Berkshire Holidale

Brewed by Berkshire Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
South Deerfield, Massachusetts USA

2005 Vintage. Poured a clear amber color with a beige head. The aroma was malty and sugary. Like powdered sugar and a touch of banana. The flavor is malty and fruity with a very light spice on the finish.

Pours reddish brown that starts with a heavy beige head that disappears as fast as it came. The body is clear with dark pockets, the nose is fantastic. Sweet fruit with a candy rum soaked back drop. Intense raisins and a vinos quality is very present. The taste is raisin, dark plum, black cherry, a very malty presence that really fight to be balanced out with the hops in the beer. The alcohal is faint in this brew, it starts sweet with the alcohal infused raisin flavor on the palate then moves to a berry fruitiness and finishes bitter. So many rides this beer takes you on and I can’t wait to take another trip.

2008 version - pours a one-finger white head that fades to a ring and leaves only traces of lace. Nose has hints of spice. Nice, nearly clear amber color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Starts sweet, spicy and some alcohol, finish is spice, alcohol and some hops. Their 2002 version was better, maybe it is to late to drink this even though the ABV is 9.5%. $2.99 for a 22oz bottle from Beverage Warehouse Winooski, VT.

2004 bottle and a good one at that. This one reminded me of the classic Englisg style barley wines in that it was sweet and relatively flat. Tastes of fruit and anise were very prevelant. While this falls a bit short, I’m hoping they attempt this style again for 2005.

A fine East coat BW. Like others from this region very sweet taste and aroma. Lots of spice that goes with the season and fits this style. 2003 bottle.

2004 bottle. Hazy copper pour with a medium off white head. Sweet aroma, very malty, I smell banana runts. Kinda reminds me of a belgian by the aroma. Licorice is dominating on this brew. Sweetness in the middle, with a blast of hop to finish. Not my favorite, although hard to match up to the last barleywine I enjoyed (St. Ambroise 2001 vintage)

2004 Bottle. Aroma is quite sweet with licorice hints and some piney hops. Sort of a rubbery/caramel aroma. Not particularly like a BW. Moderately hazy copper/amber color with an ivory head. I get lots of licorice with a charcoal campfire maltiness flaro in the middle finishing with some aggressive hopping. I typically like my barleywines a little more vinous. I’d like to see the hops mellow in this after aging a few years. Unfortunately, this beer has a tough act to follow (st. ambroise 2001).

bottle. drink while watching presidential debate spoofs on snl... warms ya up... sweet alcoholy mix... gets ya ready for the cold winter weather