Lagunitas Olde Gnarly Wine

2009 release. Bomber poured into a snifter. Brilliant ruddy scarlet color with a fluffy tan head. The bubbles seem coarse but the retention is solid. Aroma is maple syrup drizzled on ripe grapefruit. Accents of fresh wheat bread, orange, and caramel. Flavor is candied fruit galore. Pineapple, orange, and especially grapefruit. Some caramel and maple syrup again but those notes are truncated by a substantial bitterness. Finish is warming. Body isn’t really full but it’s robust enough. Modest carbonation, semidry finish. A pretty solid barleywine.

1May09 Bomber
Big malty aromas of carmel and toffee. Citrusy hop aromas, too.
Medium coppery red, tan head that collapses quickly but leaves a nice ring of foam at the edge of the glass
Rich, malty start with citusry, piney hop character. sweet almost cloying finish.
Full body, light-med carbonation. Sticky
Very nice barleywine. a touch on the sticky side, would be nice to be a touch more attenuated.

22oz bomber: Appearance is dark amber brown with slow fading cream color head, aroma filleed with citrus hops and pale malt, flavor filled aagain with cutrus hops malt and hint of alcohol. subpar gor a barley wine but still a damn good beer.

Clear dark amber with a cream color one finger head. Head fades quickly but leaves a ring and plentiful very fine lacings. Aroma of plums and floral hops. Taste is sweet plum, some black cherries, earthy leather bitter hop finish. Mouthfeel is adequete carbonation with a sweet wine body. Alcohol is well hidden considering the high abv. A slight burn at the back of the throat. Drinkability is quite good for this style.

22oz bomber, 2008 vintage, poured into a snifter. Pours a light clear copper with a small off-white head that recedes quickly to a collar with a swirl on top. The aroma is thick and sweet with tons of caramel malts, toffee and dark fruit. Definitely figs, raisins and some brown sugar to top it off. The taste follows the aroma and has a huge sweet caramel malt base that supports the dark fruit and brown sugar. Very sweet overall with the faintest hint of citrus hops up front. There is a bit of alcohol burn in the finish as well. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with soft carbonation and it coats the palate with the mixture of sweetness. This is a solid barleywine that has all the prerequisites of the style. It doesn’t blow me away on any aspects, but it’s a good, sweet, drinkable brew.

2009 Bomber. This barleywine poured a clear reddish orange with a slight head which quickly disappeared. Lots of lacing. Aroma of malts and figs. Complex flavor dominated by malt (of course!). Tends a bit sweet, but gets by with it. The alcohol is nicely muted. I am becoming a big fan of Lagunitas brews. At $4.99, it is a deal.

Bottle at the Spotify tasting. Big heavy barley wine aroma. Bit more cultured in the mouth. Good toffee, nice sweet jammy fruit and a tangerine edge. Good big hops.

(bottle - 22 oz) Coppery color with a fluffy tan head. Aroma is very sweet and malty with lots of dark fruit aromas, caramel, honey, and alcohol. Lots of sweet malts and fruit at the beginning of the flavor with a nice caramel and bitter hop middle. Finishes lightly bitter with a very chewy body. Alcohol is extremely well hidden.