AleSmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull

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

Big Thanks to TheBeerSommelier for this amazing bottle! 2002 166/225

Rating #700

pours a deep burnt red with a small off white head which settles to a thin clear lacing... big bourbon nose with some vanilla and caramel... by the 2nd glass the aroma has faded a bit... nice round big body with a mix of fruit notes (apple, plum, dark cherry, raisins and a touch of citrus) and the bourbon barrel aging characteristics of vanilla, oak and of course bourbon.... really balanced throughout the mouth... its almost like a sweet piece of irresistible candy... the finish really takes this up a notch and brings the aged malts forward along with a burst of bourbon, vanilla, some orange peel and sweet sugar... overall this is a fantastic barrel aged barley wine that has aged incredibly well... it is full of flavor, very well balanced and offers such a pleasurable drinking experience. This is a prime example of how special craft beer has become... sublime.

2006 bottle 202 / 208. Been waiting a while to try this one. Deep brown with some ruby highlights, non translucent. Alex came up with a great description for the head, "sea foam" consistency and light beige in color. Amazing nose of caramel, toffee, raisins, dates, vanilla, bourbon and oak. Some espresso and faint booze in there as well. Flavor also held a ton of caramel, toffee and hints of bourbon and dried dark fruits. Some slight astringency on the finish.

Got to share with with Drink4Satan and Allday drinker, and it was amazing. Pours a dark nutbrown with a medium sudsy head. The nose was jam packed with malt, biter orange peel, chocolate and sweeet burbon. As you sip on it the flavor is nice and smokey and full of dark fruits. You can really taste the burbon in the after taste. overall it was an amazing brew with great carbonation and full of booze.

2006 bottle, big thanks to Dennis. Pours a hazy medium chestnut with a thin soapy head. Big, malty nose. Oranges, bourbon, and lighter chocolate tones. Flavor is really impressive...the malt is not overdone and is fully balanced by a smoky, somewhat bitter element. I love that smoky finish in Alesmith beers. Berries and some lighter fruits really shine in this. Bourbon is pretty well integrated and not overdone. This is in the vein of Bullfrog’s Old Toad, an English-style barleywine for sure. A little too much bitter heat, almost peppery, coming through.

Bottle shared by northenbrews at the Sept. 09 Metro Detroit tasting. Opaque ruby-copper pour with a dense white head. Very intense dark fruit aroma with lots of hot bourbon and charred oak. There’s also some notes of pepper, pine and molasses. The flavor is also dominated by dark fruit, black pepper and pine with lots of vanilla and bourbon. Wonderfully balanced, buttery, rich and just amazing. Creamy full body with soft carbonation.

Metro Tasting. Big Thanks to Northernbrews for bringing this one. This was the white whale on my barleywine list. Poured orange brown with very little head. Aroma was huge bourbon, rich malt and big dark fruits. Taste was much the same, raisin, prune, bourbon, barrel. This has really well integrated and everything contributed to a great lasting finish. Just kept going in the mouth. This has aged very well.

750ml bottle from ’07, bottle number 18/449 Courtesy of BeerandBlues2. Color is a near solid brown with a small tight tan head. Aroma is rich and sweet. This is a full bodied brew with a rich bold finish that has huge flavors of vanilla, dried fruits and whisky. Overall its a wonderful brew with amazing flavors.

750ml bottle ’07 18/449(Courtesy of BeerandBlues2) at RSRIZZO’s tasting 8/9/09-Pours a dark ruby brown with a small tan head. Aroma of bourbon, fruit, and alcohol. Taste of the same with some caramel coming across. This full bodied brew is by far the best Barley Wine I have ever had. KICKS ASS.