 wetherel (905), Carlsbad, California, USA
Apr 15, 2008 2007 bottle from puzzl on 3/28/08. Cloudy amber cololr Some autolysis aroma (somehow I like it), and buttery caramelization. Mellow, probably from age. No unpleasant oxidation. Low bitterness. My guess is that 1. I love barleywines and 2. this bottle has aged very well. I’m a fool, but this is awesome. I love it and everyone is else wrong (j.k.).
jerc (3056), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jan 31, 2006 Bottle via Rudolph. Dark amber body with a mdeium creamy beige head (3+) Substantial caramel malt in the aroma is sufficient that I check my moustache for remains of the ice cream topping I had earlier in the evening, but it is in fact coming from the beer! Just enough hop presence in the nose to mix it up a little. First sip feints with an up front hop bite, but quickly reveals that the deep caramel foundations are the true star of the show. Hop bitterness returns in the aftertaste, quick on the hills of light alcohol. Despite the warming quality sneaking up on you, the alcohol in this is remarkably subdued, only really becoming noticable as the glass warms up. By the time the booze makes its way from the flavour to the aroma you have already been seduced. Palate lacks body, but makes up for it in a smooth creamy mouthfeel. Dangerously drinkable. Thanks very much Rudy! One of the most enjoyable brews I have had in a while... consumed while preparing a presentation on Life Cycle Assessment of Beverage Containers no less :)
MrManning (1415), London, Ontario, Canada
Jul 4, 2008 Bottle courtesy of HogtownHarry, thanks my friend! Pours a hazy brindle from the 12 oz bottle. The head is a rocky, frothy tan cap that lasted over 10 minutes before I could drink the beer. Nice lace with little floaties as well. The nose is c-hops and orange peels, dank basement and woody, earthy, caramel malts with a touch of smoke. Butterscotch and caramel malts upfront with spicy, woody notes, a blast of hops with way more bitterness than expected. This is the way I like a barleywine. The caramel and sweetness is here, but the hops balance and I don’t feel like I am drinking a sugar bomb. This is quite a treat! Thanks for the bottle Harry!
CaptainCougar (4601), Rockville, Maryland, USA
May 5, 2007 2006 bottle sampled on 3/12/07 courtesy of Rudolf: Pours a transparent bright copper with a frothy, nicely-lacing off-white head. Aroma of fresher piny hops with some light caramel malt. Body starts with a nice, caramel malty sweetness and good fresh hoppy balance toward a crisp, bittersweet finish. A pretty good American strong ale.
IPFreely (1470), Niagara Falls, New York, USA
Sep 20, 2006 Bottle at Sterling Tavern. Pours a lightly hazy, firey amber color with a smaller cream colored head. Nice aroma of caramel, apricot, brown sugar, and lighter hops. Flavor is strong, nice and sweet with some caramel and toffee, fig, and some spicy hops in the finish. Medium to full bodied, alcohol detected, but not strong at all. Judging from the previous ratings, it looks like the booze might be calming a bit. Who knows. I liked it though.
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