 mgermani (583), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
May 14, 2008 Pours a dark but crystal-clear amber with a minimal head and thin lacing. Aroma is light oak, raisins, note of alcohol, light diacetyl. Flavour overwhelms... very malty and sweet with an instantly warming finish. Some hops in the finish, but not enough to really bitter, just to give it a bit of a bite. This reminds me a bit of that soft drink "Hawaiian Punch" as it has a sort of tropical/berry thing going on towards the end. Lots of complexity here! Body is lightly carbonated and that’s ok, a bit thin but I can forgive that too. What a lovely sweet & complex barleywine, one of the best - very fond of this! Many thanks to Capflu for the trade!!!
CapFlu (3254), Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Nov 17, 2006 Updated: Nov 22, 2006(Draught) $4 for a 10oz glass. Lasting thin foamy white head and an ever so lightly carbonated deep ruby body. Nose of very green dates and warm butter. Flavour is nicely prune-like with dates and warm apples. Very slick and comforting for a cool Fall weather day in Victoria. Subtle yet wonderful. A great commemoration to John Williams whom perished 5 years ago - proceeds from this fine brew are given to the University of Victoria.
JoeMcPhee (3671), Jackson Heights, New York, USA
Mar 2, 2008 Thanks to Oakes for sending this one out. Hazy amber beer. Aroma is sweet and minty. Some bright pineapple, mango, and other tropical esters. Brown sugar, rum, toasted barley and a rich sweetness. Nice balance of soft hop bitterness, sweet juicy malts and fruity yeastiness. One of the fruitier barleywines I’ve had, but it works very well for me. Tasty brew.
CaptainCougar (4624), Rockville, Maryland, USA
May 5, 2007 Pours a transparent bright copper with a thin ring of light tan head. Sweet caramely malty aroma has some light fruity esters. Body starts fairly viscous and malty sweet drying slightly toward a more warming finish. Has a hint of butterscotchy diacetyl as well, but it’s not overpowering. A fairly complex barleywine.
GregClow (2318), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Feb 4, 2008 Bottle. Pours a very attractive ruby-orange with a small head that disappears quickly. Robust aroma with notes of sweet caramel malt, rum-soaked raisins, orange zest, and a warm and mellow hint of hops. Body is full and rich, and flavour follows pretty closely on the aroma, starting quite smooth and sweet with dried fruit and caramel notes, and moving into a long, warm finish that reminds you this is an 11% ale. Fine stuff!
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