750mL bottle, I want to say 2005, but I can’t find a date on there. Poured clear, fiery orange with a creamy cap of beige head. The aroma picked up strong phenolic notes upfront over aged caramel and redder fruits.. toffee and cardboardey oxidation come shortly after.. came across as too strong and unbalanced. The flavor had prickly alcohol-amplified barley and resiny pine notes on the tip of the tongue opening into aged toffee, light brown sugar, and grassy notes across the middle.. sharp, boozy finish. Heavier-bodied on the palate with a buttery texture that unfortunately opened to sharp booziness on the edges and finish.. overall this didn’t do much for me.

Much too hot in the hops and very little malt backbone. Might do well with some time under it, but I am disinclined to even bother.

Sampled at the 2008 Music City Brewers Fest. Copper with an off-white head that leaves light lacing. The aroma finds grapefruit peels and a malt background. Also some celery? Chocolate malts in the flavor with some caramel and fruits. Medium body and some bitterness.

On tap at Brew’s Cafe, Granville, OH; again, biased by 70 miles of riding hills; smooth, tasty, solid barleywine. What do you want from me? I left my brain back in Fallsburg.

Bottled @ RBESG Grand Tasting 2008. Hazy and dark orange in colour with a medium sized off-white head. Notes of hops, malt, caramel, fruits and more hops.