 rajendra82 (655), Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
Apr 13, 2008
The color of this XIV anniversary pour was deep copper and the head was one finger thick. The mild smell was not as hoppy as most American Barleywines, but it was tilted more towards the hops than the malts. The taste is where this beer came to its own identity. It was well attenuated dry taste with woody and smoky flavors quite noticeable as result of the lack of heavy sweetness. The hops provided a bit of spice, and the alcohol (which was at 10.4% ABV) was apparent but not over the top. I liked the uniquely non fruity approach of this beer to barleywine quite a bit. The mouthfeel was dense as anticipated and the aftertaste warming. Very easy to drink this one quite rapidly, so watch out.
I picked my six pack up at Bullocks on Sandy Plains Rd. in Marietta.
Beerlando (1458), Orlando, Florida, USA
Nov 30, 2008 14th anniversary vintage, bottled on 1/14/08 and consumed 11+ months later. Pours a dark and cloudy caramel brown to chestnut color. A frothy, well retained, beige colored head displays excellent retention, and leaves dense rings of foamy lace all the way down the glass. The aroma shows brown sugar and caramel notes in the base, followed by sherry-like, alcoholic fruity notes of cherry and fig. Sugar glazed dates and walnuts lend further depth, while perfumy, floral hops add a touch of balancing bitterness. Flavors are similar, caramel and brown sugar now accompanied by a hint of maple. Figs, dates, and nuts are joined by a hint of orange zest. The floral bitterness is a bit more pronounced in the mouth, especially on the lightly peppery finish. Medium-full in body, well balanced, and only lightly syrupy, the mouthfeel is solid for the style. Complex enough, for sure, but suffering from just a bit too much alcoholic heat. Nice brew, overall.
Kevin (1779), Colorado, USA
Nov 29, 2008 xv. deep maroon in color with a strong malty hop spice nose with a hint of booze and some mint. sweet and fresh woody treebark flavor hits me first, light bubblegum and a touch of banana, then gives way to richer watered down pancake syrup. berry finish works well as a counterpoint to the drier hop alcohol initial flavors. sweeter than i expected for something listing an abv this high. the booze is very much in the background.
4 7 7 3 14
axilla (948), New Providence, Pennsylvania, USA
Nov 29, 2008 XII. This one’s been in my cellar for a while. I haven’t had a lot of luck with this brewery, I even had an employee of Uinta contact me with a very nasty e-mail about my ratings. Pours a medium bodied dark amber color with a few small bubbles but no real head. The aroma is mild plums and some earthy carmel malts. The flavors is semi-sweet caramel, a little tobacco, molasses, and a very subtle hop presence. The alcohol is pretty much non-existant in the flavor. This one is way past it’s prime but still my favorite Uinta to date. I’ll pick up a fresh bottle soon to compare.
soyorganic (138), Denver, Colorado, USA
Nov 21, 2008 Pours a dark red with yellowish head. Aroma of hops, sweet malt and alcohol. Hops dominate most of the taste. I am not the number 1fan of hop heavy barley wines as I could just drink an IPA. Although the hops are not over the top, I prefer more of a sweet flavor. The sweet caramely taste is there but the hops take it over. Alcohol is not noticeable. Heavily carbonated for a barley wine, maybe because the date is 9/29/08 and it hasn’t mellowed much. But still, much better a majority of beers out there.
daknole (1122), Plantation, Florida, USA
Nov 15, 2008 I got this from douglas88 and belgianbeergal. Dark brown pour. Aroma is very sweet with a good nose of hops too. Flavor would be really nice but I personally do not love very hoppy barleywines and this one is hoppy. But it has a great mouthfeel and its obvious this beer is well made...just not my perfect style.
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