Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine

Brewed by Three Floyds Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Munster, Indiana USA

i wonder how many people like myself have tried 100s of beers but are still very intimidated to try their first barley wine. i had no idea what to expect. ive drank 11% IIPAs and tons of strong beers so that was not my worry, looking back....im not sure what was! well rest easy little ones, i uncorked this baby (purple wax, the thickest ive ever dealt with) and took a sniff. my first thought was ’hops!’. that might sound obvious but i was worried this would stink like pure booze. well it doesnt, and it doesnt taste like it either! this is syrupy like an IIPA often is, its sticky and thick, its robust from all the malts, its meaty, its substantial. i think its those qualities that make it NOT an IIPA but a barley wine. there is almost a candy like quality but not in terms of any kind of cloying sweetness, its almost a sharp taste intermingled with so many other wonderful malt notes. this is honestly one of the most balanced beers ive ever had which is amazing considering how wildly strong all of the notes are. the hops are overwhelming right off the bat as any FFF is but the malt is so upfront...its very intense. this is a BIG BEER and very satisfying, this is truly a revelation for me. i have enjoyed letting many a strong porter and stout warm and discovering new notes, but this almost begs for warmth. i look forward to drinking some highly warmed behometh’s this winter.

2008 bottling. Orange amber with a tight tan head. Nice piney, floral hop aromas with strong malty sweetness. Heavy body( but not syrupy ) with flavors of sweet caramel, with sweet floral and pine sap hops. A very good dipa/barleywine hybrid brew.

22oz bottle, Yellow wax. Pours dark amber with a moderate off-white head. The depth of flavors is incredible. Lots of hops with caramel/alcohol sweetness and hints of dark fruits. A perfectly balanced barley wine. Yet another amazing, huge beer from Three Floyds.

This is it, the one. My only perfect score. I am a fan of the barley wine, and FFF nailed it. The bomber was an 08’. Poured nice and thick into cool goblet like glass after taking bottle out of fridge and left outside for a good twenty minutes. Enough citrussy, floral, fruity hop scent to fill a gym. On first taste (still a little cold) it reminds me of the Dreadnaught. Very nice. As I continued on, the behemoth warmed up. This is where it shines. Every sip was an adventure bringing forth more and more distinct flavors. Incredibly well-balanced. This puts all other barley wines (maybe beers too) to shame. God bless Three Floyds!

Bottle: orange-ruby pour with a thin white ring. Alcohol and caramel malt fills the nose, and the flavor is big on sweet malts, sugars, light fruits, and a citrus hop backbone. This is a BIG beer.

2007 (yellow wax) thanks to pepsican. I just was able to find 2008 (purple wax) today at Lone Hill Liquors in Los Angeles. Viscous pour. Hazy amber color with not much head but good lacing. Aroma of Molasses, caramel, pine, grapefruit and a bit of rochefort. Taste is pine and molasses, with some nuts towards the finish (and the finish is a bit bitter. Syrupy.

nice aroma. Very nice taste. Shared w/ derekbang. Tons of flavor! Citrus and so much more. Excellent brew!

This stuff is definitely the Behemoth of beers at FFF. Lots of hops in this one, with the Three Floyds flavor still here. Great taste with a darker, dense look. The alcohol notes are there, but its not extremely overpowering.