Great Divide Old Ruffian

Pours mahogany in color with a small off-white head. Very sweet aroma, mainly raisins and vanilla. Malty flavors with hints of vanilla, alcohol, and balanced nicely with a tad-bit of hops. Very easy on the palate.

I can’t believe I haven’t rated this.. Bomber. Poured a brighter, airy orange with a short cap of tan head that was easy to resuscitate. The aroma was quite hop-driven with floral and grapefruity notes pairing with peppery alcohol.. lightly-aged caramel and medium-skinned fruits provide adequate support and background. The hops led the flavor department as well, beginning with pine, light fruit skins, and grapefruit tingling the tip of the tongue.. grapefruit meat and caramel sweetness rolled onto the middle of the palate and the bitterness carried up, around the mouth, and through the finish.. spicy floral notes and alcohol warmth at the end, but the booze was really well held in check. Heavier-bodied and bitter overall on the palate with a nice flow to it.. long bitter citrusy impression on the finish. Good stuff!

Brownish amber pour with a tan head. Aroma is caramel sweetness combined with hop tartness. It has a great mouthfeel that is nice and thick. The flavor is similar to the aroma. Well rounded.

8-20-08 bottle
Amber red glowing brown with a good bubbled watery head and good rings of lacing. Smell is honey and creamy hops. Flavor is bright hops and has a sweet caramel finish. Alcohol is present - a touch of that butterscotch flavor is there. Heavy alcohol finish as well. Smooth and hefty mouthfeel.

Draught. Low white and quickly disappearing head. Clear dark brown body. Roasted barley malt aroma with grassy notes and of course hops. Very hoppy barley malt flavor with grass and pine. Low carbonation. Long bitter aftertaste. Alcohol not as dominant as feared.

Bottle. pours a amber brown body with a tan head. Very hoppy BW, to much for me a kevin dillian classic im sure. Grassy pine with a big malt backbone and etoh warming.

Very nice barley wine. The hops in this brew sort of dominate making it appear as more of an ASA but the finish it what really shows its legs. Nice roasted malt character after the hop bite. This is one of those "The warmer it gets the better it gets." Not rounded in the category but is definitely interesting and great tasting. Medium to thick palate.

Bottle. Pours clear red brown with a creamy beige head. Fruity flowery aroma with caramel and citrus. Soft mouthfeel with relatively low carbonation. The flavor is certainly hop forward, floral, piny, a bit grassy even. Decent balance. Long, dry, bitter finish.