2.8 AROMA 4/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20
Typical run-of-the-mill barley wine. Over the top on everything, but without anything really interesting happening. Tastes somewhat like an imperial IPA. Uninspiring. One time is more than enough.
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
22-ounce bottle. Impressive-looking beer: Murky brown with a thick head and lingering, foamy lace. Full bodied with a lively carbonation. Boldly flavored with very rich elements of toffee, toasted bread, chocolate and nuts. Also has nips of burnt bread crust. Hops are just as strong, fortunately, with assertive notes of pine, citrus and grass. Bitterness has grapefruit flavors and flower aromas. Throat-warming alcohol is fitting. Curiously dry finish, probably from the snappy bitterness and the scrubbing carbonation. Some acidity is noticeable here and there. Overall, it’s a solid barley wine with plenty heft.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
22, capped and waxed. Pours a murky dark amber with a dense and creamy tan head that falls quickly away to a loose rim, leaving dense sheets of sticky lace coming down the sides of the glass. Big sharp grapefruit nose, very pithy, almost to a shampoo level. Sticky thick body; not the stickiest but definitely qualifies. Caramel and grapefruit mid palate, at least while still cool. Seems to be picking up some nuts and a bit of toffee as it warms. Bracingly bitter grapefruit finish that gets firmly into shampoo territory.
4.1 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Bottle #2883/5000 with Carla. Pours a hazy grapefruit red/brown with bleach white foam. Smells quintessentially like a barley wine with lots of sweetness, hints of bitterness mingling with a touch of alcohol. Tastes of caramel, grapefruit, pine and ends with a bit of tart pineapple.
3.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Draught @ Brouwer’s Café: Reddish side of amber, moderate finely bubbled head, nice lacing. Malty nose, a little caramel and citrusy hops. A little caustic up front, raw and green. Seems to have a lot of citric rind bitterness and a bit of astringency. Its not too strong, but this one says young. Could stand to be a bit heavier on the tongue. Wished that it was a bit sweeter too. Lots of raw rind bitterness on the exit. This one needs to be a bit maltier to age. Tiz okay, but it’s a bit brash.
3.8 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Tap at Sasquatch brew fest. Bright and clear, caramel amber color with no foam at all, difficult to smell the aromas in here, malt and hop very well balanced. going to have to try more of this tomorrow.
4.4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
A surprisingly drinkable Barley Wine. No bitter after taste. Very smooth and enjoyable.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Tap at Lucky Lab Fest. Medium brown pour, mild tan head with sticky lacing. Big aroma of citrus and pine hops, toffee, caramel, light earthen hops. Taste was also very hop forward with mostly the pine and earthen flavors taking top billing along with a lot of caramel which I guess qualifies it as a barleywine instead of an IIPA. Pretty solid brew, though I feel it’s miscategorized.
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