 BuckNaked (1195), Tempe, Arizona, USA
Dec 22, 2005 2004 vintage on tap 12/22/05: Slightly hazy amber with a small beige head that quickly dies. The aroma is earthy hops, aged caramel, old grains (not in a bad way), toffee, and a hint of fruit like apple. Taste is pretty bitter, though not at all in a citrus/pine way. The hops here seem to be fuggles, or at least some hop that’s contributing a good deal of bitterness while giving off earthy/old grass flavors. Sticky caramel and grains give the hops some opposition and it all blends rather well. Medium-full bodied, very mild carbonation, finishes medium dry with earthy hops and dried grains. Definitely an english style barleywine and I really like the non-citrus hops here. I feel like this will be fantastic in 5 more years, but right now I’m going to agree with scraff and want it fresh.
scraff (1656), Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Dec 27, 2004 2003 vintage on tap - Hazy amber, thin off white head. Nose had notes of aged musty earthy hops, candied citrus fruit, caramel and toffee, with a slight hint of molasses. Very well balanced with toasted caramel and musty hops predominate. Medium to full bodied, soft carbonation, creamy, drying citrus and caramel like finish. Very nice, but I feel a fresher batch would have been more up my alley. Still a very nice English style barleywine though.....
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