3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
This is one hazy concotion from Brock! Do not sip this unitl it setttles to at east 55-degrees in temperature. It takes on an entirely new aromatic identity upon warming up a bit. Strong astringent odor initially that seems to diminish any casade,Northern Brewer hop aroma character, but reveals a nice smack of the chocolate malts at the start of the sip. Finishes with a very balanced taste, as if the Cascades/Northern Brewers were conquered by the saaz. No complaints here, though. A very fine example of the style. I am just a hophead at heart and mind. Cheers Brock!
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
UPDATED: SEP 1, 2006 WOW! This is a crazy big complex and Outrageously delicous barleywine! for a first attempt on a beer of this magnitude Saint Arnolds did quite well, Now this beer needs to be cellared 4 more maximum enjoyment because it is still alittle rough around the edges but this beer could win awards and could even bring on world peace! wow, I am so happy that i devoted 2 full days of searching, calling and generally going out of my mind to find this stuff...Of the 14 stores that had planned to get it in...7 never did or the employees hid it..and 3 sold out in less than 1/2 an hour ...and 3 sold out in 3 hours or less ..and one only other store only got in only one case, which i spilt with my beerguy at the store...what an adventure! brock, u rule my man. barleywine = smile
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
a very rare, highly sought after English style Barleywine. what seems out of balance now with the roast and specialty malts will slowly mellow creating complexity, this rating will increase to reflect that in the future, but still some of it is based upon potential, the work of some sly bastards.
3.5 AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Bottle. DRINK THIS ABOUT 5-10 DEGREES BELOW ROOM TEMPERATURE; DO NOT DRINK COLD!!! Pours a rich amber/brown with a small head and nice lacing. Aroma is fruity, with a bit of hops in the background. Flavor is a symphony of taste delights that congregate around a foundation of bittersweetness. (It’s a bittersweet symphony this liiiife.) Hints of hops, raisin, and malt that rounds out almost coffee-like. Palate is thick and chewy. I’m cellaring two of these (1 for one year and the other for two); interested to see what happens.
Not bad.
3.8 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Smells sweet and alcoholic. Citrucy and coffee like arome that im not too fond of. Taste has a coffee bitterness to it, has a sweet caramel base, with an impressive hop assault. Thick ass mouthfeel. About time St. Arnold came out with a big beer. This could use some cellaring though. All in all, good stuff.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
UPDATED: MAY 24, 2006 Drawn like a moth to the flame. Got the call at work this morning that there’s a new barleywine in and of this state. Then comes the mixed feelings - as I attempt to track the thing down I’m told that EVERYONE IS CALLING ABOUT THIS. Who ARE these people and why did I ever want to promote beer? They’re taking MY beer gawtdammitk! Alas, I find TWO freakin’ bottles, one of which I promise to the friend that called (and it was brewed on his birthday after all).
And so? Tex/Brit? Maris Otter is mighty fine, but that damn chocolate malt needs to shut up a bit. Okay, maybe if I can manage to find another bottle and cellar things may change. Full, chewy, rich and all those other things w/o being the least bit sweet (to me, but hey, I’m the one drinking it, right?) Plenty enough hops to ward off the meek along with some alcohol bite, which I for one expect or encourage in these matters. Litlle enough hops that hop monsters will shrung and chuckle. So happy that after oh so long Saint Arnold has come around to making this. Well done - a finely crafted jewel (which I paid dearly for, friends). Now if that lovely lady of mine in Houston can just find some more ....__________
______________________________
af having now sampled this a few times I am less impressed. Still probably my favorite St. Arnolds and hoping that more is done in a bigger way as the lighter fare from here tends not to be my thing - unless they re-invent some ...
3.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 2/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
UPDATED: NOV 3, 2005 Pours very murky brown with little head. Sweet, fruity, dusty cocoa and caramel aroma with a touch of alcohol. Big bodied. Sweet toffee flavor with a bit of chocolate and some alcohol burn. Pleasant fruit and coffee notes. Bitter finish. Relatively muted hop flavor for the style, just a bit spicy. Still very hot. Needs to be layed down for a while.
|
