Gales Conquest Ale Masterbrew

Formerly brewed at Gales
Style: Barley Wine
Horndean, England

2001, bought at Peabody’s in Boone. Thank the Beer god’s that this didn’t spend four years in a barrel, noone likes oxidiezed beer that tastes like barrel funk. Extrememly complex, no head but inviting aroma and super dessert wine characteristics. Try it with milder cheeses or next to t fire this winter. And for North Carolina, what a treat to get the only vintage that has been exported to the U.S.

Sweet, caramel smell. Not much head, orangish color. Smoky, toffee, coffee, almost like a dessert wine, but not as sweet. Somewhat syrupy. Definitely unique.

Very interesting brew. Apparently brewed in 2001, so it’s been aged for four years. This beer was completely flat. No head whatsoever. A very dark reddish brown. Strongly sweet aroma of prunes, and heavy earthy notes (like tobacco and oak). Alcohol is strong on the palate. Very syrupy and sweet. This beer is unlike any other beer I’ve had.

2001 edition. Pours a light brown color with absolutely no head. Aroma is reminiscent of wine with strong alcohol presence and a hint of vanilla. Carbonation is non-existent. A strong port influence in the flavor with bits of vanilla and alcohol. Each sip is a challenge to continue. Just the tiniest bit of liquid fills your mouth with flavor and allows for slow savoring. I can’t help but wonder what this tastes like fresh. While I love the idea of buying a pre-aged beer, I think this should’ve been aged in barrels for a few years as opposed to in the bottle. Unique and enjoyable but not something I would drink very often.

Green’s Beverage, Atlanta, Ga - 275 ml bottle. Murky, dark orange pour, absolutely no head. Plum, molasses, raisins in the aroma - a touch of baked brown bread. Sweet and sour flavor, sweet on the front end and turns sour on the back of the tongue. Hints of overripe citrus, kid’s vtamins, some orange cake mix. Quite tangy for a barley wine.

Amazing beer. Zero carbonation. Zero. Still and yet it isn’t bad at all. Deep maroon and amber. Deep. Nose is rife with grapes and cherries. This smells like a fortified wine, sherry or port. Vanilla and bourbon. Amazing nose. Flavors reflect all of these qualities with a long fruity finish that fades off into dryness. Hops only appear as an afterthought. This must have been a beautiful ale a year or two ago. Although it it is still delightful a little carbonation couldn’t hurt. Mouthfeel is immense. G

good lord. i like me a good barleywine but this hit me soooooo very wrong. i had to pass off the rest to mike. looks like communion wine or red grape juice, which, conveniently are interchangeable. smells very strong of alcohol. smells like your basic barleywine with some licorice sticks, some alcohol and some honey and berries. ruby red. thin oil in water appearance. thin and very very very very strong alcohol. tastes like i am taking shots of vanilla extract. wow. ouch. burn

No head but a beautiful kaleidoscope of amber, gold, red and brown. Red wine, honey, alcohol, grapes, brown sugar aromas. Like a ’what if they mated?...’ of port and mead. Moderate to heavily sweet, lightly acidic flavor. Moderately sweet, lightly acidic finish. Very, very dry. Medium-full body, oily texture, no carbonation. Heavy alcohol, vinous, and astringent.