Bluegrass Bearded Pats Barleywine Style Ale

Brewed by Bluegrass Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Louisville, Kentucky USA

Nearly zero carbonation upon opening. Hardly a hiss, and the biggest lack of head I have ever seen in my days. A deep ruddy brown, clear, with hardly an offwhite bubble on top. Were this any style other than a barelywine I’d have given this low marks, but I think this may bode well. The nose is promising. A complex fruity malt with a bit of fruit in the hops as well. Bootleather sort of alcohol and wood. Some very round malt indeed as I even detect some chocolate. Raspberries? The palate is flat, flat as can be, which again, is okay in this style, though not great. There’s a bit more heft in the mouth in terms of viscosity, but nothing amazing for a barleywine. The flavors are again, like the nose, above average. There’s some complexity here, a rich round malt backbone with the full gamut from caramel to toasty notes. There’s a good deal of fruit in here too, though not really a good deal of hops, so not the citrus points so much as berry, strawberry and raspberry in particular. A very dry finish for a barleywine, but certainly good. Nice balance achieved through some tannic points. Tea, a bit of mint comes in too. The aftertaste is particularly tannic. I liked this, it would have been nicer with a fuller mouthfeel and a bit more carbonation though.

Translucent amber pour with a few brown hues at the edges. Somewhat diminishing off white head with minimal lacing. Upon first whiff, this is easily identified as a product of the new school of american barleywine. Aroma is hops galore, a quick citrus kick to the head. Light melon is quickly superceded by robust orange and grapefruit pith. The nose also reveals a substantial malt backbone. The flavor is just a mess. The bittering produced by the hops is quite sour. Malt is very nutty. The citrus character now seems dry and stale. Acidity is brash and burning. After a few sips I feel like I’m developing a sore throat, that’s not good. Finishes dry and unpleasant, with a lingering granola flavor.

12 oz. brown, longneck bottle. Bottled in Dec 2006. At least they stamp their beer with a freshness date. Pours out a deep copper color, with a huge tan colored head. Aromas are mostly of Warrior or Columbus hops, some malts, and a slight vanilla note as well. Flavors are of hops right off the bat, then the malts kick in, & finally the alcohol sneaks into the scene. Decent body, thick & rich. Decent hoppy burps afterwards.

Pours a fairly dark brown with a thin white head. Aroma is a hoppy, citrusy floral one with some caramel as well. Taste is malty, but with a big citrus hop taste as well, but not really big like some. Long hop finish as well. Overall pretty good.

Bottle for $1.49 at Whole Foods in Vienna, VA. Pours a deep amber brown, with some hazy red hues and a tight beige head. Aroma is has a very prominent floral fruitiness, with some notes of caramel and freshly broken twigs. Lots of fine carbonation on the mouthfeel, perhaps too much. The very short-lived start has flavors of caramel, nuts, toasted grain, and a hint of rye. This transitions an unsweetened fruit tea and semi dry middle. The bitter finish is long, with some teabag like astringency. This is not too bad, but I think this may be a tad green. Could also use some more residual sweetness to balance it out. Mouthfeel is like a barleywine, but parts of this remind me more of an American Strong. I have a few more I plan to revisit after they sit. Good beer for the price.

Bottle. First time this has been brewed and bottled in several years. Pours a dark ruby red with a nice head and excellent lacing. The aroma is hoppy, but also has some dark malts coming through. The flavor is excellent. Plenty of dark malts, but man do the hops come flying through. The alcohol is there a bit, but it can be deceptive. Very well done David Pierce, I hope you don’t wait another 4 years to do this again.

blind taste. creamy and caramel malt aroma and taste. some say it’s an elevated amount of hops, i think it all blends nicely. also picked up some butterscotch in there somewhere around the finish. i could pick out a bit of an alcohol taste, but not in the aroma. it is well disguised in the richness of the brew. good beer, my first barleywine ale rating. it’s just a good beer

Draft At brewpub. Poured a clear dark ruby color with an average creamy head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Good sweet fruit and alcohol aroma. Medium body with a sticky texture and soft carbonation. Heavy bittersweet flavor with a long bittersweet alcohol warming finish. The beer goes well with the pizza and basketball game.