Rock Bottom Chicago Poison Kreusen Barleywine

Brewed by Rock Bottom Chicago
Style: Barley Wine
Chicago, Illinois USA

[2007] Poured a red brown color with a medium sized, off white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of pine, caramel malts, light oxidation, dried fruits, floral hops, toast, and alcohol. Taste of pine, citrus fruits, caramel, dark fruits, grapefruit, and some alcohol in the finish.

On tap at Rock Fest ’08. This was a great Barley wine, my vote for 2nd place at the fest. Dark copper color, nice head. Tastes of carmel, sweatness of sugars and alcohol. somewhat reminded me of a fine wine. Awsome finish.

On tap at RB - Chicago. Poured translucent coppery orange with a short cap of white head.. spotty lacing as it descended. The aroma found sweet, dry floral first with toffee, warm bready notes, and caramel behind.. not too complex, but sweet and pleasant.. a delightful hit of orange peel showed up with warmth. The flavor had a syrupy, warm foray of toffee and dry floral notes.. not much new surfaced across the middle.. some heat amplified everything on the back-end.. odd blend of citrus, cat pee, and floral bitterness.. uptake of orange on the finish. Warm and thick on the palate.. grainy, dry sugars especially on the back-end.. a bit of raw heat, but otherwise solid.

Draft @ the bp. A traditional-style bw w/ a big malty background. Very representative of the style.

On tap at piece during the barley wine party. I think this was my favorite of the night. Pours a nice red color with great lacing. Malty nosew ith some tangy fruit, almost cranberry like. Crisp bubbly start, clean fruit flavor with a good hop balance. Some vanilla and cran apple quench toi it. Sweet mellow finish. Slight citrus with a good belch.

Had this last night at RB on tap. It was a hell of a beer to start the night with. Glad to hear that it is going to be aged so I can try it again later. Pours a hazy amber (almost ruby) color with a thin head. Mild fruity aroma. Well done barleywine, it was a little sweet. I didn’t think it hid the 9.5% well, but probably because it is young and can mellow some. Well done though.

This beer was based on the recipe of homebrewer Scott Lansky, who also happens to be the "beer guy" at one of the better bottle shops in the Chicago region. I was at the brewpub the day this was being brewed and, enjoying the wort smell, gained some of the enthusiasm that Scott had for this beer.

Thank goodliness, it turned out great, so I won’t feel awkward the next time I see Scott.

Served at the brewpub in a snifter, it had a very slightly hazy amber body with a pillowy head that hung around until I was finished drinking. The aroma had hot toffee, soft stoned fruits, alcohol, sweet apples, and a light earthiness. Very warm on the tongue because of its age. A bit of caramel flambe and some herbs blended into the flavor as well, the latter adding to the dry finish.

This is a pretty green barleywine, but it should mellow out well. I was happy to learn that a goodly portion of the batch is already barreled for we Chicago area folk to enjoy at the brewpub much later in the year and, I’m assuming, at the next FoBAB.

Nicely done Scott! And, I s’pose, you too, Pete!

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