5 Seasons Blackfriars Barleywine from 5 Seasons Brewing Company

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Brewed by 5 Seasons Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Atlanta, Georgia USA

bottling
unknown

on tap
available

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Ratings Average Score ABV Style Pctl Serve in
4 3.58/5.0 3.08/5.0 11.5% 0 Snifter

Commercial Description:
Named after the once-infamous area of London on the Thames shoreline by “The Pool” where oceangoing ships laid anchor while awaiting replenishment of ships stores. Blackfriars was replete with small breweries that provisioned the ships that supplied the empire’s colonies and military. One of the more popular “ships stores” from Blackfriars was Barleywine, an incredible ale brewed to wine-like alcohol levels (hence the name). Ours is of the traditional variety, with a starting gravity of nearly 24° Plato and an alcohol content of 11.5% by volume. It is more highly hopped than most IPA’s (with a blend of five English and American varieties) but has a balanced taste and aroma due to the prodigious amount of malt present. The malts range from the legendary Maris Otter ale malt to Belgian Biscuit and Aromatic malts to recreate the unusual malt qualities of the original Barleywines of yesteryear. The high gravity fermentation produces many delicate fruity undertones that add complexity to the alcohol warmth and balanced bitterness. Barleywines are typically aged for at least six months and can be “laid down” for many years. Not highly carbonated, they are best enjoyed slowly to allow the complex flavors and aromas to unfold as the glass warms to the touch.

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hotstuff (3175), Indiana, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Oct 3, 2009

Draft at 5 Seasons Brewing Company. Ivory small smooth head with short retention, transparent body, no visible carbonation, and an orange hue. The aroma was sweet, malty, fruity, hoppy, and alcohol. Ditto for the flavor along with some added bitterness. The mouthfeel was smooth with a warming sensation and is a medium bodied Barleywine. An easy to drink Barleywine even at 11.5%ABV and nicely balanced. A sipping barleywine for sure and was definitely worth drinking.

thedm (3833), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

3.3	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.3	4/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Sep 3, 2009

This draft brew from the brewery poured a medium sized head of foamy finely sized off-white colored bubbles that were long lasting and left behind a transparent softly carbonated copper brown colored body and a fair lacing. The mild aroma was malt hop. The mouth feel was tingly at the start and strongly tingly at the finish. The flavor contained notes of malt and hops. A decent one that I would consider buying again.

Cybercat (778), Georgia, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	5/5	7/10	3/5	14/20

Aug 25, 2008

This barleywine comes out of the tap an opaque honey-brown, almost a mahogany color, with a fairly thick and fine-bubbled cream-beige head. Aroma is malty and smoky with a nutty hint and quite an alcohol nip. Flavor has a strong alcohol tang, typical of barleywines - but there is some good malty flavor with hints of smoke, caramel, sweetness and nuttiness. Mouthfeel is sharp and edgy.

kp (8400), Woodstock, Georgia, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	3/5	16/20

Aug 13, 2008

Date: 07/03/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

Appearance: clear dark red, lasting fine tan head, scattered lace,
Aroma: sweet and fruity dark caramel malt aroma with earthy hops,
Flavor: sweet dark caramel malt flavor, lots of fruity character, well balanced with an earthyness, touch of alcohol,
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Date: 07/20/2008
Mode: draft
Source: brewpub

Aroma: rich sweet fruity aroma with lots of ripe dark fruits,
Flavor: rich malt flavor, gritty brown sugar sweetness, lots of nice dark fruits, earthyness grows as it warms,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

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