 Ansset13 (120), Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
May 15, 2008
Probably one of the most difficult ales to rate. Very complex, and almost a chameleon ale, that changes character with uncanny ability. From the nose on down to the palate, this extremely complex ale changes its character from sniff to sniff and sip to sip. It reveals on a revolving basis tones of maple sugar to smoky wood to vanilla to alcohol and on through several more complex and lighter attributes. The only thing that can be counted on is that once again Dogfish Head has brewed another winner.
sebletitje (129), Tampa, Florida, USA
Jul 17, 2008 Pours amber/copper/red. Thick whire head.
Aroma is malty and vanilla with undertone of oak.
The beer gained a lot by getting closer to room temperature and gained a stronger smokey note. Mouthfeel was filled with malt, sweet vanilla and tingly on the tongue. The 11% slowly sneak up on you, unnoticed.
A great mix of flavors, and another hit by this excellent brewery.
502Flavors (159), Kentucky, USA
Jul 17, 2008 12 oz. into shaer for lack of sniffer. Rich brown pour with reddish hue and big pillows off-white head. Aroma is mostly alcohol and sweet malt but pretty tame compared to what I expected. Flavor was very funky at first: woody smoky with a little soy flavor, sweet malt, and more. Medium bodied on the palate but with as full and dense a mouth feel as a medium bodied brew could produce. Overall: unique approach to barley wine, but probably not worth the price in my opinion. Whatever... try it.
MuttyD (38), Cambridge, USA
Jul 15, 2008 Pours a dark amber/brown color with a thin white head. Aroma is of vanilla, maple, and alcohol. Flavor consists of sweet fruits, maple, sugar, and oak/vanilla. Alcohol is present throughout.
DocHop (173), College Park, Maryland, USA
Jul 14, 2008 Pours a dark, amber honey with a small but dense khaki head that rings the glass. Delicious honey, malt, and maple nose aroma , smells very sugary sweet with some fruit and yeast too. Heavy beer. The texture is very smooth and creamy. Excellent malty start, the middle turns a little earthy with a dry tartness, but then some of the maple syrup flavor brings back a sweet, lingering finish. Hides the 11% ABV very well.
djtimeless (31), USA
Jul 13, 2008 Pours out dark brown with some head. Taste is sweet and malty. With just a little hops. Nice balance, not a hopped up Barley Wine. The alcohol burn is barely present. However it is a strong 11%. Good beer.
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