 Crafty07 (331), Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Mar 9, 2008
No, this beer is not nearly as impressive as many reviewers are claiming! It’s not ever the best offering by North Coast as Pranqster is a better more palatable beer.
But, naturally far too much praise will be hoisted upon this mess. It does NOTHING to hide it high alcohol note.
Bhops (167), Dallas, Texas, USA
Jul 19, 2008 Bottle courtesty of mar. Pours hazy amber, with little to no head. Aroma of vanilla, sweet malts, raisins and caramael. Strong flavor... much like bourbon barrel but less bourbon. Full bodied. really good sipping beer.
502Flavors (165), Kentucky, USA
Jul 19, 2008 2008 12 oz. poured into a sniffer. Rich ruby red pour with a big, very light tan/egg-white colored head that holds pretty well. The aroma was not unbelievably complex but was potent and unbelievably delicious - sweet doughy malt with citrus and resinous hops and some port booze. Not as much alcohol in the flavor as the abv. might suggest; it tastes heavy and full and complex with strong doughy malty forefront and a juicy citrus hop background. This might be the perfect balance of hops and malt for a barley wine. Rich and coating on the palate with a warm alcoholic finish, soft carbonation, and a medium to heavy body. Overall: good, complex, and fresh. But, I couldn’t drink more than one in a night because it is so big and full.
Headbanger (922), Aurora, Illinois, USA
Jul 18, 2008 12oz bottle(2nd version of 2006 Vintage ABV 11.6%)(courtesy I believe from mreusch)-A nice amber colored body with a tan head that dissipates very quickly into nothing and an aroma of caramel, yeast, malt, and raisins. Taste of malt, caramel, and alcohol. This full bodied brew is very well blended and hides the alcohol very well. Great Barley Wine.
Acknud (546), Morganfield, Kentucky, USA
Jul 16, 2008 Thick healthy pour with no head. Amber colored. Very sweet to the nose with molasses and raisins. Taste is sweet malt with caramel, dark fruits and some nuttyness. Would have been great in a large snifter in front of a blazing fireplace.
BillKismet (1353), Seattle, Washington, USA
Jul 15, 2008 Red-tinged amber color with head hanging around. Malt burst, some alcohol warmth in aroma and flavor, cardboard tinge. Nice fruitiness, but reserved, not quite the complexity one might expect or want. Austere malt and fruit flavors leave one unsuspecting to the potency of this brew. After reading reviews, I did pick up on the almond notes in flavor and aroma--a nice amaretto melding. This was a 2008 label so I expect a future tasting would likely yield a better rating.
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