Lagunitasfan (433), San Diego, California, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Jan 28, 2009 On tap at Winterstorm. Verticaled the 04-08. The fresh was good, but the aged were better. Each year mellowed, and the jump between the 07 and the 05 was huge. The best by far was the oldest, at 04. It was cloudy and deep amber/orange. It was warm and fuzzy. Spicy, fruity, boozy, sweet. I don’t know how much better it could possibly get with any more age. lithy (1650), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Jan 26, 2009 Rating #650. 2008 bottle. Light reddish orange with a frothy off white head that dies quickly. Nice syrupy looking body. Aroma is citric hops, caramel malt, alcohol. Taste is huge citrus hoppiness on top of some toffee and caramel. Nice warming alcohol finish. BeerFanDan17 (610), Land O Lakes, Florida, USA
| 4.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 5/5 | 19/20 | Jan 26, 2009 Tried on draft at Pizza Port in San Clemente. A really incredible brew. I am actually surprised it is a barley wine style ale. The flavor is an awesome sweet balance of hops and malt. illidurit (872), Santa Cruz, California, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 16/20 | Jan 26, 2009 08 vintage. Bronze-amber color with a light beige head that leaves nice lacing. Aroma is very strong and hoppy, with a backbone of toffee. Flavor is caramel and toffee maltiness with a dose of C hops and a rather over-the-top alcohol note. Definitely needs some age, but not too much lest the hops crap out. Body is a shade under thick, carbonation is perfect. Solid beer. jujubeast6000 (776), Houston, Texas, USA
| 3.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 4/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 14/20 | Jan 22, 2009 Reviewed 1/13/2009 (bottled Early 2007):
Pours a filtered amber orange brown colored body. Smallish head, foamy and creamy white. Dark grape aroma. Malty sweet, sickly almost. Some spiciness. Grainy maltiness and alcohol. Mellow light sweet taste. Grape malty taste. Some hotness on the aftertaste. Alcohol is hidden well. surffisher (195), Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 5/5 | 16/20 | Jan 20, 2009 Early 2007 vintage 22 oz. bomber bottle. Pours cloudy peach-amber, with a small yellowish tan head that dissipates quickly but leaves some light lace when present. Sweet, malty, bready aroma with strong fruity esters (think apricot brandy). Flavor is still fairly hoppy, though now mostly bittering. Sweet, fruity, and boozy with some bready notes. Dry and warm on the finish. Medium full mouthfeel. Great, creamy palate with moderate very fine carbonation, and nice warmth in the finish. Real nice barleywine that has aged well. KAF (441), Coralville, Iowa, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Jan 19, 2009 Amber-orange pour with an off white head. Sweet malty aroma of caramel, toffee along with dried fruits. Flavors of caramel, vanilla, dark fruits and toffee with some alcohol. Dryness as well. This would be really good with a few more years on it. DSG (1501), Tel Aviv, Israel
| 3.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 3/5 | 6/10 | 4/5 | 12/20 | Jan 18, 2009 (11/3/08) Draught sample at the brewpub in Escondido. 2007 vintage. Hazy orange color. Aroma full of malt, caramel, honey, sherry, some fruitiness and some alcohol. Sweet malty flavor with some wood, vanilla notes, caramel, honey, sherry notes, some fruitiness and some bitter hoppiness in the finish. Full-bodied. Not my cup of tea.
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