Craftsman Burly Barleywine

On tap at the stone 13th fest. Cloudy copper pour, small off-white head. Cloying sweetness, caramel, brown sugar, orange, sweet bread, and a bit of spice. Very malt sided barleywine. Not one of my favorites.

Draught thanks to Mark at Craftsman. Pours with a foamy, light brown head and a hazy brown body. Aroma is boozy with a bit of wood, brown sugar and caramel, very little hops. Taste is dark fruits, brandy, brown sugar, caramel and a bit yeasty. Malt is very pronounced and fresh (tastes like a brewery on brew day smells). Smooth, slightly creamy mouthfeel. Light carbonation.

On tap at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival at Pizza Port Carlsbad. Copper color with beige head. Earthy, woody aroma with fruity and sweet malts and distinctive cherry. Cherry wood makes a nice addition to the flavor, but this one was a bit too sweet and cloying for my tastes. Finishes with spice and warming alcohol.

Tap at Strong Ale 2008. Pours orange with a big fluffy tan head. Nose is sweet and rich. Taste is sweet and really nice, though hot.

On tap at the 2008 San Diego Strong Ale Fest, this brew is brownish amber and well balanced. I liked the play between the sweetness an bitterness.

Tasted on tap at the Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival 12/5/2008. This barleywine pours a medium amber color form the tap. Large sized white foamy head. The aroma is caramel, fruity and sweet. A medium bodied barleywine. The malts are fruity and sweet. The hops are earthy and floral. Nice balance. The cheery flavors show up about mid taste and last to the finish. Very smooth tasting. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.

On tap at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival. Fluffy brown head. Dark amber color. Nice hint of tart. Decent barleywine. Not dry or sweet.

On tap at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival. Poured a deep and hazy amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of wood, citrus, and fruitiness. Tastes of citrus, wood, caramel, and fruity. The body was a little syrupy. Sweet.