Alaskan Barley Wine Ale (Big Nugget)

Brewed by Alaskan Brewing Co
Style: Barley Wine
Juneau, Alaska USA

Bottle. I had high expectations for this one. Nice looking poor, even for a style that I normally like the appearance of. Aroma of sweet malt, fruit, chewy caramel, flowers, sugar and alcohol. Nice. Something a bit ood about the palate in the beginning; not bad, just a bit unusual. Flavor was smooth and well blended, although some age would be helpful on this one (2008 bottle). Was a bit hot, but nothing that was overly detracting. A little less sweet than the aroma, and a bit more floral and fruity. Some caramel, with a moderate hop finish. Probably should have aged this, but it was still really nice.

22oz. bottle. Year 2008. Pours a tight tan head, over a clear dark amber body, with attractive lacing....nose of sweet malts with bread, yeasts....taste is initially heavy malt sweetness gradually balanced by a lingering hop bitterness, with tones of pine and grapefruit, alcohol is definately present....mouthfeel is rich and chewy. I think this needs to age to get to best form.

Bottle of the 2008. Candied fruits explode out of the glass followed by baking spices. Taste is sweet and not super hoppy, but still with a firm hop presence.

Bottle shared with beachbum25. Poured murky red in color with nice tan head. nice malty aroma along with alcohol. Taste was nice, with some dark malt, brown sugar, hops, and sweet. Thanks Jim for sharing.

Bottle shared by beachbum25. Thanks JIm. Muddy red in color, decent head. Alcohol on the nose... along with a stong malty presence. Taste is alcohol, hops, stong malt backbone, and some brown sugar. Sweet rich sugar. Texture was average for a barleywine. Not to thick not to light. Nice BW. Thanks Jim!

Pours a deep red with a perfect little head that forms a few seconds after pouring has ceased. The aroma is a lot hoppier than the flavor, and as well there are also candy sugars, a little hops (not too much, just right), brown sugar, molasses, brandy, and perfume. Simply a great drinking experience. I was a little skeptical at first about the $8.99 price for a bomber at Beverages & More!, but as it turns out, those lads at Toronado got it right about this one... Overall, world-class.

pours a nice chestnut with thin white head. great lacing. huge aroma of sweet malt and alcohol, hops hits too. flavor is chewy sweet malt and heavy hops. all in good balance. again, great chewiness. finish is hop and alcohol. beautiful.

From a 22 oz bottle this poured a rich and very clear garnet color with a fat white head and good heavy lacing. Nose of alcohol, with ripe fruit. Rich creamy mouthfeel. Flavor is of caramel malts and some citrus hops, but generally this is sweet. SA little bitterness in the finish. I have a feeling this will get better with age but it is good now as well.