Olde Hickory Irish Walker

Bomber of the 2009. Pours blood red with no head and spotty lacing. The aroma is very fruity with hints of grapes, berries, a dash of something almost sour, and vanilla. This sure does smell like a barleywine. I find this to be a rich and flavorful brew but with just a medium heavy palate. It’s not a monster like some others in the style. Also this is hoppier and cleaner than I expected. Citrus and pine cut through the predominant malts. Flavors of wood, vanilla, caramel, earth, and some implied bourbon character are here, especially in its creamy finish. Kind of reminds me of a Scotch ale/barleywine hybrid. Olde Hickory really surprised me here.

(Bottle, 2009 vintage) Pours a clear amber body with a small off-white head. Aroma of musty basement, caramel, peat, earth, and some raisins in the background. Flavor of caramel, peat, herbal, molasses, raisins, and dates with a dry, bitter finish.

From my memory this was described as a barrel aged Irish Red. Red/amber pour with cream colored head. Aroma expecially was reminiscent of a red ale. Some malt, peat, wet sock. Flavor was smoother, caramel and light red fruits adding to the peat, malt, wheat bread. Solid medium body, but drinkable. Not as enjoyable as the Bardstown or Black Magic, but another good barrel aged brew from Olde Hickory.

Date: April 18, 2009
Mode: draft
Source: Brewfest, Hickory Hops
Appearance: clear dark amber, big beige head, lots of lace
Aroma: sweet bready caramel malt aroma, touch of fruityness, balancing earthyness
Flavor: sweet and bready flavor, lots of deep dark caramel sweetness, nice fruityness, lots of balancing earthyness, long bitter finish
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4