AleSmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
San Diego, California USA

Bottle shared by ajm at the 09er. Two BA AleSmith offerings at one tasting made it unreal. I may never recover. Pours a very deep shade of amber with a creamy off-white head. Looks gorgeous. Smells of wood, vanilla, and bourbon. Tastes of hops, caramel, bakers cocoa, and dark fruit. The description "velvety" comes awfully close to capturing the essence of this beer.

Bottle from Lagunitasfan. Great stuff Tim, and I thank you. Nose of oak and distant hops. Great caramel malt and toffee, light chocolate and warm hop juice. A pretty sublime barley wine.

750ml bottle 2007, #244 of 449. Dark brown pour with an off-white head. Big sweet malty aroma, lots of ripe dark fruit, toffee. Sweet flavor as well, slightly woody, very rich and decadent with a litle alcohol warmth in the finish. Tasty shit.

2006, bottle 94/208. Pours a hazy chestnut color, capped with a small off white head. Aroma of bourbon, vanilla, caramel, wood, hops and spice. Hefty bourbon and wood hit the palate first and are gradually overtaken by huge hops, that linger for a fairly long finish. Velvety smooth, with little carbonation. Nice beer, with lots of oak and bourbon.

2007 750ml. Thanks to TheRealBastard for sharing. Bottle from Tim as a X-mas gift and drank in Las Vegas. Pour is murky brown with off white head. Aromas of burbon, oak, roasted malt, and some hops. Flavor is dominant of burbon. Some hop and vanilla notes are also present. This one is deffinetly a slow sipper. I thought it got much better as it warmed.

Bottle shared by badbeer. Thanks. Poured a murky orange-brown color with a soapy off white head. Typical barrel aged beer smells such as bourbon, vanilla, and butter supported by dried fruits and brown sugar. Medium bodied and decidedly fruity with pineapple, plum, and orange flavors. These fruits had a definite soak-in-bourbon flavor imparted by the barrel. The alcohol had a warming effect and was somewhat raw at times, ala vodka.

2007 bottle. Pours a deep chestnut brown with thin caramel colored head. It’s got caramel malt, notes of creamy chocolate, dark fruits, vanilla, dates, nuts, and hints of oak and bourbon. The bourbon is quite mild and reserved. The mouthfeel is really nice, silky and full. Well done, not surprisingly. This is a must try barleywine.

2007 bottle, courtesy BrotherGrendel. Pouring a lightly hazy chestnut to mahogany brown color, this amazing brew is topped with a small, frothy head of khaki colored foam that displays great retention. Sticky flares and spots of lacing mark the glass well. The aroma is intoxicating. Notes of caramel, milk chocolate, figs and dates greet a smooth, vanilla laden, sweet bourbon overtone with open arms. Flavors show notes of nougat, chocolate, caramel, toffee, dark fruits, and vanilla, all of which just soak up the bourbon kissed oak like a sponge. The term milkshake would not be hyperbole when describing the mouthfeel, which is truly full and viscous, with the texture of liquid suede. At the end of a night of some damn fine brews, this one blew the others out of the water like a battleship would sink a dingy. Just a fantastic barleywine that is supremely integrated with the barrel. This is perhaps better than both versions of Angels Share and BA Old Stock.