 goldtwins (3747), Nesconset, New York, USA
Mar 21, 2008 A fairly old bottle. This beer was killer. Almost clear amber color with an off-white head. The aroma was fairly complex and not too oxidized. The aroma had a good sweetness to it with notes of Chardonnay, wood, and fruity malt. The flavor was malty with some vinous character as well. Hops really weren’t around but there was a bitterness at the finish that could have been from hops, the wood, or even the alcohol. There was enough flavor to cover it and any alcohol taste. Great warmth in the chest. Medium to full bodied. I didn’t even know this stuff existed. Yum
jazz88 (2209), San Francisco, California, USA
Jun 19, 2005 Tap @ 2004 Toronado Barley Wine Festival. Hazy amber color with a foamy white head. Light vinous flavors with a tiny bit of fruit in the flavor.
cquiroga (370), Sylmar, California, USA
Jul 31, 2004 2/21/04. On draft at Toronado Barley Wine Festival ’04 in San Francisco, CA 2/21/04. Dark copper-bronze color, almost like a plum wine. Scarlet edge. Not much head, but it's a rocky, very dark tan with slow and spotty lacing. Looks quite nice. But it isn’t. Not even close. Aroma is vinegary and vinous and holy shit. Flavor is grapey and vinegary, totally off-balance like I thought the beer was spoiled and off. A little leather pokes through, but doesn’t make it go down easier. This guy is a monster. But somehow, the body is surprisingly thin, also silky in texture. Finish is ridiculously hot and darkly malty beneath it all. Big grape flavors into wine with a sharp woodiness and balance like a one-man seesaw. What a disappointment.
Vac (2274), San Diego, California, USA
Jun 14, 2004 This brew pours with a cloudy ddep amber body topped by a thin head with little lacing. The aroma is bitter, malty and oakey with lots of alcohol and a touch of fruit. The flavor is sweet yet bitter, woody and malty with a touch of friut and alcohol. Full bodied, smooth and warming.
grant (764), Martinez, California, USA
Feb 24, 2004 I can't help but think it was not right (Toronado Barley Wine Fest '04) but because I was assured by several people that it was as it was supposed to be, I'll rate it. Where do I start? A dull, unenlightened brown. It is SOUR, but not in that good lambic-y way we're all familiar with. Aroma is actually quite nice--quite reminiscent of a good port, but perhaps a bit more treacly--lots of big fat red grape notes with smooth brown sugar/molasses malts. But flavor is surprisingly uncomplex, and bafflingly thin for such a big beer. Just sour with little or no malt complexity. Fetid. I did not find this complex or enjoyable in any way. Sorry.
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