Barley Johns Anniversary Ale

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

Enjoyed at the brewpub earlier today, where they are calling it an ’Irish Strong.’ I’ll give ’em that - it is more like an English barleywine than an Irish Red. Dark brown, almost black, but when held up to the light it carries a purplish/burgundy hue to it that reminds me of black currants. Served with about a quarter inch of tan foam. Decent lacing. Sweet aroma, very strond malt with chocolate and a hint of alcohol. Very full flavor - toffee malt, chocolate, dried plum, and currant. A floral hop bitterness is perceived in the finish. this lingers in the aftertaste with some earthy maple. Full bodied, gently carbonated, smooth and thick. So very rich - this is a sipper.

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.

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.

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!

Lots of sweet malt and caramel in the aroma.Pours dark brown with a reddish tint.Very little tan head.Lots of caramel malt in the flavor.Thin mouthfeel with a caramel malt finish.

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.

sweet with a malt dominance. enjoyable and one of the better ones i had in this session.

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.