18-Jan-08 (Draft: 2008 Great Alaskan Beer and Barley Wine Festival in Anchorage, AK) My friend Jim has been raving about Glacier Brewhouse’s Twelve Days of Barleywine for several years, gloating that he could try all the different versions and I couldn’t. Well, I missed it again this year, but thanks to this wonderful barley wine festival, I am finally able to try this renowned beer. The first sniff tells the story: heavy bourbon and moderate oak tend to overshadow the underlying aroma of sweet malts, and a hint of tartness adds a nice contrast. The beer follows through in the mouth; it’s fairly sweet and very malty, balanced by a hint of lemony tartness. Lots of Beam bourbon notes, but also plenty of oak which suggests a long time has been spent in well-used Beam barrels. It’s full-bodied and somewhat syrupy with medium carbonation and light tannins. Golden in color, so lighter than expected, and it shows good clarity. The small, off-white head fully dissipates within a few minutes. Overall, this is a solid, complex barley wine and the skill of the brewer and barrel master is clearly evident. If it were a bit less sweet, it would get a nomination for my personal Best of Show.

I’d almost forgotten about this beer until I found my notes from this festival. Was only able to take notes on few beers before my palate was blown from all the wood tannins.On tap @ the Barrel Aged Beer Festival in Chicago ‘04. Pours a orange/red color with a thin head and little lacing. The nose is a complex mix of wood, nuts, dry wine, and malt. The flavor is just as complex with notes of nuts, wood, dried fruits, spicy bread dough and hints of pepper. Very nice body and texture. Very good beer.

@ Great Alaskan Barleywine Festival ’06. BIG oak, hints of dried fruits (fig&plum) whisky/bourbon. Oak. Clean yellowy brown color. Sweet oaky flavor. Whisky, bourbon, smoke, oak. Some of the fruits if you dig for it. Oak. Medium body, Lite creamy mothfeel, smoky bitter finish. Oak. Way too oaky for my personal preference. It overwhelmed the rest of the beer, IMO. Wish they had a non oaked bw available so I could know what it was like. Oak

Holy shit this is awesome. big Bourbon nose with brandy and sherry pretentions.I would guess Woodfrords reserve bourbon Just amazing.Almonds and cashews with plums and apricots caramel and pralines. Truly amazing.