Phillips Brewing Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale

Phillips Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale Bottle (photo by Canal MacWhaler)
Phillips Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale Bottle (photo by Canal MacWhaler)

Phillips Brewing of Victoria, BC recently celebrated its 14th anniversary, with that came a special beer release: Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale. This was a fairly limited production and appears to be sold out in its hometown.

The beer style isn’t listed on the bottle, online I read from the brewery’s website the following. “It’s our birthday, and we’re celebrating with a very special gorilla-sized barrel aged brew! Super Cooper was aged in freshly emptied bourbon barrels for a full year before dry-hopping. Soft malt sweetness and warm oak character from the barrel is paired with the bright kick of American hops. It’s our first Anniversary Ale with an anniversary of its own!” Personally I think it’s more of an American, er, Canadian Strong Ale.

The beer poured a slightly cloudy copper color with a white head. The aroma was sweet with glimpses of butterscotch and dankness. This beer has a solid malty base which holds up the barrel and hop flavors well.

It is very smooth, belying its high ABV and very barrel forward, the oak and bourbon combine in a vanilla flavor balanced with whiskey and a spicy hoppyness. The beer is slightly sweet but not cloying and has a bitter finish.

Phillips Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale Bottle Side Label (photo by Canal MacWhaler)
Phillips Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale Bottle Side Label (photo by Canal MacWhaler)

Super Cooper 14th Anniversary Ale is ideal to warm you on a cool fall evening and would pair nicely with dessert. This beer was excellent and I would like more. I thank Eric B for procuring and sharing this lovely bottle.

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