Marin Old Dipsea Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine Style Ale

Brewed by Marin Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Larkspur, California USA

Gad! What a day of treats! Starting with the Hair of the Dog dock sale at 0555hrs., then one heck of a tasting in the evening! Yet another zymurgistic delight courtesy of, "hannont"!! Colour... dark brown with no head at all. Nose... very sweet with brown sugar out the wahzoo! Palate... dark brown sugar, molasses, toffee galore, dark corn sirup, and a lovely long coat for my soft palate and throat to wear this winter!

2008 vintage on-tap at Bistro’s Barrel Aged Festival 09. Honey brown color with a light haze and small head. The aroma is just bursting with rich caramel, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar and dried fruit. The flavor is similar and very smooth; warming but not really hot. Full bodied with low carbonation. The oak is subtle but the overall impression is decidedly very influenced by the beer’s time in the barrel. Very nicely done.

22oz bottle from Joey. Orange label with no bottle number... Pours a mostly opaque muddled caramel brown with a quickly dissipating light beige head... Aroma of semi-assertive bourbon and wood with added notes of caramel/toffee... Flavors are of a similar tone. Sweet overall with a light spicy bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel and body has somewhat thinned out. Still pretty solid overall albeit somewhat boozy.

On tap at Taps grand opening. This ’06 aged brew was one of the best, perhaps the best, I’ve had. Excellent, excellent palate to go with a smooth malt base and solid hops. Amazing.

Heaven Hills version from a generous person. Pours dark brown with a small head. Aroma is caramel, bourbon, wood and fruity. Flavor is wood, caramel, oak, leather and booze. Medium bodied and fairly easy to drink but a bit hot.

22 oz bottle. I think this was the Heaven Hill version. Foggy brown with a ring and a dot of foam. Nose is caramel, cardamon, orange peel, ginger and whiskey; beautifully integrated. Soft and milky with a slight tang and alcohol warming. Taste is bourbon, raisin, caramel and a touch of brown sugar. Smooth, dry finish with vanilla, wood and grass.

Thanks Mike for sharing! Bottle pours dark amber color with off white head. Aroma is booze, caramel, and oak. Viscous mouthfeel. Flavor is ash,wood, bourbon, the caramel was like it was made by a candy maker, and finished with the bourbon flavor. I liked the finish the best. I got a sense of the bourbon and what it tasted like as it melded with the other flavors. Just brilliant!

650ml bottle
Thanks to Mike I think for cracking this open though it could have been someone else. This is my first experience with Marin and hopefully not my last. While bourbon barrel aging big beers is not novel when done right the results are fantastic. This is no exception though I might place it just short of world class.

Aroma / Appearance - Ruby red with little carbonation the body is a rich blend of bourbon, vanilla, and oak. I picked up a bit of something a bit off that came through despite the heat of the alcohol and barrel.

Flavor / Palate - Tasting like warm caramel icing followed by a rinse of bourbon this is big and complex. The hops have taken a back seat to other aspects including in the warm but smooth finish. A decent example of how to properly age a barleywine I think this one has potential to make a name for itself.