The Duck-Rabbit Barleywine

From a 12oz Bottle. Best by 12/2007. That didn’t happen. Oh well, I’m sure there are far worse travesties in my cellar than this 11% barleywine. Somewhat hazy, ruddy amber color with hues of ripe peach flesh, topped with a finger of ivory head. The nose is incredibly fruity, with an intense raisin note and even a hint of red grape. Some darker caramel and toffee malt notes come through as well. Medium bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel with a somewhat creamy texture. Lots of raisin, actually at a level unrivaled by any other beer I’ve tasted. More raisin. I’m also getting raisin and hints of raisin. Perhaps some cookie-dough malt character? If so, it’s got to be oatmeal raisin cookie dough. Finishes moderately dry and a bit thin for a barleywine, leaving a raisiny flavor lingering in the final smack. Oxidation can do weird things.

bottles from emacgee and gford217. Thanks! Pours a rich dark brownish with nice beige head. Smell is nutty, dates and dark fruity and pretty nice. Taste is of tart dates and cherry and some alcohol. Not harsh, but some booze is there. Interestingly tart, and acidic. Rich body and soft carbonation. Kind of a dull flavor, but not bad. Could be a bit less acidic, but not bad.

12-oz bottle received via trade with dchmela. Pours dark brown with an average, frothy, light brown head, somewhat lasting with fair lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (caramel, nutty, cookie), heavy hops (perfume, flowers), average yeast (leather, dough) with notes of heavy alcohol, dates, apples, prunes, and toffee. Full bodied, alcoholic texture, lively carbonation, and a bitter finish. Long duration, moderate sweetness, heavy acidity and bitterness. Tastes of cardboard; maybe it needs some time to mellow out. This Barley Wine is just not doing it for me.

Bottle courtesy of puzzl. 02/08 bottling. Deep amber hazy brew topped by a thick fast-fading tan head. Rich sweet malty aroma. Nice crystal malt/toffee aroma with a lovely cookie dough sweetness and some fruity US hops as well. Light prickly ethanol on the nose. It’s got nice balance of sweetness and hoppiness. Rich and sweet but not cloying at all. I’d heard bad things about this brew, but a few extra months of aging seems to have smoothed this out quite a bit. Silky palate, moderate bitterness. More like a UK-style in terms of bitterness, but with lots of US-type barleywine flavour.

Pours a dark amber with minimal head and carbonation. Flavors of caramels and fruit, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. This will knock you on your butt fast if you are not careful...