AleSmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull

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

’07 bottle, 21 of 449: Murky amber pour with a minimal cream head. Nose is heavy on the oak, though not much in the bourbon department...some vanilla bean is noted along with some floral notes and a prominent candy apple character. Very nice body...silky with good carbonation. Flavor has a distinctive caramel malt base with some vanilla, coconut, dark fruits and oak present. CLASSIC!

I was sort of blown away that emacgee was sharing this one. Red colored beer with a small slightly off-white head. Lots of vanilla and toffee along with some caramel and raisin in the aroma. I get more fruit such as pear along with strong vanilla in the flavor. This one seems a bit under-carbonated but it’s still a solid beer.

2006 bottle generously shared by emacgee. Deep reddish amber pour with an off-white head. Looking good. Fruity bourbon aroma, but as usual the bourbon takes over too much for my liking. Malty and good, but I’m pretty sure I would prefer the regular Numbskull to the barrel aged. Still a damn fine beer.

Thanks much to Ethan for sharing this bad boy! Handsome pour, dark but not dusky, with an inviting cream colored head. The nose is potent, with the barrel characteristics immediately notable, but it doesn’t seem too overwhelming. Initial vanilla flavors seem promising, but like others at the tasting I felt it didn’t measure up to the regular version. Mouthfeel was a bit chalky, possibly some oxidation creeping in. Unpleasant tannic note in the finish.

Thanks to Ethan for busting this out! Vintage 2006, bottle # 161. I actually preferred the regular old numbskull. Light brown pour with some reddish hues. Oak, caramel, and apple on the nose. Creamy mouth feel, full bodied. Vanilla, oak, light bourbon, cream, and caramel.

Thanks Smokepot23. Pours a dark copper brown with a one finger creamy tan head. The nose is earthy, caramel, mild oak, vanilla, some tannins, peaty, shows more age than it should. The flavor is rich, vanilla, tannic, oaky, caramel, waxy hop feel. I actually much preferred the regular version of this.

2006 bottle shared by RCL - many thanks my friend. Pours an enticing dark red brown with only a wisp of a while lacy head. The aroma is forceful and complex, with dates, Madeira, caramel malt, and vanilla. My first sip of this was almost overwhelming because it was so smooth and well presented. Flavor has notes of vanilla, bourbon, floral hops, maple butter, and caramel. This beer is silky smooth with substantial carbonation that balances out the sweet and hoppy flavors. A lively, exciting barley wine that is truly a pleasure to drink.

Bottle of the 2006. Superb aroma. Tons of barrel characteristics; coconut, bourbon; like the caramelized sugar top of a fine macaroon. Flavor was similar and a bit drier than I was expecting, but still superb.