Dominion Millennium

Brewed by Coastal Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Annapolis, Maryland USA

12 oz bottle acquired via trade with someone. Thank you, whomever you are. Barleywines are quickly becoming my favorite style. This one is nearly perfect, in my opinion. Aroma is near perfect mix of fruit and caramel. Almost smells like a caramel apple. Flavor is hoppy, sweet and strong, yet smooth and satisfying at the same time. Kind of surprised that this is described as an English barleywine, because it is nicely hopped and almost reminds me of an IIPA. Reminds me of Old Ruffian or Old Guardian. Good stuff.

Ruby brown body with a light tan head. Great aroma, malts, yeast, some light hops. Awesome taste, hops with some light fruits. Coffee ending.

I hope this is the right beer... Different label and alcohol percentage... Any way... Bottle (2008) Poured into a snifter, glowing red, nice head that faded quickly. Sweet malt with a touch of honey aroma... Taste is a nice smooth, malty beer. Light fruit characteristics..A little citurs and cinamon.. Even though its has light body its far from weak or watery. I like it alot..

Redish color. Smell of fruit, hops and hints of spice. Tastes very sweet with grapes, grapefruit, caramel, apples, spice, nuts, wood and a nice bitterness. Not too bad of alcohol taste either. This beer definitley warms your body up. One of my favorites to date.

bottled 02/01/08. poured into a Duvel glass. pours a hazy burnt amber with a small off-white head. smells strongly of citrus with some port notes and a bit of honey. spicy floral flavor with a good deal of alcohol overpowering the lighter flavors of fruit and honey. finishes bitter with way too much alcohol. maybe with some age it would be pretty good but for now it is just way too hot.

cloudy copper color with very little white head, that faded fast and turned to a slight ring of lacing around the inside edge of the glass. hints of yeast and spices, some resin, alcohol, and vanilla in the nose. flavor starts very strong and the mellows out. the front end is bitter and hoppy, the mellowness comes out in the form of some caramel flavors before a bitter, bread and resinous aftertaste comes in. the abv is very noticable in the aftertaste, as well as providing a significant warming sensation.

[Bottle] Pours reddish-amber with a tiny off-white head. Aroma is fairly sweet, with a good deal of strawberry jam, some alcohol, a touch of lemon and notes of black pepper. Fairly typical for a barley wine, and although very nice, it falls short of being outstanding. The taste has a moderate amount of hop bitterness (perhaps below average considering this is a fresh bottle), along with alcohol again, a strong malt presence, and a faint, unidentifiable fruitiness. The mouthfeel is quite full, and the finish is long (and only marred by the strong alcohol, which hopefully will become toned down with age). After hearing rumors of this beer’s demise, i was hesitant to expect much. However, despite any declines in quality that have happened, it is still an enjoyable, reasonably priced barley wine.

Lately, I’ve been noticing a lot of port/sherry qualities in beers I’ve had. I tried sample this brew without reflecting on those but it was inevitable -- the burn, the rawness, the dark fruity finish all reminded me of a fine port. The aroma had browned apples, raisins and a touch of alcohol in it. Lots of malty caramel, slightly burnt sugar and hops to offset the ethanol’s burn. I can imagine this being amazing in a year after it has had time to mellow and become more mature. Quite drinkable and tasty now, however.