 muzzlehatch (4424), Burlington, Vermont, USA
Mar 11, 2003 On tap at the brewery, 3/8/03. Totally opaque reddish brown, thin wispy bubbly head; really powerful sweet fruity nose, predominantly grapes and cherries. I am off. The beer geek in me starts to fade. I am transparent, I am open to this experience. I know that what hits my tongue will not merely be beer, it will be Something Else. It is malt that hits me first, thick, rich, syrupy malt. Potent flavors come next, cherries and raspberries and vanilla; the fruitiest non-fruit beer, the fruitiest non fruit-juice that has graced my lips. Caramel, chocolate, rum all appear in their turn. The world is whirling; I don't taste alcohol, but I believe this is 14%, this half-pint is blowing me away will I return will I return do I want to return. Hops bring me back, potent Seville-orange bitter marmalade hops; a powerful teeth-and-tongue cleaning finish, toothpaste for the soul with bitter chocolate for the Devil.
McNeills best, which means, one of the world's best. I would give it a perfect score, but I challenge Ray McNeill to do even better. Be the world's greatest brewer. You are close, oh so close.
jjpm74 (3087), Stratford, CT 06614, Connecticut, USA
Sep 5, 2006 On draught at McNeills. Pours brown with a light brown head. Smells of spice, dark fruit and some bourbon. Taste is spicy with a nice malty backbone. I wish they bottled this one.
Hopistotle420 (1177), Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
Jan 7, 2003 14% abv. This beer is freakin phenominal. Pours a deep ruddy ruby hue. Smells of dark fruit and port. Big chewy malts, full bodied, candied fruit, vinous, raisons, plums dates, molasses chocoalte and all sorts of other stuff. I have this all the time on draught at a lovely little bar in Amherst. Most impressive, very quaffable at such a big weight. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!
egajdzis (3014), Terrapin, Pennsylvania, USA
Jan 25, 2005 2002... Poured a murky brown, reddish color with a thin, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of citrus hoppiness, lots of citrus fruits, sweet malty caramel, raisins, and port. Taste of cherries and other dark fruits, sweet caramel maltiness and a faint bitterness. Dry, light alcohol finish. Amazing!
CamdenD (570), Madrid, Spain
Jul 7, 2006 Fantastic. Wow. Full aroma of alcohol, malt, sweet fruit, and port. The taste does not let you down. This just might be the best barleywine I’ve ever tasted, honestly. Wow.
On tap at the Dirty Truth, Northampton, Ma.
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