Brimstone Big Ale

Formerly brewed at Wild Goose LLC (Flying Dog)
Style: Barley Wine
Frederick, Maryland USA

Serve in Snifter

Brewtopia tasting. Oakes made sure Beershine tasted this and I happened to be at his table, so I ran over and tried this as well...Brown pour, very small beigehead. Aroma is very fruity and malty, I expected it to be nice and sweet and it was. seemed to be doing fine for the age. Glad I got to try this.

Figures I haven’t rated it yet. I did not take very good notes. So I’ll just say this. We all know that Brimstone Big was a strong, sweet, soft barley wine with a big alcoholic finish. I had it fresh, I had it with a little age and having tasted it again recently I can confirm that it is still holding up well. It’s very soft, but also chewy. There is only minimal oxidation (wax cap). The malts are therefore still quite thick, but retain their brightness and smoothness. The alcohol, if anything, seems to be toned down a bit now. It’s still beautiful, if you’ve got any stashed away.

Tiny sample at Brewtopia thank you Oakes for shouting at me. Aroma and flavors are slightly oxidized but does not detract from the fine, smooth and solid body...a fun one.

Bottle from 1998: Well after ten years of sitting and waiting to be drank....it didnt dissapoint. Pours a brown color, small head. Aroma was fruity. Taste was hard to put my finger on. It tasted like a stong (alcohol) Wee Heavy. Malty and fruity. Overall still sweet. Lots of carbonation, light to medium texture. Pretty good barley wine. Thanks bruce for sharing.

12oz Bottle. October 1999. Smells old. Cardboard, wax and old hops. A bit of sherry. Old. Pours a ruddy amber-sienna. Rim of white. Flavor is surprisingly dry. There’s still some wax. There’s dust and old hops. Still a lot of carbonation. Pretty bland malt profile, but still holding up. Not too aged. The best blend with this beer is half Dark Horse Whiskey Richard Lambic Ale and half of this beer and two fruit flies. Pair this with crackers. I love the dryness of this b-wine. Too bad it’s old and tastes like socks. Thanks Steve!

Rating #1200. Bottle 1998 at Paul’s Hoboken Gathering: Hazy a with a tan ring of head. Sweet aroma. Buttery and boozy with vanilla hints and a rum character. The flavor is sweet as well, yet has gained a subtle funkiness. Boozy and warming flavor, followed by a tart fruity hint of pomegranate and a roasted toffee-ish finish. Has aged fairly well, and the alcohol is masked nicely. An interesting and complex Barley Wine.

12oz bottle acquired in trade with mreusch (thanks!). Bottle labeled bottled in October 1998. Poured a deep and cloudy amberish color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of dark fruits, cherries, caramel, toffee, and some oxidization and cardboard. Tastes of tart cherries, caramel, light cardboard, and toffee. Lively body. Medium to heavier alcohol in the finish. This one showed it’s age but was still drinkable.

[Bottled 10/98] Poured a murky red color with a small light tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of oxidized sherry, brown sugar, dark fruits, and a bit of vanilla. Taste of tart cherries, wood, caramel malts, some cardboard, and strong alcohol in the finish. Lively mouthfeel.