Two Brothers Bare Tree Weiss Wine (2002 and later)

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Warrenville, Illinois USA

2006 edition - Pours bronze with a small beige head. The aroma is thick wheat that has banana esters, but takes it to a different level where is has some sweet melon as well. There is also some light spice and sweet cloying malt. Very fruity aroma. Medium / thick body that is smooth and lush with a bit of sharp carbonation on the finish. The taste starts with the banana and melon from the aroma as well as having aspects of grass, pepper, vanilla, wood and spices with a slight alcohol burn. The finish has more burn but becomes more sharp and crisp than most beers of this strength. An interesting an unique beer I would enjoy having again.

2006 pours orange with a pinkish hue. I wanted to try this fresh to see if I should buy another bottle to store. Aroma of fruit esters. A sharp pepperish bite follows a chewable vanilla sweetness. I think the oak aging gives it an astrigent quality. A unique and complex tasting Barely WIne. The 11% stays hidden. Incredible lace retintion. A sticky dry peppery palate. For a young Barely Wine this taste excellent. I may have to buy 2 bottles cause I will be tempted to drink this again.

Arjoseph brought this to the Nashville tasting. 2006 bottle. I had been wanting to try this for awhile. Pours amber with a frothy white retentive head. Very strong aroma, which is dominated by banana esters, with some faint vanilla and clove in the background. Medium mouthfeel and slightly syrupy. The flavor is very sweet, with notes of wheat malt, vanilla, clove, coriander. Mild bitterness on the finish with some lingering pepper. This is a little young, and should improve with age as the flavors meld.

2003 Vintage... When I first popped this bottle, I was a bit concerned. From a distance, the aroma is skunky and musty. However, once I got my nose down in there it was quite complex and I could pick out scents of wheat, apple, banana, oak, and some alcohol (that actually enhanced the aroma). There is also a sweet/tart/sour type thing going on in the aroma as well which adds to the complexity... This is a really beatiful beer. I served it in a large red wine glass. The initial pour resulted in half liquid and half creamy, dense, light yellow-colored head. When the glass was full, the color was a deep golden yellow color (opaque - not really muddy or cloudy though). At about half or a third of a glass it was a really vibrant golden yellow color and the carbonation bubbles seemed to sparkle as they bubbled up to the top. It was really quite impressive and mesmerizing. The head never fully collapses as there is always a thick crown that leaves an ample amount of a lacing on the glass. It’s interesting though because at times some "streaking" or "legs" are also visible (similar to what is seen with wine or liquor)... The flavor is just as complex, if not more so, than the aroma. There are so many flavors at play in this beer that also cause an intense sweet/tart/sour complexity - apples, pear, apricot, wood, banana, wheat, light lemon, even and touch of spice and at times just the slimist hint of smoke or something! Just after swallowing there is a tinge of alcohol, but then the finish kicks in. Initially the finish is a little sweet and fruity, but that quickly gives way to a really pleasing long dry, acidic/tart finish... This beer is highly carbonated, but it feels soft and creamy on the palate - not fizzy at all... This was a really fantastic beer and a memorable drinking experience. Hands down this is the most complex and best Two Brothers beer that I have had so far! I’m trying to find a fresh bottle so I can experience this stuff young because this particular aged bottle reminds me more of a Belgian-type beer rather than a Barley Wine. Either way, this is an awesome beer! (If you couldn’t tell from my lengthy comments, I really, really like this beer!) -- 750 mL bottle.

2004 vintage -- Huge thanks to RealityDeviant from BeerAdvocate for showing up with this gem. Golden orange body with a light white head. Aroma of sour apple, wheat, cheddar cheese. Great taste, grapes, light Granny Apple tartness. Smooth fruity ending.

Thanks to RealityDeviant from BA for generously donating this beer to the richmond crew. Hazy amber body with a small off-white head. Sweet caramel aroma, with a slight sour kick. Sweet caramel flavor, more sour kick, some nice fruit flavors.

Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer Artist Series ‘05. Sweet and sour aroma. Reminded me of the aroma of that cheap rhine wine my aunt use to drink. Flavor was sweet and sourness was little overwhelming at first. Sourness mellowed out in the second glass from bottle to add some sticky texure to the body. Little grain flavor present in second glass. Orange body with white head. Dry sour palate.

Barley Wine Style Weiss Beer Artist Series ‘05. Nose of wheat, bananas, band-aids, pears, and apples. Pours a clear amber at first, then on next pour the addition of yeast floaties is abundant. The nice cascade becomes a very creamy off-white head that is mostly lasting. Sweet Jesus! The flavor is HUGE. Some heavy acidity produces moderate tartness. Initially feels like a lambic, only it actually tastes good. Very fruity middle moves to a sour finish. The light creamy body is dry and soft. I’m really impressed. This brew is sensational!