Haines Bigger Hammer Barley Wine

19-Jan-08 (Draft: Connoisseur’s Session, 2008 Great Alaskan Beer and Barley Wine Festival in Anchorage, AK) Fruity, malty, chocolaty with some light tart fruitiness in the background. Less body than most barley wines, and carbonation is light-medium. Slight tart fruit aroma, but mostly malty and fruity. Medium-brown in color and fairly hazy. A good barley wine, but not one that stands out.

A swingtop bottle, saved with care by Alaskanwarren, since June 2004. A picturesque strong beer pour, with a small, fine layer of creamy head. Amber body. Hops are entirely gone from the nose, which seems appropriate for an aged barleywine. Very buttery carmel aroma. Smooth. Flavor reminds me of a failry dry-leaning manzilla sherry, with toasty almond flavors and a finish that is cleaner and dryer than the initial aroma might lead you to expect. The alcohol is there, but blends well with the rest of the flavors. Full body, but not sticky. This is a fabulous barleywine! Sort of what I hoped an old barleywine would taste like, but the first chance I’ve had to taste a well cared for example. Thank you Alaskanwarren for the chance to taste this!

From growler, 2002 vintage,Good nose, Perfumey sweet, carmel, butterscotch, orange. Clean, reddish orange color. no head. Sweet flavors, same as nose, with dried fruit also. Meduim body, sticky sweet flavors. Very warming. Tasty, touch out of style. Brewer said scottish/ wee heavy influence. Very good .

Talked at length with the brewer about his barleywines. A true craftsman. Not as hoppy as many barleywines. This is a rich beer, sweet and smooth. I’ve tried the longer-aged barleywine, and it’s very good as well. More rich, smoother with barely noticeable carbonation. Good beer, worth taking the time to sip and savour.

Out of the keg at the 2003 Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival. Dark orange color with no head and a subtle, sherry nose. Complex malt sweetness of dark plums, burnt caramel and butterscotch. Well balanced with hops in finish. Really good and I bet it will be better aged another year.