Barley BB10° (Dexi)

Brewed by Birrificio Barley
Style: American Strong Ale
Maracalagonis (CA), Italy

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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The pour appears flat, but a soft film of tan carbonation pokes its head out briefly. The body is dense, not opaque, and very dark chocolate brown with violet hues outlying. This appears well-suited for mulling or chilled consumption, or anywhere in between. Molasses and smoke lead a grapeskin parade that is riddled with woodiness and bittersweet cocoa. Caramel, dried figs, strawberry and black cherry notes peek through. Tobacco, vanilla, charred grains and wine acids seep through next. The remainder is tumultuous, a nutty expedition weaving inward to a dark fruity core. this has loads of personality, seems suitably spiced and above all else is enjoyably unique - the last of which is a trait I am beginning to readily associate with the new breed of wildly experimental Italian brewers - my heart is stolen away once again. Alcohol is readily available but seems aligned with the intentions of the aroma and is therefore not troubling. The flavor is a dynamic cross-section of vinous cultures and wood-infused chocolate with gargantuan caramel and bittered undercurrents. The sweetness level is high and the mouthfeel is sticky but this doesn’t reach cloying levels due to hearty underlying acidity and pleasing bitterness. Experimentation here is a success, the palate soothed by full body and velvety low carbonation. The finish is medium-dry, sticky, sweet and chocolatey. Incredibly enjoyable and one-of-a-kind.

Pours an insanely dark brown, with such a small head I wonder if there is any carbonation at all. The aroma is a fiesta of dark fruit, cedar, light cigar tobacco, a slight cola note, some figs and the malt. The flavor is as complex and intriguing as the aroma. A roasted component comes through here, with a slight chocolate note and a slight, but harmonizing acidity. I really need more of this one.

murky brown with no head. looks like swamp water. opaque. musty, basement funk, grapes, hint of chocolate aroma. flavor is winey, powdery, grapes, cocoa, alcohol. palate is dry and chalky.

UPDATED: APR 22, 2009 Now that is something special. Catherine hated it! John, from the excellent Off License shop in Rome recommended us this beer as his favourite on that particular day. It is made with grapes from Sardinia. It comes out a deep purple (like the band!) colour with brown connotations, almost headless and simply begs for a first place certificate in the Prof. Van Vliet’s Contest for International Unfiltration. From the first whiff, you’re dealing with dark malts of the burnt toast kind. They feel rather awkward with the fruits, contrasting chocolate, walnut and black olive notes with a forward grapey vinous character that never gets juicy nor dominating, but procures the warming effect of a Southern Italia Cru. Its darkness also translates into a very limited sweetness and that adds to the pile of characteristics that surprised me from that bottle. The palate is thick and very creamy while its carbonation is very soft, though it feels closer to syrup than silk. In the finish, extra notes of toast, tobacco, blackberries and wood chips all chime in. A very potent beverage, but one that tried a bit too much to me. I could not find anything to grab and focus on and it did not seduce me enough on its own for me to just follow its leadership.//////////////// A second tasting gathered the following notes and pushed a raise from 3.1 to 3.5: hugely grapey indeed, very very sweet choco, soft carbo. not that thick, excellent nuttiness, roast even.

Good dark beige head, fine & dense; deep dark brown beer. Chocolate, or cacaopowder, dark malts, hints at raisins or half-dried fruit. Bitter chocolate, tipped of by good hops & coffee flavour. Good body and balance, alcohol well-hidden. Impressive, not only because it is still a BEER. Fruit very unobvious.

UPDATED: JUL 8, 2008 Un po’ tanto complessa per i miei gusti, e forse assaggiata non nell’occasione più sgombra e tranquilla per farmene un’idea approfondita. Mi piacerebbe riprovarla da solo in una circostanza più meditativa; complimenti comunque al simpatico birraio per l’idea di utilizzare il mosto cotto di Cannonau. _______secondo assaggio_______stasera all’Irish di Quinto decisamente in migliore forma, è stata la birra più buona della serata. Fantastica. Non saprei come descriverla nella sua originalità impressionante e nella sua estrema profondità; straordinaria. La rivoto.