Mad River John Barleycorn

Brewed by Mad River Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Blue Lake, California USA

Serve in Snifter

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UPDATED: MAR 27, 2010
Name: John Barleycorn ’9?
Date: February 18, 2002
Mode: Bottle
Source: Burlingame Gro, Portland
Appearance: Rich burgendy, headless
Aroma: sweet fruity aroma of figs and dates
Flavor: rich malt flavor like a fine brandy, very low carbination, only the slightest hint of bitterness when it is cold and totally disipates upon warming

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Score: *** /4

Date: August 16, 2002
Mode: Bottle
Source: Belmont Station, Portland
Vintage: 2001
Appearance: opaque rust brown, whispy head
Aroma: sweet fruity aroma
Body: light body
Flavor: rich dry malty flavor, fruity essence, just enough hops to balance without being hoppy or malty, bitter finish, upon warming the malt character comes out, but never reallyshines

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.7/5.0
Score: ** /4

Date: June 30, 2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Cellar Party
Vintage: 2006
Appearance: clear amber, wispy head
Aroma: sweet fruity caramel malt aroma
Flavor: rich caramel malt flavor, touch of fruity sweetness, lots of earthy bitterness

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *** /4

Date: March 11, 2010
Mode: Bottle
Source: Redlight, Redlight
Vintage: 2007
Appearance: cloudy burnt orange, wispy beige head, streaks of drippy lace
Aroma: sweet fruity aroma, nice sherry character, light earthyness, touch of oxidation
Flavor: rich malt flavor, brown sugar sweetness, nice fruity character, plenty of balancing earthy bitterness

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.5/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *** /4

Dark cider/brown color; Medium creamy body; Aroma of sweet malt, caramel/candy, hops, & fruit; Flavor of slight roasted sweet malt, molasses/syrup, caramel, spicy hops, and some dark fruit; Finish is slightly bitter with some alcohol; Fairly well balanced; Overall, not too bad.

Bottle served in a snifter. 2006 Harvest. Pours clear, dense brown with amber hues. No head or lace. Heavy malt on the nose with a backdrop of floral hops. Loads of sweet malty goodness on the attack followed by a good dose of hoppy bitterness. Mostly caramel with a bit of chocolate. Full body, thick-creamy texture, low carbonation, and a medium bitter finish.

Caramel flavor with a noticeable alcohol flavor. Sweet and syrupy with a long-lasting aftertaste. Nice after-dinner sipper.

Originally reviewed: 3/31/10. 2008 Harvest. Poured into a pint glass. Pours a dark cherry-red with just a thin ring of off-white froth on the edges. The minutest of lace sticks to the glass. Looks fairly flat on the pour. I’m getting scents of toffee, molasses, cherries, syrup, and just the faintest of floral hops. The body is creamy and smooth. I can tell that some of the carbonation is lost, but it’s still a pleasant sipper. This beer starts out semi-sweet like cherry candy, but then melds to a smooth bitter taste on the finish. The bitterness is low here. Plenty of malt presence as I’m getting lots of toffee and caramel. Nothing really stands out here, but it’s still good nonetheless. Not a bad beer.

2008. Warming alcohol, malty character, spicy notes. Some caramel and bready notes, a nice sipper.

Bottle. Muddy dark orange/brown pour with a small white head. Nose is sweet caramel, malt, and some citrus. Moderate to full palate. Taste is sweet caramel first, then a bit of citrus hop following that up. Very good beer.

2008 vintage. 355 ml bottle. Dark brown and hazy. Medium creamy light beige head. Unusual for a barley wine. Slightly oxidized nose with chocolate and toffee and caramel. Dry papery bitterness. Very nice flavour profile. Lots of toffee. Delicious.

Bottle, poured a hazy brownish color with medium dissipating head. Lacing all over glass. Aroma is caramel, resin, spice, citrus and dark fruits. Med-light sweetness, light bitter. Medium-full body. Texture was kind of sticky while slightly thick and creamy. Big malty body with hop bitter finish. Not very smooth. Off the mark a bit.

Pours a crimson red, cloudy with white lacing. Smells sweet, molasses and carmel. Great balance of sweetness and hops. This is a barleywine that will make you happy! ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Bottle 2011, lot of hops in aroma, clear orange color no head. Taste is medium bitter also medium palate, texture thin, little carbonation, bitter. Overall no typeical barley wine, like them more sweet!!