Fish Tale Leviathan Barleywine (Batch 5+)

From mcbackus via trade. The pour was ruby and brown in color, kind of dull actually. The head was compact, off-white and produced flecks of lacing. The aroma was lots of malt and sugar with minimal hops coming through. The flavor was sweet caramel maltiness, light fruit and not nearly enough in the hop department to make this anything more than an average BW. The mouthfeel was on the thin side and I found it almost too drinkable, not chewy or big, just OK.

Bottled at Petalax Beer Festival. (2004 vintage, batch 5) Clear pale brownish amber, small creamy head. Sugary caramel aroma. Sweet with medium-full body. Lots of toffee, some wood. Restrained citric hoppiness .some green apples. Perhaps the aging has diminished the hop levels a bit much, now it is more reminiscent of an English style barley wine, but without the malt depth. Finishes with lots of spun suga rand toffee. Soft and edgeless, but with no "wow!"

Bottled. Amber colour, small white head. Aroma is sweet malts, some alcohol and fruits. Also quite strong wooden and licoriceish notes. Flavour is sweet malts, plum and raisins. Mild notes of vanilla and wood too. Wellbalanced.

pours a clear reddish copper. Aroma is dark fruit alc, light licorice, medium malt and toffee sweetness. Flavour is herbal hoppy, somewhat medicinal. Comes across a little thin at times. Sweet malt combines with a medium bitter hop to balance nicely and make this a very approachable B.Wine. Hides it’s alc fairly well too.

22 oz bottle acquired in trade with Mcbackus. Pours a hazy amber hue with a 1/2" off white head. Minimal lacing. Aroma is malty, sweet candy & hoppy. Flavor is the same as nose with dark fruit flavors as well. Very enjoyable barleywine, albeit, a bit on the mild side.