Kuhnhenn Big N Bold Barley Wine

Formerly brewed at Kuhnhenn Brewing
Style: Barley Wine
Warren, Michigan USA

Thanks polomagnifico. 2006 vintage. Pours a dark ruby brownish red. A lot more carbonation than I would have expected. Thin frothy tan head. The aroma was very fruity, sweet, earthy, minor oxidized notes, caramel, brown sugar, alcohol, wine, vinous. The flavor is interesting, actually very sour, caramel, sweet, alcohol, vinous, cherry, lots of muddled flavors. Very sour, acidic, warm, carbonated mouthfeel. Wondering if the sourness and the excess carbonation are the result of a bug.

2006 bottle courtesy of Pailhead. Rating #350! Thanks! Pours chocolate brown with a small disappearing head. Very pungent aroma of toffee, raisins and alcohol. Same in the taste... but VERY sour and totally off balance. ourness like sour cherries and barnyard funk. Bad bottle?

12 oz. bottle from Styles, thanks Chris! As others have stated, the label just says Kuhnhenn 2006 Barley Wine with nothing to distinguish it as the Big & Bold. Pours a almost clear brown with some copper-orange highlights, virtually no head or lace. Aroma is very sweet with notes of candied pears, caramel malt and booze. Flavor is very sweet with toffee, caramel, more candied fruit, possibly cherries, and a strong pineapple presence. Alcohol is noticeable, but hidden well enough for its high abv. Finishes with low carbonation and mild earthy hop bitterness. Very enjoyable.

12oz bottle pours a mildly murky brown-ish amber with weak tan head. The aroma is fairly pungent with malt and rye notes to start followed by fruity esters, some olives, mild caramel candy, earthiness and a building level of heat with a deep draw. The taste begins sweet with a quick pulse of malts and caramelization followed by sweet dark fruity esters. Quickly tart tannins build up to a near fever pitch with what seems like a combination of white wine and red wine tannins mixing with tart pomegranate fruit juice. It ends pretty dry carrying mildly dark fruity esters deep into the after taste. It was a bit different with all the tannin tartness but I enjoy it.

Appearance: Pours a simple, humble brown body with a rather small beige head. Smell: Sweet-smelling caramel aroma with some oxidation apparent and a noticeable touch of alcohol. Taste: Tired, aged caramel malts with a full, resounding sweetness. Juicy, tart dark fruit flavor. Heavy-handed dose of sherry. No real hop bitterness present. Hint of dried cherries on the warming finish. Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Mild carbonation. Somewhat syrupy. Drinkability: A decent, certainly tasty barleywine, though it’s really starting to show it’s age.

Name: Barleywine
Date: 02/24/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party
Vintage: 2006

Appearance: hazy dark red, scant beige head,
Aroma: sweet dark caramel malt aroma with earthy hops,
Flavor: big sweet dark caramel malt flavor, touch of candy quality,vanilla sweetness, nice earthyness adds balance,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

12oz bottle from 2006. Aroma is big with notes of vanilla, bourbon, sweet dark fruit, yeast, and caramel. Body is a deep dark brown, like flat coco-cola. Flavor is very sweet with bourbon, prune, red wine, caramel, and oak. Palate is oily flat and med/full bodied. Very smooth brew with the alcohol well hidden. An out of this world barely wine that is sweet and decadent. Very nice and classic Kuhnhenn style.

2006 bottle. Clear, brown body with a tiny off-white head. Richly sweet, vinous nose with berry caramel, pine and light citrus. Moderate/high sweetness in the taste with cherry, black berries, toffee and light pine. Full body is soft and sticky with light carbonation and a warm finish.