Bison Organic Barleywine

Brewed by Bison Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Berkeley, California USA

Serve in Snifter

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Bottled. An unclear dark amber beer with a thin orange head. The aroma is sweet grassy hoppy, but also with light notes of dust and alcohol. The flavor is very sweet with strong notes of over ripe fruits, medium notes of grapefruit and dust from the hops, and light notes of alcohol.

(Bottle 65 cl) Slightly hazy, dark amber golden with a yellowish head. Sweetish aroma of caramel and overripe fruit. Quite full-bodied with sweetish caramel malt and overripe fruit and then a somewhat raw and brutal hop bitterness in the finish - they really should work on getting some better quality hops. Not a grand Barley Wine but better than its average indicates. 250407

Date: 01/06/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Blind Tasting

cloudy amber, wispy white head with frothy edges, light fruity aroma with essence of apricot, nice and well balanced fruity malt flavor, light but lasting bitter finish

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: /10
Score: *4

Aroma of sweetish malt and citrus hop? Slightly hazy amber color. Smattering of tatters of a white head. Starts with a strange sweetness - a bit pruny or slightly medicinal. Medium mouthfeel. The alcohol is noticeable, but not harsh. Very smooth, develops nicely, but it’s not an incredibly hoppy barleywine. Just a strong, malty drink. For sipping.

Bottled. (Thx. Papsoe for sharing). Orange coloured. Unclear. Dense beige head. Alcohol, sweetness, grass and light spice in the aroma. Flavour has light liqourice, is herbal and sweet and has distinct alcohol notes. Medium to full bodied. Is light bitter in the end.

UPDATED: MAY 10, 2007 Bottle... Mostly clear, rose-hued, amber ale with a small, creamy, off-white head. Excellent retention. Perfumy aroma with additional notes of caramel malt and fruitcake. The flavor is sweet and sticky. The moderate bitterness isn’t enough to slice cleanly through the rich, candy-malt sweetness, but it does prevent cloying and make the beer palatable. Full-bodied with a syrupy mouthfeel and restrained carbonation. Lengthy, sweet, grassy finish. Thanks to boboski for providing this underrated gem!

Bottle From Jungle Jim’s. Poured clear copper color with an average off-white frothy head that motly lasted with good lacing. Moderate sour citrus, sweet malt and alcohol aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Medium balanced bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet finish of moderate duration. I would share this with a freind.

Sampled as part of a 19 beer blind barleywine tasting: Clear bronze copper with a nicely-lacing white head. Aroma of dry, earthy, slightly tart crystal malt and light grapefruit. Body starts fairly full with a mild earthy sweetness and a good hoppy bitterness toward a crisp bitter finish.

Bomber poured a clear reddish brown with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of carmel, toffee, brown sugar, pepper, light spice and a hint of dark fruit. Palate was medium bodied crisp and warming. Flavors of carmel, brown sugar, fig and raisin with a crisp warming bittersweet finish. Not a bad Barleywine, it just does’nt stand up against all the great Barleywines out there.

Deep orange pour. Toffee, rubbing alcohol and light hops is most of the below average aroma. Flavor is sweet and has a very herbal/artificial flavor. This is pretty terrible.