RateBeer
Midnight Sun Arctic Devil Barley Wine 3.98 278

Midnight Sun Arctic Devil Barley Wine

Percentile
99
overall

bottled
common

on tap
available

Regional Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
2784.01/5.03.98/5.0Winter14%96.9Snifter
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?  
 jimbowood (983), Athens, Georgia, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/104/517/20
Jun 1, 2008  
bottle from liquid solutions. This is a nice beer, but doesn’t show the depth of flavors that I was expecting based upon other ratings. Nice maple syrup flavor with not noticable oak or bourbon.


 ajm (976), Los Angeles, California, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/103/515/20
Jun 13, 2009  
2008 bottle from hannont - thanks Todd! Nose is full dark cherry and sugar. Flavor is sweet like cough syrup, light alcohol, dark fruit and RAISIN EVERYWHERE. Very thick and almost cloying sweetness. I don’t know whether to drink this fresh or age it longer, but I will have it again.


 FoolishMortal (966), 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.


 smith4498 (963), Miami, Florida, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/518/20
Mar 1, 2009  
Pours dark brown with minimal tan head. Caramel, dark fruits, oak and slight hop aromas. Similar flavors with a little vanilla thrown in the mix. The oak ageing really adds nicely to the strong barley wine. The alcohol is hardly noticeable. Medium body with minimal carbonation and a syrupy mouthfeel. The best barley wine I have had so far.


 stefanje (961), (Santee) San Diego, California, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/518/20
Mar 13, 2009    Updated: Mar 14, 2009
650 ml bottle at the BA Decadence line tasting courtesy of odeed. Date punch on the side of label would seem to indicate that this is a 2005 vintage. And, if this is a 2005, wow, it ages well. Pours a murky amber color with a small beige head. The aroma is big and bold with complex fruits, toffee, caramel, Frangelico and oak. The taste mirrors the aroma, this is one of great barley-wines. The palate is silky smooth and full. The finish long and cloying. Overall: Fantastic brew. Thanks jake.


 TipsyMcStager (946), 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.


 loweredsixth (943), Fresno, California, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Mar 25, 2005  
Deep, dark cherry brown color with a very small beige head. The aroma burst out with intense maple (maybe molasses) and pine. The flavor was an interesting mix of pine, earthy/soil, molasses, toffee, maple, alcohol, honey, and prunes. The feel was rather smooth...very soft carbonation, thick/coating on the tongue...wet finish. This is one hell of a challenging beer...this is definitely not for the novice beer drinker.


 Zach Diesel (907), Portland, Oregon, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/58/105/516/20
Mar 6, 2005  
strong and sweet candy aroma with some peaty hop notes, brownish red with a solid head(there’s few things sexier than a barleywine with a solid head) some oaky sweet alcohol then an incredible milk chocolate and winey finish



We Want To Hear From You



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Share Your Opinion!
Get started reviewing beers at RateBeer.com now.

First, choose your user name

About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2010, RateBeer LLC