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Free State Old Backus Barleywine 3.96 146

Free State Old Backus Barleywine

Percentile
99
overall

bottling
unknown

on tap
available

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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
1464.01/5.03.96/5.0Winter10.5%95.8Snifter
Commercial Description:
The huge amounts of both hops and malt that go into this beer necessitate a long conditioning period to mellow its intense flavors. The Old Backus contains just over 2,000 lbs of malt and 55 lbs of hops. the Original gravity is 25.6 °P/1092 which contributes to an alcohol content of 8.4% by wt. and 10.5% by vol. The bitterness level is 150 ibu. This is a tremendously complex beer that should be savoured slowly and in moderation. It will continue to change with age as it is served unfiltered and is continuing to mature.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 Ungstrup (15381), Frederiksberg, Denmark
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
May 21, 2005  
An unclear copper colored beer with no head. The aroma is very sweet and very strong of overripe fruits and prunes. The flavor contains notes of alcohol, overripe fruit, grapes, and prunes, leading to a dry hoppy end. Great flavor.


 Papsoe (15103), Frederiksberg, Denmark
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/515/20
Jul 30, 2008  
(Hand bottle 65 cl) Courtesy of Storm. Pours an almost clear reddish brown with a beige head. Aroma of nuts, caramel, overripe fruit and alcohol. Quite full-bodied with sweet caramel, yeast, overripe fruit and aroma hops. Rather bitter finish. 260708


 yespr (12404), Copenhagen O, Denmark
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Jul 27, 2008  
22 fl bottle. Pours clear and golden dark brown with a tan lacing head. Smooth vanilla and chocolate malt aroma. Flavour is solid caramel and liqourice and towards chocolate. Dark and roasted malt and liqourice flavour. Ends warming and roasted. Great.


 kp (8500), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/515/20
Sep 1, 2007    Updated: Mar 8, 2009

Date: April 18, 2007
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting
Vintage: 2003
Appearance: muddy brown, scant head
Aroma: huge sweet dark caramel malt aroma with lots of dark fruits and earthy hops
Flavor: rich sweet and fruity flavor, lots of dark fruit character, winey maple sherry sweetness, light tartness, some muddy yeasyness from the bottom from the growler adds even more fruity character

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 4.1/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***+/4

Date: February 25, 2009
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub
Vintage: 2005
Appearance: cloudy dark amber, wispy beige head, drippy lace
Aroma: dark caramel aroma with a robust earthyness
Flavor: sweet dark caramel flavor, touch of fruity character, big earthyness, light bitterness

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4


 KimJohansen (7135), Copenhagen V, Denmark
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Jul 29, 2008  
Clear brown with tiny beige head. Sweet vinious aroma with caramel, ripe fruit, chocolate and roasted malt. Sweet flavor with bourbon, roasted malt, caramel and roasted malt.


 argo0 (6978), Washington DC, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Oct 3, 2005  
(GABF05, 2004 version) Beige head atop a clear nut brown body. Aroma is moderately sweet, caramel, fig, orange, floral. Taste is moderately sweet, caramel, raisin/fig, floral. Medium body with a bit of alcohol burn in the finish, but otherwise pretty smooth.


 bu11zeye (5621), Frisco, Texas, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20
Mar 14, 2005  
(Tap at brewery) Pours a lighly hazy deep mahogany body with a small beige head. Aroma of bread, caramel, fruit, alcohol, and spices. Flavor of caramel, some fruit, corriander, and raisins. Reminded me of a vintage English ale. Smooth, somewhat slick and oily mouthfeel with a warming sensation in the finish.


 hopdog (5611), Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Feb 29, 2008  
Growler acquired in trade with mreusch (thanks!). Poured a medium and cloudy / muddy brownish color with a very small sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, dark fruits, and a little earthy. Tastes of caramel, dark fruits, toasted nuts, and brown sugary sweet. Alcohol content well hidden.



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