Hopfenstark Capitain Swing

Brewed by Hopfenstark
Style: Barley Wine
L’Assomption, Canada

Serve in Snifter

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A hazy orange amber to copper ale with a thin moka head. In aroma, a superb pungeant floral hops, pinhey and vinous, very classic. In mouth, a smooth caramel malt with floral hops, light grapefruits, treacle, vinous, classy and smooth. On tap at Mondial 2010.

Mondiale 2009. A fairy good barleywine, with all the expected attributes. A hoppiness to it, also a bit astringency. Tasty and malty and taste as good as it smells.

UPDATED: JAN 18, 2009 My Bottom Line:
Bright leafy hoppiness enlightens the diplomatic caramel maltiness, as strawberry fruitiness diversifies this Barley Wine of British inspiration and American flair.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A veil of foam covers the hazy pale red.
-The mouthfeel is relatively svelte for such a strong brew and the carbonation quite prickly.
-This is not immensely complex yet it is highly pleasant and quite drinkable in its style.
-The leafy bitterness is nearly resinous in its freshness.

On tap at the brewery tasting room.

I expected a far more agressive, alcoholic barley wine as Hopfenstark’s first adventure in the style. They took the balance path and delivered and young, but fit ale of great smoothness. Despite the American BW identification, it has a stronger English hop profile, though the balance clearly leans in favour of the malts, earthy, soft and richly fruity. While warming, at 9%, its alcohol level never takes the first row. A solid effort, but I’m afraid I’m more fervent of their lower gravity ales.

Draught. Mondiale 2009 - day 2. Hazy deep amber pour with an average lasting off-white creamy head. BIG alcohol/caramel malt nose here, with almost as prominent resin/citrus bitterness as well. The taste is big and brassy, but I like my BWs that way - a huge raw-edged citrusy/malty alco-bomb, not too sweet, but aggressive as all hell; raw, young and pugnacious. Thick mouthfeel, plenty of bitterness from all the alcohol and spicy hoppiness, the malt eventually gives up the ghost and the finish is all alcohol and dry bitterness - a solid, enjoyable young American’-style barleywine, reminded me of extremely fresh Stone Double Bastard.

<b>In short: </b>A full bodied well hopped competent English style Barley Wine. Nice one.
<b>How: </b>Tap at brewery. 2nd anniversary party
<b>The look: </b>Clear dark copper body topped by a long-lasting small beige head
<b>In long: </b>Nose of caramel and golding(?) hops. Body offers a thick chewy caramel/toffee mixture followed by a rather hefty dose of leafy hops. Doesn’t feel very bitter but feels well balanced nonetheless. Much more English-style Barley Wine than American style. If only all English barley wines could be that generously hopped. For a first Barley Wine Hopfenstark sure didn’t start at the bottom of the stairs. This ain’t a Private First Class Swing. And with the continuous improvement of this fine brewery it won’t be long before we have an Admiral Swing.

Draught at ’Mondial de la Biere 2009’, Montréal, QC. Pours a deep orange-amber with a small diminishing off-white head. Aroma and flavour are a bit boozier then I’d like, sweet with a good amount of hops along with caramel malt and alcoholic bitter finish. Medium bodied. Pretty good but I was expecting better, which it would be if the alcohol was less prominent.

En fût. Verre de 4 oz dégusté directement à la brasserie lors du party 3e anniversaire. Arôme: Odeur d’houblons et de caramel. Apparence: La couleur est ambrée voilée. Présence d’un moyen col mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’houblons résineux et de caramel avec une pointe d’alcool. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement huileuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût légèrement houblonné. (Rating #2785)

Glass at the pub. Cool fruity nose; caramel with syrup underneath. Thick caramel, spice and beer. Imperial ESB more than a BW.

Pours a cloudy amber color with ruby highlights and a thin white head. Aroma of caramel, ashes and hops. Flavor of caramel, hops, cigarette ashes and finishes with a long lasting bitterness. The body is medium with a liquorous texture and soft carbonation. Not bad, but the ashes presence takes out a bit of the pleasure.