Green Flash Brandy Barrel Barley Wine

Brewed by Green Flash Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
Vista, California USA

On tap at Obriens. Color was very nice, a very reddish auburn, brown color. Aroma of caramel, fruit, apple and brandy. Some very light floral touches. Flavor of caramel, fruit, alcohol, brandy. Only slightly sweet. Some floral hops in the finish. Nice after taste.

Tap @ O’Brien’s. Poured oily brown/orange with a small, creamy off-white head. Spotty lacing. Rich, alchohol-laden aroma. Heavily caramel/brown sugar and brandy, giving it an almost maple-syrup character. While it is a sipper, its suprisingly smooth and drinkable, with a heavy, nearly non-carbonated mouthfeel. Very sweet throughout; liquer/candy-like but without being sickening. Again, more caramel and brandy, but with some faint citrus hop flavor. More pronounced earth, maple syrup, and vanilla flavors as the beer warms. No real "oakiness" but the beer has the mellowed feel of barrel-aging. It was worth the trip to a crowded O’Briens.

On tap @ Hamilton’s. Copper pour with no head. Tons of sweet caramel and bourbon/ Brandy on the nose. Flavor held sweet malt with a tinge of alcohol.

On tap at hamiltons. Hazy dark brown with suble beige head. Aroma is very barrel forward but a lot of prunish sour fruit. Flavor is almost balanced with barrel to beer ratio but comes off a little too boozy for me. Medium sweet with darker fruit and sour grapefruit and some raisins. Medium, lightly carbonated body. Drinkable at first but as it warmed up it became a bit undrinkable.

On tap at hamiltons. Dark brown with almost no head. Earthy spicy aroma. Tangy sweet brandy taste followed by a harsh alcohol finish.

On tap. Dark amber color. Some alcohol in the aroma. Smooth and easy to drink. Light sweetness. Easy to drink. Delicious.

1st Rating, Tap @ Hamilton’s during the 2nd anniversary party. Pours brownish with no head. Nose is sweet. Taste is sweet and boozy, overall tasty but overall just ok.