Thirsty Bear Bearly Legal Barley Wine

Brewed by Thirsty Bear Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
San Francisco, California USA

Draught at the brewpub. Lightly hazy amber. Sweet malt dominates this beer. There’s lots of toffee, butterscotch and some light orangey notes. The sweetness feels somewhat saccharine-like and starts to burn your throat. The hops play second fiddle to the malt, but some salty bitterness takes the edge of the sachharine sweetness. Has potential to improve greatly with aging.

Golden-amber colour. Sweetly malty with light fruit notes. Though a year old, it’s still very sweet with bright fruitiness and late alcohol. I like the flavours but would prefer to try again in a few years when it’s dried out a bit and hopefully the complexity has come into form a bit more.

Golden amber color, small head. Aroma is malty and fruity with a touch of oak. This is the first barleywine that I’ve had that was served in a wineglass! Not complaining because it worked. A big and bold aged in oak barley wine. Malts are bold, slightly sweet and very smooth. Hops are slightly spicy. Well balanced. Smooth taste with a slightly oiliness. Reminiscent of a nice sherry. Touch of oak, cask aged 3 years. Incredibly complex flavors. Nice barleywine, worth seeking out. The food at this place is also amazing. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter with a noticeable alcohol bite.

Draft. Rich deep amber with a HUGE off-white head. Sweet malt aroma, spice, and a bit of something resembling wine that turned to vinegar. Caramel malt, and a slightly burnt flavor. Enough hops to keep it interesting. Nice and complex.

Not on the menu but told by our server it just became available. On tap, at the brewpub. Dark orange, thick white head. Some sweet caramel and alcohol in pleasing aroma. Very very sweet flavourful taste. Light on the hop side, but similar to the old crusty I had on tap earlier in the day at Rogue. Not overly complex, but then again, quite drinkable at this alcohol level. Just a tad watery. Very good and a great way to end the night.

Tap. Hazy amber with a plush head. Lots of fruits, alcohol, and malts. Sweet aftertaste.

On tap at the brewery: Slightly hazy orange color with a slight film (tan) on top. The aroma was a very unique candy grape with some nice malts. The flavor was very sweet...candy grape, malts, and some alcohol burn in the finish. The feel was soft and thick.

Slightly hazy orange color with a creamy off-white head. Strong grape tootsie pop aroma. Rich sweet malty, caramel, and grape tootsie pop flavors. Pretty thick feel, with a somewhat dry finish. My favorite Thirsty Bear brew!