Free State Old Backus Barleywine

Brewed by Free State Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Lawrence, Kansas USA

This is actually my rerate, even though I haven’t put it in the computer. From a growler filled February 3rd, 2005 vintage Pours a cloudy orange with a short lived 1/2 finger beige head, fading to a ring--but this can be attributed to the age of the growler. However a small creamy film does rouse when agitated. Aroma of raisins, brown sugar, molasses, tobacco, some type of sipping spirit (like brandy or cognac or scotch), pine, wood, smoke, toffee, bittersweet chocolate sauce--so much going on here, and fairly sticky. Flavor is earth, caramel and toffee, and has sweet pipe tobacco and soy in the finish. After the finish my mouth dries out and some lingering remnants of bitterness return for a while. Alcohol is masked quite well, but some warmth can be felt going down my throat. Minimal carbonation, full sticky body. I think this becomes my highest rated beer. Due to the sweetness, however, about one snifter at a time is all I can handle.

Very close to perfect. Aroma and taste are pleasant and sweet. The 10.5% alcohol isn’t over powering because of the complex, extraordinary flavor that assault your mouth and sinuses. As an avoid barley wine fan, this is one of the best.

*** Rerate, 6/10/2007, after having had the entire vertical of this fine beer, along with many additional samples of several of my favorite years, and further exploration of the barleywine style, I’m going to give this is a much deserved bump up. Re-rate reflects my overall rating for the best of the various years.***

2005 on tap @ FS; pours a beautiful plumish mahogony with only a slight but persistent thin head lacing around the rim. Amazing aroma of brandy, plum, raisin, caramel and an assortment of other dried fruits. An excellent smooth finish that lingers on the tongue and lets the flavor palate sink in. This is a barleywine that others should be judged by; highly recommended!

Murky brownish with a hint of orange. A skim of creamy head. Aroma is beautiful. It reminds me of Haines Bigger Hammer Barley Wine. Smells wonderful. Sweet malt, awesome hop presence, not citrusy, not extreme, just a nice spicy hint in the aroma. I’m excited to taste. Mmm.... so malty, very flavorful. The malts are very caramel and a bit fruity, and the hops bring a good resinous texture and a bit of a hint of citrus on the finish. I like how this feels aged. The hops are definitely there keeping it bitter, but not extreme. It’s a great balance. Thanks to Doppelganger for leaving it with me. As far as barleywines go, this is a good, balanced one for my palate. The only thing I find I wish would be in there is more of the dried fruit flavors. I like that in a barleywine. A great one for #200

Huge thanks to Tjthresh for bringing this growler to the tasting. Aroma is loaded with buttery malt, tons of faded pine hops, brown sugar and dried fruit notes that blend well. Color is cloudy, mahogany-brown with a thin, off-white head. Great, sweet caramel malt flavor with noticeable hops and just loaded with dried fruit and a light touch of alcohol. Chewy texture, full bodied. Man am I a sucker for aged barleywine!

DLD06 Growler 2002 sample from Tjthresh (thanks dude!). Deep murky brown/amber with not much carbonation (to be understood). Lots of dark fruit, spices (cinnamon), cherri, caramel, and oxidized malt (a good thing). Flavors are spicy (cinnamon), caramel apples, sweet plums and the overall oxidized note. big body here-surupy and thick/slick. Pretty damn good, but i definately want to try it fresh when i head through Lawrence.

Growler (2002) : Courtesy of tjthresh at the Hampton Inn Tasting (Saturday). Mellow caramel, toffee, banana bread, and subtle hops. Pours a mostly transparent orangish-brown with a minimal off-white head. Lots of caramel, hints of banana bread, and a touch of toffee. Finishes with a mellow citrus hoppiness and a touch of oxidation (a positive in this beer). Big sticky and syrupy mouthfeel. You can tell it’s definitely mellowed with age.

Slighty hazy warm color with a small layer of off white head. Initially a lot of grapefruit hop character, but as the glass warms, the hops ebb considerably to the point they seem to be almost absent. Tons of dried fruit and caramel notes. Flavor started out a little rough. Quite a bit of bitterness, a lot of sweet. But halfway through the glass things just seemed to click. Maybe it needs to be warmer and have the even modest level of carbonation dissapated. At any rate, the last half of the glass was great. Leathery dried fruit, smooth port like sweetness, a bit of tartness to clean up the finish. A barleywine that kind of snuck up on me, and I dig it.