 can8ianben (641), Pasadena, California, USA
Oct 4, 2005
wow, this one is very interesting. hints of just about everything going on. Very wine-like, hints of apples, cinnimon, subtle smokiness, rich grain, molasses, amazing.
The beer pours light, nice carbonation, nothing going on with the head. Dark brown in colour. Alcohol content is very well hidden!
Pawola22 (92), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Oct 5, 2008 12 oz bottle.
Pours a particle filled, murky redish/mohagony with no head. Minimal lace. Complex aroma dominated by a sweet malt and a Belgian yeast strain. Notes of berries, caramel, sweet baking vanilla, pancakes and maple syrup, alcohol/whiskey, and smoked roasts. Smooth and full bodied. Taste is initially sweet and full of caramel, maple syrup, sharp/tart raspberries and raisons. Then moves to a pronounced roast/smokiness that I love in a barley wine. Finishes clean, smooth, warm, and oaky. Not really bitter, which is nice. Overall, this is fantastic. It has the sweetness of a Belgian strong ale, a little bit of scotch whiskey, and a unique roastiness that makes this a great take on the style and a favorite from DFH. Props.
thickfreakness (101), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 5, 2008 From 5/10/08. Bought a 4-pack of this today at Grapevine in Austin for $16.
Poured at cellar temp into my Duvel tulip. It pours a nice dark amber, actually reminiscent of maple syrup, with a beige head that slowly settles to a thin layer of foam. It leaves some pretty nice lacing on the glass as I drink. The smell is totally dominated by the peat smoked malts and oak aging for me. I get a hint of vanilla and some alcohol in the nose too. The taste is similar to the smell with lots of peat and oak. As it warms it gets sweeter (maybe finally the maple syrup?) and the malts start to shine through but the peat and oak just aren’t really doing it for me. Its got a very nice thick mouthfeel that is not unexpected. Overall its not extremely drinkable for me with all the smokiness and peat and I wish I had only purchase a single but its worth trying.
yankeefan21 (72), USA
Oct 3, 2008 Bottle: Pours a nice amber with a thin off white head. Alcohol and malt are present on the nose. I let my first mouthful sit on my tongue to enjoy all the complex tastes. The vanilla and maple are evident on the edges of the tongue while the middle and roof of the mouth are aware of the malty alcohol. I was actually quite surprised at how quickly this barley wine disappeared from my glass - dangerously drinkable for something with 11% ABV. I like it a lot and would get it again. Don’t bother letting this age, though.
Rynoplasty (234), Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Pours deep amber brown with a thin white head. Aroma is big and malty, with hints of caramel and alcohol. Taste is also big and malty with some nice caramel flavor and a very slight after warming. Very good.
Alraomon (63), Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Sep 28, 2008 A deep clay-red colour, red hues around the edges, but closer to brown otherwise. A creamy, off-white head tops it off
I really notice the vanilla here... probably the first thing on the nose. Some maple joins it, along with a caramel and a touch of cardboard. The Canadian in me likely holds a fondness for the maple scent ;)
A bit of an unusual flavour. Spiciness, along with the vanilla and maple noted in the nose. It’s almost a little puckering, and a bit unusual - both in feel and taste. Smoked and toasted malts, almost becomes a little too tart and/or cloying to my palate as it goes - yet, it’s not exactly something I’d classify a ’modest sipper,’ either. Hefty ABV, but didn’t leave a hefty impression, unfortunately. An interesting experience, overall... it does appear to have a following, so do taste it. I personally have troubles finding positive qualities in it.
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