Fish Tale Leviathan Barleywine (Batch 5+)

Brewed by Fish Brewing Company/Leavenworth Beers
Style: Barley Wine
Olympia, Washington USA

12oz. bottle. Sweet, fruity aroma, some light cidery and flowery notes alongside brown sugary malts and peppery alcohol fire. Deep amber-brown color with a fine, slight head. Darkly sweet and citric flavor, very well balanced with fruity, sugary malts and yeast attributes partially tamed by the floral hops and ever-present alcohol. Very smooth on the palate with a massively full body. Would likely be a bit more interesting after further cellaring, but quite satisfying as is. Thanks to Eric for the chance to sample this one, I’d been curious about it.

12oz bottle via trade with heemer77 - Thanks Eric! - Pours copper and fairly clear with a short tan head that fades quickly. Aroma of caramel, some cherry, a little peach and a bit of alcohol. Flavor is malty. Caramel, roasty, a bit of peach, and a bit of oak. Palate is smooth but big bodied and a little chewy at the end. A nice barley wine. Very drinkable and smooth.

pours red color with no head. taste is sweet, not really hoppy. sort of oaky flavored. this isnt a bad barely wine, but im not sure its something i would seek out again when telling someone to go to a store in seattle for me. quite frankly i was expecting alot more due to the high ratings of the other version of this.

Light copper in color with a small fine white head. Carbonation is mild. Aroma is fruity,sweet and malty. Roasted malts are present with a trace of alcohol in the finish.

Crimson amber color. Light carbonation followed by a thin oily head and no lacing to speak of. The nose is chewy, sweet and strong with alcohol. Some light sherry notes and a very complex malt symphony. The flavor is a bit bitter, lightly roasty and rich with caramel notes. This is more comparable to the barrel aged version than the imperial stout. Finishes full bodied and very refreshing. Good beer. Needs to breath and warmed to around 55ºF before drinking to thoroughly enjoy.

Wonderfully hazy and orangish-brown in color with a wispy dust overlay filling in for the head. Appearance and aroma serve as a diversion from what will soon ensue, however, at this stage, we’re to believe that this one’s dynamically motivated, producing wafts of red currant, black cherries, dates, prunes, caramel, toffee, brandy, detectable alcohol and subtle hop bouquets. Whimsical quaffs extend horizontally to the tongue’s natural direction. Palate is characterized by a drive-by bittering presence. Quite possibly the quickest departure and cleanliest palate feel in the genre. Scant flavor profiles allude to Brown Cow caramel chews, loitering pine traits, cherry juice, herbal honey and rose tea. Balance is simply pathetic and all out of sorts, finishing with a clean hops sprits and the slightest hint of sugar indoctrinated ruby red grapefruit juice. The word "disappointment" doesn’t even come close.

Bottle, Batch 5. Very hazy orange with a solid amount of sediment and a very light cap of white head. Rich aroma of plums, grapefruit, caramel, a little smoke, and alcohol. Flavors were in-line with the aroma, with a nice presence from the bittering hops. Somewhat chewy on the palate, and lots of bitter hoppiness throughout. Finish was long, warm, and full of dark fruits and bitterness. Another good offering from Fish Tale, albeit not their best.

12oz. bottle, batch 5. Hazy light orange-brown, thin film of head. Vinous notes, alcohol, sherry, and dark fig aroma. Large dark fruit malt presence, with some phenolic smoky tinges. Chocolate and smokey in the finish. Mouthfeel is medium heavy and fairly chewy.