 CaptainCougar (4633), Rockville, Maryland, USA
May 16, 2008
Pours a transparent copper amber with a spotty-lacing off-white head. Aroma of sweet caramely malt with some light fruity esters. Body starts with decent fullness and sweet caramel malty sugars with some warming alcohol toward the finish. Doesn’t quite have the complexity of a Thomas Hardy’s or J.W. Lees Harvest Ale, but is pretty true to style for an English Barley Wine.
Heathen (502), Riverside, New Jersey, USA
Aug 6, 2008 THOUGHTS: Another barley wine, another great beer. I figured Christmas in July was the perfect time for this on. I hope there is yet another new Elf this Christmas. This was probably very harsh when fresh. It reminded me of Dogfish Head Immort Ale. This one is deceptive. It can really sneak up on your. I’d love for them to age this in bourbon barrels. It surprisingly went well with white chocolate.
TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a clear, medium to dark orangey amber with a small, slightly off-white head that mostly diminished and left virtually no lacing. The aroma was a little weak. If it were stronger it’d be perfect. There was moderate to heavy caramel malt, cherries, candy and that smell that only exists in a barley wine. It was very fruity with some alcohol, but low for for the ABV. The initial flavor was heavily sweet and moderately acidic; while the finish was moderately sweet and just a hint of bitterness with an average duration. There was tons ’o caramel malt, candied fruit (cherry, apple and grape), alcohol, a little cherry. Not much hops, but only ever so slightly cloyingly sweet. The medium body was syrupy and sticky on the lips with fizzy carbonation and a light astringent and light to moderate alcoholic finish, but not as much as I’d expect for the ABV, although it did gain a little more burn as it warmed. Overall the palate mad me want to keep sipping.
nearbeer (1224), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Jun 16, 2008 33 cl, 2007 vintage. Clear and reddish-copper with a small, fleeting head. Raisins, brown sugar, and rum on the nose. Flavor is spiced dark fruit, alcohol, oak, vanilla, and brown sugar. Big warming alcohol finish. Medium body is tingly and dry with alcohol and spiciness. Nice flavors, but they are dominated a bit much by the alcohol for my tastes.
BrewDad (1645), Olympia, Washington, USA
May 25, 2008 330ml Bottle - Gravity Beer Market - Olympia, WA
Aroma – Deep barley wine aroma.
Appearance – Dark Amber in color, Light head and clear.
Flavor – A nice drinking Barley wine this was easy and smooth with a nice balance of malts and spices.
Palate – Decent Mouthfeel, nice texture with a good dry finish.
Overall – A easy drinking Barley wine with some good off flavors and spices.
kp (6200), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
May 25, 2008 Date: 05/16/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Green’s, Atlanta
Appearance: clear dark amber, fine beige head, streaks of drippy lace,
Aroma: heavy malt aroma with a sticky fruity sweetness and light earthyness,
Body: sticky body,
Flavor: rich caramel malt flavor, nice sweet fruity character, light earthy bitterness adds a touch of balance,
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **/4
BlackDonald (1040), North Carolina, USA
May 19, 2008 Well said, this is insanely bad, well maybe not insanely, but this is not the greatest beer I have ever put in my mouth. Has a slightly coppery metallic spice flavor but very sweet and malty, almost to the point of being cloying with very present alcohol all the way through.
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