 HogTownHarry (3200), Toronto (Harbourfront), Ontario, Canada
Dec 8, 2005
Bottle (12oz - 2004). Poured murky deep red-umber with a small light brown head. Lovely BW aroma, masses of rich malt (roasty caramel, sweet but thick), fresh citrus-juice hops backing it up, plenty of mossy yeastlight wood resins, alcohol lurking the the weeds - the word that springs to mind is "fresh." Taste - wow that grabs you - the malt and hops burst out of the gate but the smooth alcohol blows past them and heads straight to my ears - this one is balanced, strong and blended, one of the nicest-drinking barleywines of my admittedly limited (12-16) experience. Mouthfeel is creamy, a bit flat (normal for the style), decent body, smooth yet complex - and although this has a pretty long linger, it’s not bitter at all. This should be a top-100 beer, in my opinion. Terific.
Floback (251), N-town, Florida, USA
Sep 4, 2008 Bottle from Total Wine. I finally got to try this after years of recommendation from SoLan. What the hell took me so long?! Pours a fingernail of tan head over a brown/amber body. The tan lacing is spotty and loose. Very strong odors of caramel, booze, and toffee waft free of the bottle. I imagine a cold winter night next to a roaring fireplace with this brew’s multiple facets of flavor and brandy-like mouthfeel. Flavors include caramel, firewood, molasses, and dark fruits. Very boozy and intense, which adds a warming burn to the throat; certainly to be enjoyed sipped. Medium carbonation and full body. Very good; a satisfying example for the style. I’ll definitely need to try this aged, when the fierce alcohol notes mellow out.
papat444 (15), St-Constant, Quebec, Canada
Sep 2, 2008 Thanks to HogTownHarry for this one!
2006 vintage.
Pours a nice dark brown body with minimal head and lacing. Smell is malt & sweet. Taste is creamy, chewy and sweet but not overbearing. Caramel and malt round it off. Very drinkable for a high 13.5 ABV. I wasn’t blown away but was not let down either. Would recommend.
Trev (501), Lakeville, Minnesota, USA
Aug 30, 2008 Updated: Aug 31, 2008(2007 bottling)
Pours a hazy dark amber with a medium off white head.
Aroma is strong fruity raisin. Nice chocolatey roast malt, toffee
Flavour is medium bodied, soft dark fruit alc presence. dusty chocolate and woody vanilla hints.
I’ve had better barley wines personally.
...
3 bottles into a 4 pack and it’s grown on me now.
dmac (848), Toms River, New Jersey, USA
Aug 29, 2008 12 oz bottle. Pours a murky muddy brown with a good coating of silky creamy light beige head that leaves a smooth slick of head. Aroma started off with notes of orange, honey, raisin, grapes, sherry, cognac, brown bread and maple syrup. Palate is light carbonation over a medium body with a very dry finish. Flavor is not as bold or complex as the aroma and has a good dose of booziness about it. The remainder of the flavor is rounded out with dry toast notes, caramel, toffee, more booze and bread. Nice enough but it didn’t knock my socks off, oh wait my socks are gone it must be from all the alcohol.
BOLTZ7555 (463), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Aug 28, 2008 Garnet pour with gem-like qualities of sparkling carbonation. A small dense off-white head sits atop the body of the brew. Flavors of roasted malt, caramel, toffee, and vanilla are present. Aroma is of dark fruit and brown sugar. Sticky, sweet, and solid.
|
