Golden City Centurion Barleywine Ale

Date: 10/10/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Falling Rock

clear dark copper, fine beige head, specks of lace, sweet candied malt aroma with a nice fruity character, creamy body, rich malt flavor, good dark caramel sweetness, touch of candy character, lots of fruity character, light bitterness,

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ***/4

Bottle. Very sticky pine-sap character, too sticky and sweet for me, caramely malt. Some grapefruity bitterness towards the finish, aswell as some alcohol. Not really my style.

On tap at the Falling Rock: Pours a clear dark brown with a thin, short-lived head. Aroma is rich, sweet and hoppy, somewhat reminiscent of Oggi’s Hop Whompus. Body starts rich, caramely and toffee sweet with some molasses and a fresh grapefruity hoppy presence toward the crisp, sticky bittersweet finish. Could be a little more balanced and drinkable, but still an enjoyable big beer.

12oz bottle (I picked this up from the ’brewery’ late last year). Poured a deep and murky amber color with an averaged sized off white head. Lots of small floaters. Aromas of caramel, toffee, plums, raisins, yeast, lightly earthy and fruity. Tastes of caramel, toffee, plums, tart cherries, fruity, tobacco, wood, and raisins. Light alcohol burn in the finish. I’m going to have to go against the grain on this one, I really enjoyed this!

Draft... Pre-GABF ’06 at Falling Rock Tap House, Denver... Cloudy, very dark mahogany ale with a mid-sized, creamy, beige head. Lots going on in the aroma; molasses, dried plum and dark raisin. The flavor matches the nose. Decent balance; moderate sweetness and medium bitterness. Medium to full-bodied, sticky and chewy with lively carbonation. Rich, sweet, dark fruity finish.