Pike Old Bawdy Barley Wine

Brewed by Pike Pub & Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Seattle, Washington USA

Splendid aroma of alcolhol, fruit, floral hop, and malt. The overall effect is of fermenting fruit. Beautiful orange tinged amber color. White head that didn’t last. Medium body, very light carbonation. A bit chewy. The alcohol is definitely present, some toffee, stone fruit (something like brandied fruit with the alcohol) sweetness. The main and saving feature is that each sip provides a burst of fruit. The finish is fairly dry, and there does seem to be some of that advertised smokey undertone. There is even enough bitter to overcome the residual sweetness.

Poured a hazy copper color with a thin off-white head. Sweet and fruity malt with some citrusy hop towards the finish that turns to a bitterness. The aroma matches the flavor. Sweet and fruity. Medium bodied.

2006 Vintage, 12-oz bottle from Bottleworks in Seattle, Washington. Pours a semi-clear light brownish amber brew with a decent off-white head that has a slow dissolve that leaves behind an excellent lacing and bubbly foamy top. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, vanilla, a touch of toffee and some dark pitted fruits. Taste is syrupy, full bodied, very light carbonation with lots of grapefruit, raisin and caramel flavors. Finish is bitter with a sweet raisin aftertaste that is followed by a nice alcohol warmth that is well hidden in the lingering fresh bitterness flavor.

2007 bomber. Poured clear reddish-orange with a short cap of off-white head. The aroma was strong with syrupy caramel accented by smoky peat, orange rinds, and herbal notes.. quite tangy on the back. The flavor was rather on the sharp side with sour smoke and lighter fruits stealing the show a bit.. the core was caramel and redder fruit-based.. finished with alcohol amping up the fruity notes and smoke. Heavier-bodied, zesty, and sharp overall on the palate.. lasted for a long while on the finish. I think this would do well with more age.

(Draught) Sampled at Uber Tavern. Pours a thin, white head with a deep orange body. Nose of strong oranges, highly malty. Strong acidic texture hits the tongue. Good orange peel flavour balances with a pleasant malty finish.

Bottle provided via trade with Larry Pitonka. Pours hazy dark orange with a spare fizzy light brown head, moslty diminishing, spare lacing, lightly cloudy. Aroma is average malt (caramel, nutty), heavy hops (flowers, perfume, pine), average yeast (dough, sweat, soap) with notes of alcohol and peach. Medium bodied, alcoholic texture, soft carbonation and a bitter finish. Long duration, light sweetness, harsh acidity and bitterness.

Bomber, thanks to Becker. Pours gold with a small head. Aroma is boozy with slight oxidation and tangerine rind. Flavor has the carboard I had a feeling would be there along with overripe apricot and peach.

Bottle 2006 vintage poured a clearorange with a minimal lingering ring of amber foam. Aromas of oak, carmel, toffee and fruitiness. Palate was light to medium bodiedand smooth with a dry warming finish.Flavors of carmel, peat, wood, light fruitiness and a hint of pine with a smooth dry warming finish.