2.6 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 10/20
They aimed for the middle and hit with amazing accuracy. Everything about this beer screams half-assed, from the weak aroma to the faint amber tint to the slippery palate, and ending up with the so-so flavor. This is a baseline for the style. It has no pizazz whatsoever.
3.1 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
Drank at Brewery 2001. Always, always a bit too hot. High alcohol, and probably due to their space constraints a bit young.
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
2002 Vintage- amazingly smooth and well aged. All of the edges are removed- completely smoothed out. Almost too drinkable- all malt up front and the alochol is scarily removed. A teaser for sure.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Tap at Bitter End. Batch 2002. Murky medium copper with some head and lacing. Smooth as silk. The hop bitterness has mellowed very nicel. Very balanced malt profile. Lots of body. Very warming as well. I’m glad they brought this out to try!
3.1 AROMA 3/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
2003 Batch
Aroma: dull, grain alcohol, some fruit and dirty socks
Appearance: dark, woody brown, white head, some lacing
Flavor: lots of dark wood, some peat/moss, earthiness, sweet berry flavor, cherry cough syrup
Palate: smooth and bubbly, crisp, slightly dry bite, woody aftertaste
2.9 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20
2003 vintage - sampled in Feb 2005. Plum colored with a very small head. Sharp aroma of plastic, dull grain alcohol and bleach? Metallic and full of chemical flavors... but there is a strong showing of decent plum and dark, sour cherries... abrasive and foul tasting at times with an acetone quality. Something happened to this one since 2003, and that something wasn’t good.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Had on tap at the B-Sides - Dark orange to amber colored pour with a generous amount of mocha colored foam - leads to good thick lacing. The aroma has a bit of a brandy essences to it with some molasses accents. Has some caramel, dates and raisins in the flavor with a bit of underlying smokiness. Not as much hops as I would expect in a Barley Wine though. Nice thick mouthfeel, overall, very decent.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
2003 version. Medium brown color with excellent head of very small bubbles. The aroma is malty with some hops coming through. The flavor is incredible with oak, must, vanilla, fruit, and candy sweetness. Wow! Thanks for saving a keg guys.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
2003: Poured hazy amber...smell is dark fruit and alcohol...taste is simple and delicate with light taste of dark fruits...finish is crisp and sweet with some alcohol...I never tried it before but I guess 2 years did it well...
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Agree that this tastes a bit under the alcohol strength for a BW, but for a bar, maybe that’s not such a bad idea. Not sure what the actual strength is, but it has all the other fine character needed. Malt and hops and a FINE mouth feel and nice aroma even for a stuffy head.
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