egajdzis (3021), Terrapin, Pennsylvania, USA Jan 29, 2008 [2007] Poured a murky reddish brown color with a small, off white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of resiny pine, sticky caramel, floral hops, dried fruits, and a bit of alcohol. Taste of sweet caramel, cherry, molasses, pine, citrus fruits, bitter grapefruit, raisins, and a huge, chewy, mouthfeel. PilsnerPeter (1483), Flushing, New York, USA May 4, 2007 Tap at TAP NY 2007: This may have been the best beer introduced to me at the 2007 TAP NY. Pours deep amber with a dense consistent tan head. There’s a nice sweet hop aroma (perhaps amarillo), with roasty caramel smothered resins, quite appetizing. This is a sweet Barley Wine, yet it remains balanced and it quite delicious. Has a big toasty butterscotch quality to it. The sticky & tangy malt depth goes a long way and is balanced nicely with a later hop depth of spearamint like notes. The hops seem west-coast-ish. Perfect blend of fruityness and sweet malt richness. A very enjoyable Barley Wine. MartinT (4377), Montreal, Quebec, Canada Apr 30, 2007 My Bottom Line:
Fruity caramel maltiness and its root-like sweet tips walk along muscular hop resins. This typical American Barley Wine is well crafted and flavorful, but I will need to have more to see what my fellow raters have seen in it.
Further Personal Perceptions:
-A ring of foam circles the hazy ochre red.
-The cola sweet spiciness within the caramel is intriguing.
-The maltiness is well built, but does not feel luxurious to me when compared to favorite barley wines of mine.
-Alcohol provides a little heat, which it is never bothersome.
On tap at Tap NY. DYCSoccer17 (2040), Davis, California, USA Nov 12, 2005 2003 VIntage at the GIBF in Providence, RI. Sweet, citrusy-orange/grapefruit vinous caramel aroma. Smells like a good barleywine should. Pleasant. Hazy honey-copper color with a yellowish head. Sweet start, turning more citrusy and orange and grapefruit-like. Mild caramel notes follow with a dry bitter hop finish and a touch of booziness to finish. Well rounded and balanced, but it does lack some complexity. Either way, it is still well-made and quite enjoyable. jjpm74 (3155), Stratford, CT 06614, Connecticut, USA May 25, 2005 On tap-Tap NY. This one caught me completely off guard. Orange in color with a finger’s length head. Smell was on the grapefruitty side with the hops shining through. Taste was very fruity with a slightly bitter finish. I was so impressed with this TAP-NY offering that I had to go back for seconds and thirds. Hopefully this one will make it to bottle some day.
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