Free State Old Backus Barleywine

Brewed by Free State Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Lawrence, Kansas USA

Serve in Snifter

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Huge thanks to peteinSD for the handbottle - traditional british barleywine with a slight american twist - nose of treacle, fig, raisin, whiskey, prune, licorice - smells pretty awesome, actually - mouthfeel is slick, but the body just a touch thin for the abv - flavor is not quite as complex as the aroma - it still has a lot of raisin, treacle, fig - light oxidation and a sherry-like quality - finish has a fair amount of hop bitterness (the american twist), despite the fact that this seems to have some age on it, so I can only imagine how bitter it is when fresh - I probably wouldn’t like it as much - this, however, is quite nice.

’10 growler from Bob - I sat on this growler for months and was shocked to hear a hiss upon its opening and see a lively pour with a nice head of foam. Aroma is sharp, chunky raisin with sweet malt, thick caramel. light tartness, and faded hops. Taste is heavy caramel/raisin with some darker tobacco and an assetive hop bitterness on the finish. Definitely a fruity barley wine. Clean, almost aereated mouthfeel. Very nice barley wine.

Huge thanks to beastiefan2k for opening this one at RBWG. Pours a hazy caramel brown with an off-white head. Nose is caramel, plum, dates, figs, toffee, some booze. Flavor is similar- some toffee, caramel, plum, dates, figs, toffee, and some boozy notes. Medium in body and very nice sipper.

2003 edition poured from a growler that was filled 2-3 years ago. Still decent carbonation rush after unscrewing the lid. I don’t think they used as many hops in 2003. I had some from the tap when the growler was filled and it seemed to be more of an English style than the more recent version(s) of Backus(es) that i had tried. It has definitely mellowed over the years as well and is even an easy drinker- i’m gonna have to watch myself. Dark fruits and malts dominate a complex blend with barely a hint of alcohol. Hops are present in a bittering way that balances the barleywine sweetness (this is definitely not overly sweet) but not piney like a more recent version. If this was ever 150 IBU like in the description, i’d be shocked. Finishes smooth. Solid beer. When you take into account how old it is and the fact that it has been growlered for years it is an AMAZING beer. Will re-rate when i have a fresher one in my hand from the tap and it will score higher.

Growler shared at RBWG, poured an amberish red color with aromas of toffee, caramel, vanilla, light oak, and some nuts. Flavors follow suit, not overly boozy. Thanks to the person who brought this gem.

Growler shared at RBWG! Pours a hazy copper with thin tan lacy ring of a head that doesn’t really stick. Aroma is heavy on the sweet malts, molasses, caramel, toffee. Taste follows, but it is exceptionally smooth and easy to drink considering the abv. Great barley wine.

2011 Growler at RBWG 2013 Grand Tasting. Thanks Eugene. Pours reddish brown with a thin white lace. Nose is nutty, brown sugar, light vanilla, and tannins. Flavor is similarly sweet, pretty well balanced, and low oxidation. Nice to finally try some Free State.

Growler at RBGW. Woot! Sweet nose of maple, oak and vanilla. Full bodies with vanilla, and really thick bodied. Delicious.

Growler to taster at the RBWG Grand Tasting (2011 vintage; BIG ups to beastiefan2K for sharing this one). Looks good; a semi-opaque caramel with thin off-white lacing. Smells and tastes good; sweet and boozy. Smooth on the palate too. Good stuff!

Growler at RBWG 2013 Grand Tasting. Pours cleanish copper with a fine, tan foam head. Good stuff overall, big and sweet with light, dry leafy bitterness, some caramel. Full bodied with fine carbonation. Warming finish, rich fruity sugars, toffee, light bitterness. Good one.