Empire Barrel Aged Barleywine

Brewed by Empire Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Syracuse, New York USA

Serve in Snifter

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Poured a cloudy brownish amber with a small lasting tan head. Aromas of bourbon, oak, vanilla, cherry and toffee. Palate was medium bodied and smooth with a dry finish. Flavors of bourbon, oak, vanilla, toffee and cherry with a smooth dry lingering bourbon finish.

Big bourbon aromas and taste. Rich bourbon but also sweet, big coconut, and boozy. Hoppy, citrusy,fruity all giving way to bourbon domination. Dark brown coloured body, the big soapy head dissipitated yet lacey. Above average mouthfeel. A sipper.

On tap at Rattle N Hum for the Empire takeover, 5-17-11. Pours a hazy brown with just a touch of tan head. Aroma is loaded with caramel, booze, oak, and dark fruit. Taste starts out very sweet, nutty with more caramel and a hint of vanilla. More fruit in the middle, but hops come out much more on the finish, leaving a dry, herbal bitterness. Very complex, the oak and bourbon really come through strong on the aroma, but I like the balance between the bourbon / malt sweetness up front and the dry hops on the finish. A definitely winner from Empire.