Date: 12/03/2006
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewpub, San Clemente

muddy brown with amber edges, wispy tan head, earthy hop aroma with rich malt, creamy body, sweet carmel malt flavor that leads to a hot alcohol sweetness, earthy hop flavor kicks in with a long bitter finish

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ***/4

Draft @ PP: Poured a hazy deep copper color with a beige head. Biscuity and caramel aroma with some citrus notes. The flavor was malty with some fruity character. The malt had some aged notes to it. Piney and bitter on the finish.

On tap at Carlsbad on 6/30/06: Pours a transparent dark copper mahogany with a thin, lightly-lacing tan head. Sweet, malty, phenolic aroma has some light fruity notes and subdued grapefruity hops. Starts with a sweet and bitter caramel malty presence along with some fruity candy notes and big citric hops. Very young and probably needs to mellow a bit, but shows some promise.

Tap@PPSC. Orange, thoroughly-clouded body with a yellow-orange head and lots of attractive lace. Smells nice with lots of citrus and malt, fruity hops. Body is full with moderate carbonation, but a wet finish. Flavor is crisp and clean (incredibly so): bitter citrus and nice toasted caramel malts. It doesn’t really scream barleywine at me, but it is tasty and nice, if simple.

On tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad. Pours a deep, caramelly strawberry tinged mahogony with a copious amount of creamy, amber head. Nice, even coloring; slightly opaque. Lovely, caramelly, cinnimonny spice aromas of craftily layered malts along with some vegetal herbal tones. A little bit of smokiness seems to be coming through as well, adding a nice smokey cedar wood dimension. Full bodied, lightly carbonated mouthfeel. A bit of smoke starts out on the tongue, but is quickly followed by a bitter hops finish and a bit of deeply browned bread crust. Final smack of toasty malts, grassy pollens, and a hint of smoke.