 Indra (1845), Prairie Village, Kansas, USA
Aug 9, 2002
Deliciously heady, flowery, fruity and spicy aroma, with a tinge of alcohol. Medium orange-amber color, with a slight haze and a wonderfully creamy, fine-bubbled head. The construction of this beer is something of a marvel. For being as huge as this is, it’s so very mellow in character. The components are rather easy to break down (the vanilla, maple, caramel, etc.) but are simply blended masterfully. Even the timing is just right, what flavor is happening when and where, and in conjunction with what else. Finish sees a nice bit of warmth. This would have been so easy to overdo in one area or another. Consider me impressed.
JMFS (6), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
does not count  Oct 7, 2008 Reminiscent of a tipple of warm maple syrup, scotch whiskey and Maredsous (10...12?) barrel aged to perfection. I do have to say the smoothness of this beer stands out in comparison to more coarse barley wines.
Pawola22 (101), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Oct 5, 2008 12 oz bottle.
Pours a particle filled, murky redish/mohagony with no head. Minimal lace. Complex aroma dominated by a sweet malt and a Belgian yeast strain. Notes of berries, caramel, sweet baking vanilla, pancakes and maple syrup, alcohol/whiskey, and smoked roasts. Smooth and full bodied. Taste is initially sweet and full of caramel, maple syrup, sharp/tart raspberries and raisons. Then moves to a pronounced roast/smokiness that I love in a barley wine. Finishes clean, smooth, warm, and oaky. Not really bitter, which is nice. Overall, this is fantastic. It has the sweetness of a Belgian strong ale, a little bit of scotch whiskey, and a unique roastiness that makes this a great take on the style and a favorite from DFH. Props.
thickfreakness (107), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 5, 2008 From 5/10/08. Bought a 4-pack of this today at Grapevine in Austin for $16.
Poured at cellar temp into my Duvel tulip. It pours a nice dark amber, actually reminiscent of maple syrup, with a beige head that slowly settles to a thin layer of foam. It leaves some pretty nice lacing on the glass as I drink. The smell is totally dominated by the peat smoked malts and oak aging for me. I get a hint of vanilla and some alcohol in the nose too. The taste is similar to the smell with lots of peat and oak. As it warms it gets sweeter (maybe finally the maple syrup?) and the malts start to shine through but the peat and oak just aren’t really doing it for me. Its got a very nice thick mouthfeel that is not unexpected. Overall its not extremely drinkable for me with all the smokiness and peat and I wish I had only purchase a single but its worth trying.
yankeefan21 (72), USA
Oct 3, 2008 Bottle: Pours a nice amber with a thin off white head. Alcohol and malt are present on the nose. I let my first mouthful sit on my tongue to enjoy all the complex tastes. The vanilla and maple are evident on the edges of the tongue while the middle and roof of the mouth are aware of the malty alcohol. I was actually quite surprised at how quickly this barley wine disappeared from my glass - dangerously drinkable for something with 11% ABV. I like it a lot and would get it again. Don’t bother letting this age, though.
Rynoplasty (254), Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Pours deep amber brown with a thin white head. Aroma is big and malty, with hints of caramel and alcohol. Taste is also big and malty with some nice caramel flavor and a very slight after warming. Very good.
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