Pelican The Perfect Storm

Brewed by Pelican Pub & Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Pacific City, Oregon USA

Pours a very dark amber/chestnut brown color with ruby mahogany edges and a one finger light beige head that quickly fades into a lasting ring that leaves sporadic spots of lacing behind. Sweet caramel malt aroma with hints of honey, toffee, hazelnut and earthy leathery malts. Sweet alcohol, earthy oak and a boat load of vanilla accompanying the subtle bourbon character. There was not as much bourbon in the nose as I had expected and this is a nice change of pace. Very complex with a lot of interesting aromas going on here. Nice soft carbonation up front with a medium body that’s on the fuller end. Promient oaky tannis and a huge vanilla character from the oak aging. The bourbon is ore prominent in the flavor than in the aroma but again it isn’t overpowering but rather is a nice compliment to the other complex flavors. There’s also a bit of dark fruit, especially raisin, fig and date balancing out the earthy leathery malt notes. The bourbon presence provides a bit of alcohol warmth but this beer is dangerously drinkable considering how well the high ABV is masked. Extremely smooth and if I didn’t share this bottle with some other BAs I would have probably killed myself by drinking it too fast. This is one of the best beers I’ve ever had and I can’t recommend it and higher!

Hot cocoa. Holy shit ths motherfucker is hot. Cocoa,caramel, alcohol. Yum! Taste is sweet, slightly hot. Okay, really hot, cocoa, sweet chocolate. Wow. Drier than anticipated. Chocolate, raisins, etc. Needs time. Good.

22oz, pours dark ruby with small tan head. Nose of bourbon, nuts, caramel, touch of butterscotch. Flavors of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, raisin, nice toasted malt finish. This got a lot better as it warmed and let breathe.

22oz bottle from Todd once again... Pours a bit lighter than stormwatcher with a medium neon tint with reddish brown edges. Head wasn’t too apparent and congregated around the edges... Aroma of a little burnt wood and bourbon and sweet rumlike notes. Still some of a lighter fruit, Peary aspect to it... Flavors were very bourbon forward at first which was overpowerizing. After warming, more intricate flavors develop with dark fruits and still an assertive bourbon assertiveness along with caramel and toffee flavors. Thinner mouthfeel than the regular version which was to be expected. Booziness somewhat subsides but is still prevalent.

Got to try a bottle of this this past weekend. Colour... a very dark garnet brown with no head at all. Nose... kind of musty at first, then, lots of toffee and caramel! Palate... exceptionally sweet! I haven’t been diabetic, but I may be after this tipple! Tonnes of tropical fruits, Medjool dates, dried stone fruits, English toffee, golden sirup, caramel twist, turkish delight, and a G.D. long finish that I wish would not end!

Barley Wine Tasting with Hophead22. This one really stood out for the day. Aroma was faint bourbon with some alcohol. Taste was chocolate malts, caramel, hops, awesome balance. Dark cherry color with small head. Medium carbonation. Overall so sooo good. Thanks again.

Fresh from the 2009 batch, shared by a generous friend. Extremely dark amber brown body with a diminishing tan head and heavy spotty lacing. This beer is big and robust with a smooth blended quality from the beginning. I can only imagine what a fair amount of cellar time could do to this beauty. It’s a big sipping beer with a sweet and creamy finish. Peaty aroma with dark fruits galore including raisins, currants and a hint of star anise. Nice tobacco and oat bran scent, the woody bourbon opens up as time passes. Lots of oatmeal and granola in the flavor followed by plum, raisin and port wine. Woody and nutty with mild tobacco and cocoa hints. A good dash of vanilla and a subtle rich bourbon quality. Reminiscent of a young J.W. Lees, extremely complex and very soothing. Thoroughly enjoyable over a stretch of time.

Bottle @ the HotD dock sale... Poured brown with a light brown head that faded quickly. Nose was oaky with bourbon, vanilla and oats. Flavors of almost like almond paste, and a definitely vanilla bourbon character. A little hot being a fresh 2009 batch, but I embraced it and thought it was great! A true treat on a cold day waiting for Hair of the Dog Michael.