Brooklyn Monster Ale

First off this bottle I had was one that I had totally forgotten about. Just shy of 5 years old. The beer held up very very well. Sugary, candy and a bit of raisins. Nice darker color. Got a hint of brown sugar out of it as well. Not much head, but I am curious if this is because of the age of the beer. Really became a very sweet dessert beer. Great barleywine!

2007 edition, picked up at the Strath in Victoria on 17-Mar-2009. Clear copper-brown pour, loose beige head with little retention and scant lacing. Somewhat raisiny nose with notes of leather, smoke, spice, and horseblanket. Flavour is raisiny with bittering hops and a warm, boozy finish. Moderately creamy mouthfeel, relatively low carbo.

2 355ml Shard with Pyrozoid and French Tickler. Copper appearance with a minimal taned head. Aroma:caramel, alcohol, resin, vanilla prunes and toffee, Flavor:, alcohol, caramel, white pepper, light vanila taste and hops. Palate medium to full body, soft carbonation, oily, silky with a caramel alcohol finish.

Dégusté avec Agaguk et Pyrozoid. Apparence cuivré/orangé avec une belle mousse beige qui as rapidement diminué. Aromes de cuire, d’alcool, prunes, kiwi, alcool, cerises et vanille... Aromes assez complexe. Tres agréable en bouche, vélouté, tres équilibré entre le sucré et l’amertume... meme piquant un peu. Je suis tres impressioné par cette sensation dans la bouche... tres dure a expliquer. Gout de caramel cémeux, creme brulé, houblon citronné et cuire reviens également. De belle éfluves d’alcool complete cette biere.

Bouteille. Dégusté avec french tickler et Agaguk. Bière de couleur rouille clair avec un moyen collet collant. Odeur d’alcool, sucre, caramel, floral, semblant de bois, cendré, sirop d’érable et épices. Gout d’orange, un peu le citron, thé glacé, un peu les épices et sirop d’érable.

Has a nice, malty aroma with a strong overtone of molasses and a hint of yeast - not what I expect from such a strong barleywine. Pours a nice coppery amber with a fairly thick, slightly orangy off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly. Rich, slightly, sweet, malty flavor has strong hints of burnt caramel and brown sugar, and almost masks the jagged alcohol bite. Texture is lively, fizzy and sassy, going down the pipes with an attitude.

Bottle. Pours a golden amber color. The aroma is complex alcohol, fruit, and hops. Flavor is well balanced sweet malt, fruit and citrus hops. Near perfect carbonation, not overly bitter and warming alcohol. Excellent.

From a bottle minimal head released aroma of malt and hops. Not a fan of barley wine and this brew did not change me over. Bitter and the indegridents fight a battle and the only winner is the high alcohol content.