 TAR (1996), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
Apr 26, 2008
Rusty orange. Thick and pasty ivory foam. Zingy blackcurrant and blueberry jam aromas meld with notes of brown sugar, peppery alcohol, black licorice and sherry-drizzled pound cake. Tight, feathery carbonation caresses the palate. Surprisingly light in weight, initially, with an immediate splash of bright, iron-tinged acidity and peppery esters. Gains richness by the second as a dense, tongue-coating burst of vibrant blueberry flavors mesh with slippery fruity esters. Borderline flabby, though the dryish texture and poignant spiciness brings much-needed firmness. Sharp yet clean bite of alcohol cuts the sweetness and provides a drying effect. Malts are relatively soft although the minor sherrylike oxidation lessens this with an astringent bite which dulls many of the bright nuances. Alcohol aids in abating the sweetness and augmenting the dryness. Sugary malts impart a rummy effect as they unite with the plump fruitiness which abounds. Finishes with sweet sherry accents, brown-sugar dusted malts and lingering hints of iron and strawberries. Suffers from being somewhat dull due to mild oxidation, but the fruit profile is fairly vibrant, albeit a bit understated, as well as a great appearance and solid mouthfeel. Pretty good.
leeburg (90), Wrangell, Alaska, USA
Aug 30, 2008 Got a deal on this 75cl bottle ($9.99). Murky auburn, light white head. Nose of sweet fruit, honey, raisins, malt. Fairly two dimensional flavors. Very sweet and fruity to start, leading into a big wave of spicy bitter fruit and some alcohol with a lingering finish. Overall, I suppose I ought to try some more barleywines. My buds aren’t acute enough to differentiate this from Bell’s 3rd Coast Old Ale, which I can get for much cheaper.
fonefan (4439), Ulfborg, Denmark
Aug 11, 2008 Bottle 75cl @ [ Mafioso Blind Tasting @ yespr, Bottle #07.]
Unclear medium orange amber color with a small to average, fizzy, fair lancing, mostly diminishing, off-white head. Aroma is light malty, caramel, candy, alcohol notes. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and light to moderate bitter with a average duration. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft. (300508)
WeeHeavySD (1711), San Diego (Hillcrest), California, USA
Jul 31, 2008 750 probably from Holiday Wine cellar shared with my gf cyn, kaitlyn and adam. Pours orange with a ring of head. Nose is some what fruity with notes of blueberries. Taste is sweet and fruity. The alc is 100% hidden. I don’t what to think about this beer, its tasty but its no barleywine to me.
fishingnet (805), Brandon, Florida, USA
Jul 27, 2008 Bottle courtesy of CigarCityBrew. Pours a hazy amber with a small off-white head. Aroma of dark fruit, caramel, spicy yeast, blueberries, and alcohol. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium full mouthfeel with a moderate amount of bitterness and slightly warm alcohol. Good.
sebletitje (269), Tampa, Florida, USA
Jul 27, 2008 Courtesy of CigarCityBrew.
Pours amber. Nose is filled with fruits and primary blueberries. Malty and caramel. Alcohol is very present. The finish was slightly sour/astringent.
I found it hard to believe that the beer was a barleywine as it was so sweet.
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