Barley Johns Anniversary Ale

Brewed by Barley Johns Brew Pub
Style: American Strong Ale
New Brighton, Minnesota USA

So they tell me it’s a Strong Irish Ale. I prepare my liver. Nearly a black color with no head. Strong, sweet malt aroma. What the heck kind of Irish Ale is this? Big malt and roasted malt flavors with barley any hops. A little fresh barley mixed in. Well, it’s not a session beer to say the least, but interesting.

On tap at the brewpub in New Brighton. Very dark black pour, thick mocha colored head, thick lacing. Very earthy aroma, slightly fruity - hard to place exactly what it is. Falvor profile includes prunes, molasses, raisins and a hint of Christmas spices. Very thick mouthfeel. Excellent.

Draft at the brewpub on Barley John’s 8th Anniversary (3/16/08). 6.6%. Poured a cloudy brown-orange color. The head was off white. Earthy aromas of moss and dried leaves greeted the nose. Smelled a bit like Autumn. This earthiness carried over into the flavor. I tasted wet stone, fall leaves, and green leafy hops. Dry on the tongue with moderate hop bitterness that peaked at about 6 out of 10. Not flashy, but a nice beer nonetheless.

Extremely Dark Brown/Borderlined Black Coloring with No Head. A bit Intimidating at First Glance. Roasts...And Nice Malt Hits. Complexity of Barley/Hops and Malt..Alongside the Strength of the Alcohol Within Its Chambers... Like Many of Barley John’s Brews...Unique.

Doesn’t look like an Irish Ale, doesn’t smell, doesn’t taste, but that’s what they call it... Very dark, muddy brown, slim cocoa-colored head. Aroma is toasty, rich malty, never sweet, rather dry, actually..deep and dark. Taste: Luscious, dark fruits, tangy, mahogany feel, little hops, thick malt, but never a predominant sweetness, not cloying, not sweet...an interesting creation, and very tasty. Some caramel and carob...the more I taste, the more I like it...very tasty. Cheers to more years of Barley John’s!

On tap at the brewpub. Light smokey tooth aroma, with some meaty grain and wafting brown sugars. Reddish ochre pour, with creamy tan head. Sweet barnyard ester flavors, rich with hazlenut toast, fried breads and glowing wheat cream cereal, hot. A lot more flavor than I expected from and Irish. Has a good deal of vibrant fruits from plum juice to reduced blood orange, mingling with the heavy hand of malt. Hops float over the background. Nicely attenuated and creates a drinkable sensation over oakiness. Smacks clean. Nicely done.

Hand bottle received in Mystery swap 2.0. Alot of malt to this one, pours with a slight head, and dark color. Some dark fruit to this one, but malt dominates, an enjoyable brew! Almost tastes like a port wine.

Oak wood brown. Aromas of caramel and chocolate frosting. Plastic sugars and rye bread flavor. Notes of maple syrup and molasses. No discernible alcohol. Smooth, sweet palate. No complaints.