Cricket Hill Brewmaster’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine

Brewed by Cricket Hill Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
Fairfield, New Jersey USA

Serve in Snifter

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   add pic

Bottle via jtclockwork. Pours a clear amber clear amber color with soapy, lightly colored head with a hint of orange/tan tint. Nose brings forth some tobacco and sweetness, slightly candyish, a little licorice, and some bourbon beneath. Sweet but soft mellow flavors greet the tongue..not too cloyingly sweet though but the body could use more fullness, I’d say...that being said, it’s a very mellow, sweet, tobaccoey, and earthy ride with a cotton candy-like twist and hints of maple syrup & brown sugar...very drinkable despite the sweetness but would be more relaxing if it had some umph to the body as it comes across as slightly diluted. The bourbon brings an earthiness rather than a vanilla-heavy influence, which I definitely like. Not overly hoppy at all thankfully, just enough to keep the sweetness from being too forward. Nicely drinkable stuff though, no major complaints.

Bottle thanks to Dmac. Pours out a nice, amber color with a small whispy white head. Aroma is caramel, wood, bourbon, dried fruits and some sweetness. Taste is of very sweet caramel, toffee, wood, golden raisin, bourbon, and honey-like sweetness.

22oz bomber from John. Poured a good looking deep reddish/amber body with a smaller off white foamy head. Aroma of has some strong raisin notes, caramel, molasses, toast, vanilla, bourbon, oak and green grapes. Rather full bodied with soft carbonation and a milky mouthfeel. Flavor of caramel, malts, bourbon soaked oak, green grapes, alcohol and spiced rum. Overall I was surprised how full bodied this was and the overall sweetness despite some serious barrel aging which imparted a good dose of heat.

Bomber shared by BeerandBlues2 (thanks Brad) poured a clear orange amber with a small lingering amber head. Aromas of bourbon, oak, plum, vanilla, light cardboard and light carmel. Palate was medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of bourbon, oak, vanilla, carmel and light spice with a smooth dry lingering bourbon finish.

Big thanks to BeerandBlues2 for bring this to Ratmans. Poured a cloudy orange with a small white head. Aromas of bourbon, vanilla and caramel apples. Flavor is dry with a sweet coconut finish. Decent carbonation and easy drinker for a 8%+ ABV Barleywine. This is one of the better brews I have tried from Cricket Hill and worth seeking out. Thanks again Brad!

Bottle @ ratman’s, courtesy of beerandblues2. Huge thanks Brad! Ruby appearance with a bubbly white head. Rich toffee, vanilla, oaky, whiskey, rich caramel malty aroma. Rich caramel, toffee, vanilla, oaky, vanilla, a touch fruity, light espresso flavor. Nice beer.

22 ounce bottle. Bourbon with no bite. This 8 percent barley wine goes well with the bourbon. Very smooth.

Copperish colored pour, white head. Oak, vanilla, bourbon, spicy hops, caramel aroma. Flavor plays well with the bourbon, some oak, fair hop bitterness. Good stuff.

Bomber. Pours hazy coppery with ruby edges. Nose was fruity fuselly oaky esters, hops, caramel malt. Tastes rich, with a front end oak, bourbon, and fruit element, mid-palate hops, and fusel malt throughout. A bit harsh, not the most complex BW I’ve had, but not bad.

Bottle with ’BBA’ written in marker on the back of the bottle from jcwattsrugger...thanks John! - Pours clear brown with a thin ring of off-white head. Lots of toffee and caramel, with a smooth bourbon note--the barrel was kind to this beer. Really sweet toffee in the taste, caramel corn, nice bourbon sweetness--this sucker has mellowed out nicely. Buttery, but it works. Slick and big in the mouth, with minimal carbonation. Impressed with this one.

Bottle shared at Natifest ’11. Poured clear copper color with a minimal frothy off-white head that mostly diminished with fair lacing. Moderate to heavy dark fruit, nutty malt and small bourbon aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Moderate to heavy complex sweet woody bourbon flavor with a medium to heavy complex bittersweet finish of moderate to long duration. This is was a standout beer.