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Midnight Sun Arctic Devil Barley Wine

Percentile
99
overall

bottled
common

on tap
available

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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?  
 iowaherkeye (1851), Bakersfield, California, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/105/518/20
Dec 15, 2008  
22oz bottle no date from BOLTZ7555. Thanks. Clear deep brown with a small beige head, fading to swirls and a thin ring. Plenty of dark fruits consisting of raisins, prunes and figs up front. Just behind is brown sugar, chocolate and old oak. Port, whiskey and buttered vanilla also have a pretty decent showing, with a little alcohol in the background. Oh man, I did a list of the aromas. Darn. Flavor has the brown sugar dominating but the dark fruits are a close second. I almost got a toffeeish element in there. No other real surprises compared to the aroma. Barrel aging with the different barrels never got overpowering and blended very well together with the beer. Whoo. This is strong. Warming all the way down the throat and into the belly. Dry finish with bitterness peaking around a 3. Big thick body with low to moderate carbonation. This was a damn good beer, and I need to get a couple more bottles for aging.


 blutt59 (2099), Dallas, Texas, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Dec 9, 2008  
bottle, thanks to bhops, dark garnet to chocolate color, nose is port wine and prunes, flavors of spciy with buttery, scotch whiskey and caramel flavors


 ilovedarkbeer (1337), Dallas, Texas, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/58/104/517/20
Dec 7, 2008  
Bottle thanks to BHops. Dark reddish orange brown color. hardly any head. Nose is booze, raisins, port, dark candied fruits, sweat. Taste is the same with dark brown sugar, and a pretty good mouthfeel.


 mar (1822), Dallas, Texas, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/517/20
Dec 7, 2008  
bottle thanks to bhops. nice chocolate pour with no head. aroma of oak, maple syrup and malts. awesome thickness with a thick caramel and butterscotch flavor that finishes with some great oak notes.


 PilsnerPeter (2612), Flushing, New York, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/515/20
Dec 1, 2008  
Bottle at Paul’s Gathering (Thanks MaxxDaddy!) Pours a hazy deep copper/amber color with a dense tan, thin head. Big standard Barley Wine aroma- caramel, plum, fig and toasted vanilla notes. Has a big warming feel; hugely malty. Toffee-ish, sticky, fruity- plum, dried fig, and a sweet nutty hint from the malt depth. The malt depth of this stuff reminds me of famous vintages such as J.W. Lee’s and Thomas Hardy’s. Very rich, yet remains drinkable and complex. I would like to try this with some years behind it.


 GregClow (2495), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Nov 19, 2008  
Bottle shared with jerc, mabel, blankboy & HogTownHarry - courtesy of jerc & mabel. Murky mahogany with a medium beige head. Aroma is big, warm & sweet with notes of fruit, caramel & toffee. Full bodied. Flavour of dark brown sugar, maple syrup, some alcohol dryness, spicy and moderately bitter finish. Excellent!


 Swolf3 (252), Elkton, Maryland, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/104/516/20
Nov 18, 2008  
Bottle shared with Gabe-r-Jaw. Poured brown with very small tan head. Aroma is strong raison, with a mild chocolate. Taste is roasted malt chocolate and raison. Finished smooth easy to drink and enjoyable.


 GMCC2181 (856), Bear/Elkton, Delaware, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Nov 18, 2008  
Bottle from sparky27, thanks E! Poured into a snifter, not much head. Strong aroma of raisons. Dark red in color. Taste is raisons, maybe some chocolate. Even though you can smell the alcohol it is not in the taste at all. Different from most barleywines. Texture is thick, but not stout thick. Unique...and good.



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