Rogue Old Crustacean Barleywine

From a 6oz Bottle, Vintage 1998. Pours a hazy dark, coppery amber color with a thin head of fleeting off-white. Fruity aroma with notes of raspberry and pale chocolate. Light caramel sweetness and some fading plum. Full bodied, lightly carbonated mouthfeel with a rich malty texture. There’s plenty to chew on, but it’s certainly not a sugar bomb. Caramel malt sweetness and faint notes of toast up front on the palate. Flavors of chocolate, cherry, and toasted pecan. There’s still a remarkable amount of hop bitterness left in this beer, helping to dry up the finish.

Big baeutiful bottle with a swing stopper that Paul generously poured from. Deep ruby pour with faint head retention. Heavy malts and and alcohol warmth. This is one of the best BW’s I’ve tried. Really well done and balanced. Light on hops and full of sweet malt complexity and warmth. The finish was pitted fruits, brandy soaked raisins, maple syrup, roasted malts, and general goodness.

2002 vinatge 12oz’r. Poured burgandy color with off white head. Taste was maple and malt. The hops were completely gone and turned into a malt bomb. Drinkable, but nothing to get excited about. Just an "ok" beer.

Draught at El Bait Shop in Des Moines, IA. Murky ruddy brown with a moderate tan head, nice creamy lacing. Aroma is sweet and fruity hops which follows in to a very sweet hoppy flavor that finishes bitter with floral notes. Full bodied. Nice hoppy barleywine, though a bit sticky sweet.

Tiny little bottle from ’93 shared by Thickfreakness. Thanks!
Pours a maroon color with no head. Smell is soy sauce and caramel and smooth aged malt. Slightly triple bock like. Taste is creamy, nutty and a bit fruity with some soy sauce. Tastes very old indeed. Certainly entirely different from a fresh bottle, although I’ve yet to try this fresh.