Smuttynose Barleywine Style Ale

Brewed by Smuttynose Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Portsmouth, New Hampshire USA

New 2007 bottle. Hazy dark orange with a medium head. Aroma of citrus hops with sugar and caramel malt. Alcohol very prominent in the taste. Heavy bodied. This might need some age; I’ll try a year old bottle I’ve been saving, and re-rate. 2006 bottle (1 year old). Much improved over the year in the cellar, without the harsh alcohol burn. The sweetness comes out with caramel, raisins and dates. Rating is for this bottle.

3-2-08 bottle shared at tasting.
Amber typical barley wine appearance - very average. Smells like strong apple perfume that is sold in the grocery store and is overpowering and gives you a headache. Flavor is decent but has a strong rubbing alcohol presence that I can’t shake. Palate is average - nothing special, nothing awful.

Poured a stright amber color which was a lighter then i expected. good head Amazing lacing. Aroma was resinous. Flavor was the same with some caramel malts. okay beer but lacking things i expect from thsi style.

Moderately clear ruby body with sparse visible suspended sediment, small tan head, sweet malts and mild hops in the nose. Sweet body with mild bitterness and finishing alcohol sting. I like this one.

Pours a dark amber/crimson red with a small white head. Spotty lacy around the brim, Aroma of dark fruit and caramel malt. Flavor of dark fruits and more malt, not much hop presence. A nice brew, thanks to WillBlake for this one!

Bottle. Hazy amber/orange color with large tan head. Fruity aroma. The taste was mildly fruity with some caramel and bitter hops in the back ground. Smooth mouthful with good balance for a barley wine. Not too sweet and not too bitter just right.

2006 bottle. Perhaps a bit young, but I don’t know what will change... Standard rich copper barleywine look with a very this white head. Alcoholic bootleather. A bit of tannic astringency. Some touch of floral hops and a bit of fruit. Not so sweet as this style usually is. Low carbonation, with out a ton of substane in terms of viscosity. Even perhaps a bit watery. Alcohol is strong over a very tannic toasty malt. A bit fruity and not too sweet. This beer needs a bit more malt to really open up.

Pours a deep unfiltered ruby with a tight beaded head and a great amount of lacing. Aromas of ripe figs and oranges. Lots of hops to. Very bitter, even for the style. Very nice balance of sweet fruitiness and hop bitterness. A huge oily texture. Warming alcohol finish. A really great barley wine. Paired well with brie and pears.