Pike Old Bawdy Barley Wine

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

On tap at brewpub (2006 vintage)

After checking out the Pike Market it was time for a beer or two. The natural choice was the nearby Pike brewpub. When I got there they had just finished the Monk’s Uncle so I opted for this instead. It was a nice experience though perhaps a little heavy for an early afternoon beer. This is not sessionable in the least; if you don’t eat some food with it it will sneak up on you quickly. I can’t wait to open my bottle after letting it sit for two years.

Aroma / Appearance - The opaque caramel colored body was dark enough to filter out almost 95% of light. There was no obvious carbonation though even if there was it would have been hard to see. Resin, spruce, cherry and wood notes create a cohesive collection of enjoyable scents. It did smell a little fresh; I suspect with cellaring it will begin to settle down.

Flavor / Palate - The dense mouthfeel coats every corner of the throat almost immediately. Creamy resin contrasts against the strong maltiness. For a 10% ABV beer it is suprisingly easy to drink. As I said this could sneak up on you if you aren’t careful.

Bottle: Pours a clear orange/amber with a smaller white head that disapated quickly. Damn near bronze, just like the description! Fruity, hoppy aroma with hints of alcohol. Some citrus. Taste is citrus hops with fruits, caramel, and some malt presence. Smooth, warming finish. Quite good. Thanks to Jordan for sharing.

Thanks to Joebrew for sharing this 2006 vintage. Hazy orange beer with faint white head and plenty of sediment floating about. Sweet rich caramel malt nose and some very faint citrus. Definite citrus hop in the body what does a good job of balancing the malty sweetness. Bitter finish. Nice to have another barley wine with something to differentiate it from the pack.

Vertical Tasting @ Pike Brewery - February 8, 2009
1994: clear, range and float; dank fruit, sugary, delightful nose; warm, fuzzy, sugary, musky; very nicely aged
1996: clear, dark brown; drinks dry with a touch of smoke; sugar is super dry; smoke on the nose; completely different than the 1994
1997: clear, dark orange; sugar and stale hops; syrupy sweet texture; a little hot and very sweet overall
2006: clear, rosey bornw; touch of smoke here as there was in the 1996; maple, sugar, peaty; slight syrupy texture; pretty much perfect
2007: dark orange and only one with a head that lasted more than a few moments; sugar, grassy hops; lemony sweet; an oddball in the group; different recipe?
2008: dark amber, sweet and hoppy; light bodied and seems quite simple compared to the other vintages
Overall: a few different recipies here for sure just based on color alone; the 2006 and 1996 were quite similar and were my favs; the 2006 slightly in more balance and the 1996 was sweeter in the finish; smoke was complementary and really grew on me

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.

Pours a beige head with legs and a copper-amber color body. Smells of mellow citrus and spice hops, rich caramelized malt. Flavor is the same but with some peat. Finish is brown sugar and a little bitter.

Pours a dark a murky dark amber with beige head. Aroma of caramel malt, dark/dried fruit, Similar taste, pretty boozy, but a nice bitter malt finish. Very solid barley wine.

Bottle (1998): Caramel in color, hazy, small off-white fizzy head, spotty lacing.   Sweet caramel malt nose... not much hop presence after all these years.   Sweet malty start, caramel and toffee, with a noticable floral like back end.   Seems to have mellowed out over the years, but it has held up rather well.   I wish I had more of this!   Medium to full body and mouthfeel.   Clean finish, lingering sweetness with a touch of that floral aspect.   Perhaps even a bit citrusy as well.   Quite tasty!   Oh how I love these impromptu back room tastings at Bottleworks.