J.T. Whitneys Mad Badger Barley Wine

Formerly brewed at J.T. Whitneys Pub & Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Madison, Wisconsin USA

Name: Barley Wine
Date: 06/22/2007
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub

clear dark red, headless, sweet dark fruit aroma, sticky body, sweet rich dark caramel flavor, lots of ripe fruit character, warming without being alcoholic, light earthy bitterness keeps everything in control,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 9/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 4/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***+/4

2006 vintage on tap at the brewpub on 6/22/07: Pours a nearly opaque dark mahogany with a thin ring of off-white head. Aroma of sweet dark caramel malt along with a touch of dark fruits and piny hops. Body starts rich and dark caramely sweet with nice complex raisin and brown sugar flavors before a slightly warming sticky finish, with some light fruity esters. A pretty nice barleywine.

Dark chestnut color with afew off white bubbles swimming on top. Black walnut and light malt aromas. Cherry and malt flavors with a touch of cherry pit bitterness. Hints of vanilla. A bit disjointed.

On draught at the brewpub in Madison, Wisconsin. Pours a semi-cloudy and dark reddish amber brew with a thin tan head that slowly dissipates with a spotty lacing to a tan ring. Aroma of raisins, tart cherry, a touch of chocolate, bourbon, and smoked caramel malt, Taste is full bodied, light carbonation with flavors or caramel malt, figs, raisins, a touch of brown sugar and some toffee. Finish is semi-sweet with a mild tart cherry and brown sugar aftertaste. Have to save a growler of this for the winter season. Nice Finish!

On tap at the brewpub. Poured a clear deep garnet with a short cap of beige head... receded to a small island after a minute or so. Nose was of strong dark fruits (vinous and cherry notes) with a definite alcohol presence that took charge as this warmed. Same fruit medley in the flavor department, with a lot of sticky darker malts including chocolate. Very sweet. Alcohol was bright and almost became unbearable toward the end of the drink. Medium-bodied. Balance was off... too sweet and too boozy.

Murky iron color with no head. Monster barley aroma. Solid barley taste with some bread tagging along. Very rich and dry, but nicely balanced. Their best offering that I’ve had.

Draft at the brewpub. Poured a hazy reddish brown color. Nearly opaque. The head had a yellowish off white tone and maintained good height. Some lace was left behind at the end. The aroma was of caramel, toffee, and molasses. There was also a whiff of fig. Sweet, big and malty. Full bodied with brown sugar, raisin, toffee, fig, alcohol, and caramel flavors. There wasn’t much in the way of hop flavor.

Murky/Rusty With Red Coloring. No Head. Aroma of Bread and Barley. Alcohol, Fruit...and a Bit Bitter At the End. Really Not Bad At All. I’d Like to Have Again to Further Discern This Brew...But Very Enjoyable.