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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?  
 Lumpy (1802), Carrollton, Texas, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Jul 7, 2006  
Bottle. Nose-buttery icing. Body-dark iced tea. Taste-big ’ol butter. Chardonnay, alcohol, maple syrup, woody, light grass, butter, toffee, and icing. Excellent.


 tiggmtl (4311), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/102/57/102/513/20
Jun 7, 2006  
Hot, boozy, sweet malt aroma is quite fruity with plenty of grassy, vegetal, herbal resinous hop character. Opaque brown body is topped by a low tan head that recedes to ring. Thick, sweet maple, berries, chocolate and cherries with a light roasty component and lingering sweetness. Pleasant fruity aftertaste, but I feel like I could breathe fire. Alcohol is quite apparent. Strong warming. Thick, syrupy texture to the medium full body. Hot, hot, hot. Bottle (trade, May-05) sampled with MartinT, Olivier_MTL, Rastacouere and Siroy. Thanks, hopdog!


 Sammy (3979), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/517/20
Jun 3, 2006  
Although the alcohol isn’t very apparent, this is strong and calls for food, It’s a sipper. Cinammon and spice and nutty barleywine. Full mouthfeel. Flavorful winter warmer crossover,


 FoolishMortal (965), San Diego, California, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/516/20
Jun 1, 2006  
22oz. bottle, 2005 vintage. Fairly murky dark orange-red, with a small light brown head. Port, alefruit, brown sugar, fusel alcohol, and doughy malt in the aroma. Mild tannins in a thick doughy raisinbread malt with brown sugar and hints of dates. Residual bready malt in the finish with a heavy hot alcohol presence and fruity esters. Mouthfeel is thick, heavy, and rather hot.


 ericnixon (719), Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/105/518/20
May 28, 2006  
Thanks to Volgon for sharing this. Dark brown color with a smooooth moleasses/brown sugar taste. Wow, that’s a good beer.


 puzzl (2619), New York, New York, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
May 19, 2006  
2005 vintage, 10% ABV. Pours a very deep mahogony with zero head. Aroma is rich and nutty, hazelnut and butter, smooth malts, port wine and alcohol. Taste is a glorious bouquet of nutty malt, slight hop bitterness, with a finishing slightly sour oakey kiss. Very strong alcohol though it seems to fit this beer well. The depth in this beer is first rate. Big thanks to my sis for mailing this down from Alaska!


 Dickinsonbeer (3449), Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/515/20
May 1, 2006  
Pours a hazy amber brown with a nice thin off white head. Aroma is sweet, thick crystal malts, light bourbon, fruity esters, light hops, caramel and molasses. Thick and sweet upfront, candied fruts, figs and raisin, brown sugar, toffee and caramel. Pecan pie-like flavor and aroma and a bit of soy all the way through. Higher than expected carbonation. Ok mouthfeel. Pretty tasty overall, but not great.


 ratman197 (3189), Arvada, Colorado, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/518/20
Apr 30, 2006  
Bomber shared with robertburns poured a clear dark garnet with a small lasting amber head. Aromas of sherry, vanilla, light coconut, hint of oxidation and some vinous notes. Palate was medium to full bodied and smooth. Flacvors of sherry, vanilla, dark fruit, bitter chocolate and a hint of smoke with a warming lingering bittersweet finish.



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