Great Divide Old Ruffian

Brewed by Great Divide Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Denver, Colorado USA

Clear purple-ruby body with a thin finger of off white head with a long retention and light sweet malt and a light spicy hoppiness, vanilla, cherries. Taste is sweet maple syrup, sweet malt, woody vanilla oak, creamy body, light hop bitterness.

Bottle poured into a snifter. Pours a dark hazy orangish brown with a decent tan head that dissipates quickly to a ring leaving a little bit of lacing. The aroma is a very well balanced combination of citrus hops, caramel malts and a little bit of booze. It all melds together well and leaves a slight alcohol burn in the nose. The taste starts with a quick onslaught of citrus hops that gives way to the big caramel malt base. There is a sweeter molasses presence in the taste as well as the alcohol burn which lasts through the finish with some floral hoppy bitterness added into the mix. The mouthfeel is smooth and a little sticky with modest carbonation. This is one of the better examples of an American BW I’ve had and very drinkable for the style. Highly recommended.

Bomber from College Liquors. Pours a rich amber/reddish-brown color with a large tan head. The aroma is quite powerful; loads of sweet malts, fruits and sweeter candies. The taste is also quite good; some initial warmth and noticeable alcohol, sweet caramel malts, candies, light hops in the finish combine with alcohol to produce a nice bitter and warm finish. A nice BW for sure.

(bomber around 2 or 3 yrs. old I think) Pours a dark ruby with a thin off-white head that leaves a ring around the glass, and a thin film on top. The aroma is just near perfect for an aged barleywine. There’s slight oxidation, still present citric hops (grapefruit peel predominately), cotton candy, strawberry jam, salted roasted peanuts, a huge dose of caramel, cherry hard candy, and a light almost toasty character. Wow, just amazing. The taste is very malty, with a lot of caramel, toffee, and cherry hard candy. Nearing the finish the hops begin to make their presence felt, which lends a grapefruit peel bitterness that carries on for quite some time. The light toastiness that was present in the aroma is also displayed in the finish as well. Full, smooth, almost viscous mouthfeel with minimal carbonation. This just confirms my belief that barleywines are far more superior with some age.

Pours amber/brown with almost no head. Aroma is big, sweet and malty. Taste is very malty as well with a bunch of caramel and a little bit of chocolate coming through, rounded off by a nice bitter finish. Pretty good sipper.

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.