Barleys Barley Wine

Hand bottled courtesy of JCW: Pours a bright copper brown with a thin off-white and lightly lacing head. Sweet rich caramel butterscotch English barleywine aroma with a touch of hops and lemon citrus. Starts rich and syrupy with some earthiness turning much more dry and grainy toward the finish. Hides it’s alcohol well, but could be a touch more balanced. Still an enjoyable barleywine though. Thanks John!

Cask conditioned and hand pulled: Glowing ruby brown hue with a very creamy ivory head and great lace, one beautiful brew. Aroma is big and piney! Full attack upon the nose with additional hints of butterscotch, toasted malt, pineapple, wood, earthy yeast, and resin. The taste starts very piney as well. A good fruity and sweet malt tones provide balance. A touch smoky and woody as well. The finish is bitter and the pine does linger on and on. Lush and heavy, sticky full-bodied brew. Moderate alcohol level present but not overpowering. Wow, what a find, a knockout. Perhaps the cask mellowed this brew and provided depth, for I found it to be a big winner! Seek this out.

Growler of Divine thanks to KP. Poured a very deep hazy reddish-brown with an off-white head. Sweet fruity malt aroma with dark fruits and some citrusy hop. The malty flavor was sweet and fruity with hops cutting through to make it soooooo drinkable. The was medium to full bodied. I don’t know the ABV but the alcohol is hidden. It was so tasty I almost drank the whole growler myself.

2004 homebottled bottle from Santa. Pours a healthy amber-yellow with some light orange and tinges of auburn. Small fizzy off-white head. Aroma of c-hops? Pretty bitter and citric ones, anyways. Light toffee notes in the background and some dry earthy notes. Flavor begins with an immediate dryness from the yeast. It seems to be English, with some brown bread, nuts and dusty earthy notes. Malt tastes like maris otter in a way. Quickly jumps in to some hops bitterness, must be some cascades (or something very similar) in here. Citric and bitter. Lots of dry english toffee-like flavors mixed with caramel and a hint of sugar. Very even, full body, with very low carbonation and a big finish of sweet candied oranges, butterscotch, and whipped cream. Some alcohol on the finish, but it is pleasant and gives a warming sensation. As hoppy as this is, it’s somehow quite tasty and balanced. English in nature, with the peculiar aspect of high alpha american hops in the mix. I think it works pretty well though. Or maybe I was just in the mood for some hops tonight! Thanks so much Secret Santa, this was a treat!

Growler straight away from the brewpub, courtesy of Sliffy at the Ohio International gathering. Dark Orange colour with C aroma, too hoppy for my preferred English barleywine palate. White head. Bitter and very hoppy, with sugar and toffee and carmel thrown in. Doesn’t all go together for the style.