Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine

Bottle, 2007. Excellent. Best barleywine I’ve had. Palate is extremely smooth, short, sweet finish. Soft carbonation and a fruity aroma with caramel and vanilla notes round it out.

[Bottle] Pours a hazy, caramelly gold with a medium beige head. Aroma is strong with citric hops, caramel-toffee, a touch of raisin, and a little alcohol. Flavor is very caramelly and rich, warming alcohol doesn’t detract from the flavor. Pine and citric hops add flavor and bitterness. Overall a good beer.

Bottle @ Chris_o’s Pre-Beer Exposed Tasting, September 2008.
Pours a very pretty red with a small, creamy, off-white head. Aroma is powerfully hoppy, light strawberries, melons and lots of caramel. Fine, dry mouthfeel. Flavour is softly sweet, fine caramel and dried fruits. Good, high hoppiness. But it feels a bit ’old’ and rather dull - especially compared to that inflated average rating.

2008 bottle Pours amber with a small off white head. Aroma is dominated by citrusy hops. Flavor is grapefruit, caramel malt, ripe fruit, and maybe a hint of licorice. Would probably be better with some cellaring.

Bottle, 2007. Heavy malt aromas of cereal and caramel, moderate orange for the hops, and dough for the yeast, with date, apple, brown sugar and slight hint of anise. Head is small, frothy, slightly off white, with good lacing, and is mostly diminishing. Color is muddy tan. Flavor starts moderately to heavily sweet and lightly acidic, then finishes lightly acidc, moderately bittersweet and a touch sour. Palate is medium to full, between creamy and syrupy, with a soft carbonation. Rich in aromas and an excellent balance in flavors.