Mikkeller Big Worse Barley Wine

Mikkeller
Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij
Style: Barley Wine
Copenhagen V, Denmark

Pours dark brown with a hint of purple around the edges and produces a thick beige head. The aroma is different than expected with a bit of sweet funky sourness along with the typical strong bitter hop scents. The flavor has some sweet sugary notes up front with of course some hops. Alcohol is noticeable all the way. Has a dry finish. I think this would be a good candidate for aging.

Looks like an off-colored wine, as it is nearly still - no head, no bubbles. Dark coppery colored. Very sweet and raisin-filled aroma. Prunes, plums, dates, figs in the aroma. It is very, very warming. The alcohol is very evident, and its obvious why the beer is so overly sweet. It is too sweet for my pleasure.

Thus ends my New Year’s weekend - 12.7 ounce, corked and caged bottled - ruby-colored beer with just the hint of a lacing - tangy, nearly tart, citric aroma at first, but a long draw of air up the nose reveals cherries, fig, caramel, sherry, alcohol/rum - some dry sherry notes at first, followed by bright citrus notes, some mildly tart cherries - a sweeter, caramel aspect arrives later, bringing with it darker fruits (raisins) and heavier liquor flavors (rum and brandy) - there are some good things happening, but the flavors are not entirely well-integrated, and it’s a little hot - it seems designed to age, but has been released too young.

courtesy of Miver. Pours a clean thin but syrupy orange/brown body with a beige head. The aroma is loaded with caremel, brown sugar, and feint bananas. Flavors are carmel, bubble gum, light citrus, light alcohol, and some sweet bread. Very nice.

Courtesy of Styles

Bottle: The aroma is very malty with lots of caramel, toffee, faint banana bread, fruit, and a floral and light citrus hoppiness. It pours a transparent amber with a small off-white head. The flavor starts very malty with lots caramel and light banana bread. The finish has an aged citrus hoppiness with very faint alcohol. Medium-bodied with soft carbonation.

$10.99 bottle from Texas Liquor in Carlsbad on 12/22/07, Green 12.7 oz bottle with no date, but I think these just arrived in the store. Pours with zero head, but there is still carbonation in the liquid, as you can see a small single trail of bubbles to the surface. Deep, deep amber color. Malty alcoholic aroma. You would almost think you are about to try a Brandy. Taste has tons of tongue sting from alcohol burn and high bitterness, and some carbonation too. Sweet a hint of tartness. Very young and green. This will be much better with some age and oak on it. Darn my impatience with a whole cellar full of other goodies.

A good BW, though not quite up to the standards of the best of the style. Nice color and a lively, vinous, nose. Flavor is nice as well. No real weaknesses to this one!

Deep reddish copper. Wild aroma. Caramel and dried red fruits with herbal hops. Flavor follows the aroma.