 awaisanen (1132), Irvine, California, USA
Mar 28, 2006 Updated: Nov 27, 2006
From a 12oz bottle, vintage 2004, batch 6714.
3/25/06 Tasting Notes. 8/4/9/4/18 = 4.3
Dark brown, cherry wood, mahogany color with a ruby red glow and a delicate white lace crown. Honey, syrupy aroma with some balck cherry, caramel, and yeasty undercooked raspberry tart. The sweet and spicy fruitiness of this beer is truly amazing and definitely worthy of its namesake. The flavors are even more complex and eccentric than the nose. Distinct notes of celery leaf and cumin seed noted above the fruity base. Final smack of spicy fig and spiced rum. Awesome brew.
11/26/06 Tasting Notes. 9/4/9/5/18 = 4.5
Pours a murky nougat brown color with a fine layer of foamy cream head. Rich dark fruity malt dimensions that send waves of rummy fig and raisins to the nostrils. Some gingerbread spice and maple syrup tones are also hiding in there. A pinch of cinnimon and some caramelly bourbon with a hint of vanilla. Complex aroma that I can still remember vividly while entering this rate the following day. Full bodied, almost sticky mouthfeel, but with a shimmering carbonation that softens up the palate a bit. The flavors are as rich and complex as the aroma. Lots of caramel and vanilla begin on the palate with some dark fruity fig spice. This is dried up by some light toasted oak notes that darken up the palate along with some prunes and a very mild clove spice. Plenty of ginger as well. I love the spicy tingle it leaves on the palate. A pleasant hop bitterness rounds out the flavors, closing with a final smack of spruce resins. Very nice, and is how I would envision a woody spiced barleywine.
pepsican (667), the beer wastelands of, Iowa, USA
Aug 16, 2008 ’04 vintage at the GTMW. Murky brown pour with a thin tan head. Mint, caramel aroma. Flavor was mint, anise, caramel, pine cones, cherry, earth. Medium carbonation, really interesting.
Skyview (2777), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
Aug 10, 2008 Special tapping around 4pm at GTMW ’08. Sampled on draught, pours a clear dark amber brew with a thin off-white head that quickly dissipates to a fine film and off-white ring. Aroma of caramel malt, dark pitted fruits, brown sugar, alcohol, cherry and a touch of mint. Taste is medium bodied, very light carbonation with flavors of dry caramel malt, some wintergreen, citrus, dark pitted, burnt brown sugar, and a touch of cherry. Finish is high alcohol warmth with a mild caramel malt and brown sugar aftertaste that slowly disappears. I didn’t get a high volume of hops profile per older ratings but it was quite enjoyable.
inkubus27 (93), USA
Aug 10, 2008 2004 Batch at GTMW. This is a beer I’ve always wanted and was really let down. The main thing that turned me off about this was the overwhelming alcohol presence. From the aroma to the taste to the burn down the back of your throat, this was just all about alcohol, and I’m guessing a lot of it. The good parts about it was the body and mouthfeel, other than that I wouldn’t go out of my way to try this beer again.
ThunderChicken (10), Texas, USA
Jul 6, 2008 2006 Eccentric Ale:
Wow.
This one will leave you pondering.
t\The nose is wonderful, and yet confusing.
Silky and dark with a lingering head of dark tan. It tastes of coffee, then sweet malt. It is very complex. There is definitely a lot going on here. I dont know if im picking out the popcorn or the malt balls. there is somthing vegetal, but it mingles perfectly. A slight bite on the back of the palate just to remind you you are drinking something special.
Quake1028 (627), Tampa, Florida, USA
Jun 18, 2008 2005 bottle courtesy of my man Greg. Clear amber body with a light khaki head. Nose is very minty, took me by surprise actually, but it smells very good and works well with the beer. Other than that we have assorted spices, caramel malts and some earthy tones. Flavor profile drops a little of the mint notes, it’s still there in the background, but this show is carried by the spices and fruity/earthy notes, then sweet caramel. Medium bodied, luscious and a treat to drink, especially considering the style. Finish is lengthy, caramel, spice and mint ride into the finish. Awesome brew.
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