Grand Rapids Tenth Anniversary Barley Wine

Formerly brewed at Grand Rapids Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Serve in Snifter

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UPDATED: MAR 23, 2005 brownish rootbeer appearance with almost no head; aroma is wonderful (heavy in bourbon, sugars, caramels, spices)...flavor is very similar but dominated by bourbon, with hints of vanilla and a touch of alcohol...a very appetizing beer

Poured from a quaint little 7-ounce clear bottle. Deep red-brown (almost sanguine) body, thin/medium off-white to light cream head (my bottle doesn’t look flat). Big brown sugar, caramel, tannic aroma. Oaky sourness makes a strong impression, and the overall effect is quite English and old aleish. I could sniff this all night. Flavorwise, the oak and vanilla really dominate, with an undercurrent of brown sugar and a touch of fruit. Alcohol is also big. I was expecting a bit more character in the flavor after enjoying the aroma, but sour, tannic oak pretty much overwhelms the malts and hops, which probably should have been used in more substantial quantities to offset the wood. I still think this "works," however, and would pair nicely with a cigar. Interesting beer.

Aged in bourbon casks. The color of this stuff is unappetizing -- sort of dull ruddy brown to amber. It looks flat as stagnate water. What it lacks in appearance, however, it more than makes up for in aroma and flavor. The bourbon is perceptible at first whiff as well as some nice phenol traces and maltiness. This stuff is characterized by its malt complexity and bourbon overtones. Very very good. If it could only be a little prettier ...