Hand-canned @ 21A by RD. The best BW to date. Perfect balance between sweet and hops w/ a slant towards the hops. Possibly more reminiscent of a IIPA. Floral and citrus hop presence. EXCELLENT!

On tap at the Hopyard, Pleasanton back in October. It poured a clear copper-ish red with a thin white head. It was served a bit on the cold side. The aroma is subdued – sleepy. I get sweet sugar malts, cherry hard candy, dark fruitiness that leans toward the light side and a note of alcohol. The alcohol nose is almost nothing considering the ABV. It comes off thick and viscous, how I prefer a barleywine, ushering in a brief muted wood note followed by sweet fruitiness like stewed cherries, plums and sweet dark grapes. A rye malt twang arrives about midway and plays beautifully against the fruity sweetness. Toward the finish a dryer red wine flavor wells up to aid the rye malts in fighting off the syrupy sweet fruitiness. Wow, awesome. The more I consume the more I like it.

On tap at PP Strong Ale Festival. Very sweet. Almost as sweet as a mead. I like sweet, so it’s good, but certainly not something to chug. Excellent.

Shared at the Bistro’s West Coast BA Fest, 11/10/07; Nose of caramel and fruitiness; copper orange with a small off-white head; flavor of sweet apricots and oranges!

Tasted on tap at the 2007 Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival. This Barley wine poured a light orange gold color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity, citrusy, caramel and sweet. A medium to full bodied barley wine. The malts are fruity and sweet. Touch of rye flavors, most notable at the finish. The hops are earthy. It’s a little meadish in nature and very sweet, but it works. It is a little alcohol hot, but not bad for 14.8%. Nice balance. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is sweet.