Victory Old Horizontal

12oz. Bottle $12.99 6-Pack Binny’s Orland Enjoy before 12/29/11 Old Horizontal poured a hazy burnt caramel(if that makes sense). A half finger head formed on the pour that quickly dropped to nothing but a small swirling island of white foam. When held to the light it glows ruby red. I see only a couple carbonation bubbles rising to the surface. This head eventually disappears completely. There is zero sign of any head after 1/4 of the glass is drank. The lack of head detracts from the overall impression. Smell is a little underwhelming but what is there is juicy. A big aroma of grape bubblegum greets my nose upfront. This is mixed with some floral characteristics such as rose petals. There’s also somewhat of a tea like quality present. Graininess shows as this barleywine heads to room temp. Mild alcohol. Like I said, it smells juicy but there isn’t substance. Flavor starts off with a strong graininess. The grape juice comes around mid palate but is much more subdued than in the aroma. A moderate hop bite shows up and finishes things off with a decent citric bitterness. Warming alcohol on the swallow. This is on the fence here between a 3.5 and 4. I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt. Body is on the heavier side of medium with sluggish carbonation. Leaves a mild coating on the throat that goes nicely for the style. Slightly warming alcohol on the swallow. Nice. Drinkability is actually pretty good for the high ABV. I could drink a couple in a sitting. Not the best example of an American Barleywine I’ve had but it is an enjoyable brew. Fairly simple flavors but enjoyable none the less. 3/11/07

This barleywine poured a deep reddish/brown with little head...It dissipated quickly, sort of like a champaign. Hmmm...it actually wasn’t as good as I expected, from the reviews anyway. I feel as if this barleywine is a little too big, and the flavors had a hard time getting over the taste of alcohol. Not bad though, by any stretch of the immagination. It was still pleasant with the faint hints of plum, fig, and raisins. Honestly, not a bad value, if you like this style.

12 oz bottle. Poured a deep reddish/brown with a nice creamy off white head. Aroma was not nearly as sweet as I expect from this style but had some floral hops, alcohol and musty odor that lingered in the background. Flavor was dry for this style with LOTS of alcohol warming that almost overloads the palate. While it was still fairly cool and the alcohol was some what in check I could taste chocolate covered strawberries, spice, dark fruit and lots of malt. Maybe this one will improve with age.

Dark copper/red tone, good head that thins and laces glass. Fairly mild nose with light alcohol tone... harsh scotch and mild sour flavor, partly imparted by the hops but clearly imbedded alcohol. It was recommended to drink COLD and I would advise the same; it would probably tame the off-flavors and allow the flavor of the ale to show though. Wish I had taken that advice...

Bottle Dark brown pour with a very small head but still great lacing. Aroma of malts, caramel, grapes. Flavor is definitely stronger than the aroma, but follows the same characteristics. Very complex flavor profile, wonderful brew.

Smooth caramel malty aroma some hints of grapes and apples. Pours a rich amber. Malty, caramel and brown sugar, smooth with some spices, and alcohol. Would be a great winter warmer!

Picked up last 12-oz bottle from Cellar’s Wine & Spirits in St Paul, MN. From a 2006 vintage bottle, pours a dark amber brew with a cloudy off white thick head. Dissolves fast to a fine lacing. Aroma is grapefruit, caramel, brown sugar, and sour apples. Taste is sweet, apple-ish fruit, raisins and a touch of prunes. Finish is sweet and a nice bitter aftertaste.

BB 2011. Pours a transluscent, deep amber color with a fairly small, yellowish, pillowy head; head is mostly diminishing with no lacing. Nose is potent with a significant alcohol presence; plum, raisin, hazlenut in a candy-like sweetness with a faint touch of spicy hops. Surprisingly balanced flavor between sweetness and bitterness but with alcohol making a presence; candy-like raisins and light berries with hazelnut, light resinous hops, and a drying bready note. Palate is just over medium with a slick, silky feel (if that’s possible), and soft carbonation with definate warmth. Finishes with a touch of dryness and light bitterness with beries and raisins still lingering. Not bad for the style , but surprisingly simple and with a significant warmth. Some nice vinous notes with a good balanced sweet-bitter profile, but too young and not somplex enough to be one of the better examples of a BW.