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Midnight Sun Arctic Devil Barley Wine

Percentile
99
overall

bottled
common

on tap
available

Regional Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
2764.01/5.03.98/5.0Winter14%97Snifter
Commercial Description:
Arctic Devil Barley Wine, aptly named after the ferocious wolverine of the north, is an English-style (meaning malt-inclined) barley wine. Though the recipe and process for Arctic Devil have evolved over the years, it is typically brewed in January then aged in oak barrels for several months before the entire batch is blended, bottled and released on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In its youth, Arctic Devil gnarls and snarls its way across the palate. Containing this beast of a beer for long periods in oak barrels--some having previously aged port, wine or whiskey--tames the unleashed malt and fierce hop flavors, melding and mellowing this powerful liquid into an incredible elixir worthy of a brewer's table. Each annual batch of Arctic Devil Barley Wine represents the brewers' resolve to create an intriguing and sought-after barley wine by precisely brewing to well-designed specifications, carefully selecting the type and combination of barrels to use for aging, and meticulously checking the beer as it ages. Distinct nuance and complexity are contributed by the wood's previous tenants, resulting in unique flavor profiles in each batch that continue to change over time. We invite you to savor Arctic Devil Barley Wine upon its release then cellar some for future enjoyment.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 HonkeyBra (1326), Lemont, Illinois, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Jan 10, 2009  
Another Alaska beer crushed with CaryTheDude and JakeBra. Apparently there was a disaster in the bathroom immediately after the pour. It’s dark red with a creamy head that dissipates into an off white ring around the glass. As I drink this by myself, I think the aroma is sweet and boozy, almost like brandy. Flavor is rich and sweet with a bit oh hops in the back.Lots of complex sweet malts, but well-balanced and drinkable. Great, bad ass beer.


 daknole (2895), Plantation, Florida, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/518/20
Jan 8, 2009  
Bottle from weeheavysd. Dude you kick ass!!! Rich amber pour. And hell if you really want to read a great review read the one before me. This was a remarkably great beer and Flaco covered it all...but I will give it a higher rating. Cheers!!


 masonjer (563), Holt, Michigan, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Jan 2, 2009  
Big thanks to Pantanap for sharing this. Poured an orange/brown color. Aroma was great, big fruity with loads of caramel. I have to say, I tried this again shortly after the first, and didn’t think it was as good, I think age plays a major factor in this beer. Taste was fruit, wheat, hid the alcohol pretty well. Overall, a nice round flavor with punch hops and delicious malt. Good stuff.


 mabel (2590), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/103/515/20
Dec 31, 2008  
[1721-20080917] 22floz bottle. Heavy sweet malt aroma. Clear, dark brown red-hued body with a quick foamy tan head. Boozy sweet malt flavour is heavy with some earthy wood. Medium-full body. Nice but boozy.
<i>Overheard: "It’s the difference from awesome to very good."</i>
<i>(w/ blankboy, GregClow, HogTownHarry, jerc)</i>


 Rciesla (3600), Exit 15W, New Jersey, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/104/518/20
Dec 26, 2008  
Two year old bottle thanks to BrianK for my first taste of this incredible barley wine. Pours a deep amber body with an off white head. Very vinous with port and sherry vinous character. A solid oak flavor as well as alcohol latent fruit and sweet malty caramel. A very light hop bitterness is expressed in the final note. Awesome!


 TipsyMcStager (916), Calgary, Alberta, Canada
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20
Dec 23, 2008  
Not really following why this is in the 99th percentile, its not that great. Aroma of licorice and some malt. Pours opaque black, thin head. Sweet licorice flavour, some burnt fruit, dry finish. Thick palate. Definitely drinkable, but not over 4 for me. Woulnt mind trying an aged sample to compare.


 kegbear (268), Orange, California, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/517/20
Dec 22, 2008  
Bottle. Aroma of dark fruit and molasses. Tastes of brown sugar, molasses, caramel amd dark fruits. Very nice indeed.


 JB175 (1663), Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/105/518/20
Dec 22, 2008  
2006 bottle. Nice looking reddish-amber color with a small-med head. Aroma is dominated by a smooth oakiness, brown sugar, dark fruits and caramel. Flavor has a nice vanilla-oak mix that balances well off of some strawberry, burnt caramel, brown sugar, and roast. Superior mouthfeel with loads of complexity. Awesome stuff, and one of the best malt-forward barleywines out there.



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