Ringneck FOTB Barleywine

Amber color with a quick tan head that faded to a lasting ring. Very complex nose of rosemary, juniper and spruce. Lots of complex sugars in the flavor. Apricot, orange, caramel, toffee, alcohol with the hops finishing with a sustained citrus rind note. The highlight of the tour.

12-oz. goblet at the Brew Kettle. Opulent cherry chestnut in color with a creamy, grey, half-inch mossy head. Ripe bing cherries from the aromatic get-go, along with amarillo, amaretto, red raspberries, grenadine over buttery toffee, and slightly accented by cedar. Flavor brigade is a sweet, sugar encompassing ceremony. Caramel spiced by a hoppy roséboom bouquet. Bittered spruce aligned with a maple vat’s sugar-saturated qualities. Cherry pie melding as well. Sticky, sweet and a palate thirst beggar. Formidably balanced and young like I like ’em, finishing like cherry flavored Nips. A lovely beer.

tap. bottle. Nice deep red color, white head. nice lite, sweet smell. good smooth wet body. flavor full of malt, caramel, sweet bitter finish that is complex but doesn’t cause an aneurysm. not overpowering for 11.5% abv beer. good bottle for the stash.

Had on tap at the Brew Kettle as part of sampler. 2007 batch. Reddish brown in color, slight head. Smelled sweet and caramel like. Tasted very smooth! Very sweet up front. Brown sugar or molases, then some piney, fruity flavors, finishing with a bitter hoppy taste. Which is blended well here. Both my husband and I enjoyed this very much!

On tap at the Brew Kettle. 07 vintage keg. Pour is cloudy amber color with off white head. This has an amazing aroma showcasing raisin, caramel, and a sweet tangy bite. Has a medium heavy mouthfeel. Flavor follows the nose and has smooth character that is inviting. Overall a top notch brew. Should be on tap all the time at this place and I’d never leave.

Dark copper body, no head, but only because they filled the snifter to the rim! Herbal - rosemary?, citrus grapefruit, floral. Smells great. Every whiff of aroma and every taste seemed to bring on new qualities to this - I haven’t had a beer with this kind of complexity in awhile. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, smooth, a nice little hop bite at the edges that add to the oaky ending. (Winner of the day on the "Drew’s Magical Mystery Tour" - 5/29/2004)

Tap: Hazy copper hue with oily film on top. The aroma has notes of pepper, juniper berries, sage, pineaplle, grapefruit, blueberry, vanilla, earthy and sherry qualities, some phenols. The taste starts with a wild floral and piney character. A fruity undertones follows with a sublime malt background. Vanilla, wood, and spices upon the finish. The mouthfeel is sticky, oily and lush. Provides a twangy and snappy feel upon the finish and is warming upon the chest. Wow, what a wonderful brew, full of complexity and depth, a winner! (Note: As most small brewpubs, it is served too cold, let warm to near room temp)

This is a hazy light copper with an ok head that fades quickly. There’s a nice little burst of hops in the aroma. There’s a slight bit of butter and a good caramel sweetness, but not too sweet. It’s got a slick mouthfeel and is pretty sticky. Tasty.