Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine

Brewed by Three Floyds Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Munster, Indiana USA

Rerate 2009 just didn’t match up compared to 2008. A little less hops in the aroma and flavor. Still a wonderful brew, but a little something is missing.

May 28, 2008 2008 Bottle. Dark red in color with a warm sweet taste that is well accented by strong hop character. I really enjoyed the balance in this beer. More hoppy and bitter than most barely wines out there, but the really impressive thing is how wonderfully smooth this beer is. At 12%, it’s smoother than almost any other barely wine I’ve ever had. Complex, flavorful, and a complete joy to drink. [8.5.8.5.18]

2007 Bottle: The beer was dark amber to brown in color and poured a 1/4" head with tight bubbles that dissipated leaving some random lacing. The nose was filled with candied orange rinds, caramel, pine, grapefruit and malt balls. In the mouth it was of medium density, rich and mouth-coating. The beer built into the midpalate and showed the sweet malt from the nose. The finish was lingering and turned dry though kept some sweetness. Overall, an enjoyable beer now that seems like it will age well over the next 3 - 5 years especially if it loses a touch of sweetness.

Courtesy of acknud. Bottle. Pours a cloudy, murky, syrupy caramel color. Very little head on this one. A thin white ring of lacing persists around the top of the beer. Aroma is fantastic. Candied caramel, raisins, soft nougat, milk chocolate, brown sugar. Flavor is just as action-packed, with caramel, sweet raisins, brown sugar, nougat, all overlain with a coating of floral hops. Creamy mouthfeel, soft bitter bite on the end. Very good barley wine.

2007 Bottle, courtesy of drewbeerme. Pours an orangish-tinted brown with a small head. Amazingly strong and good aroma of caramel, chocolate, citrus and mint. Nice balance of hops and malt in the taste. Medium body. ’Tis most excellent!

Very nice. Cloudy amber pour. This was a 2007 release. Nose very loud with citrus. Taste is complex with citrus hops, caramel and dark fruits. Good drink for a winter night.

2008. Aroma is hoppy-citrus (orange). Nice sweet malt, almond. Taste: moderately sweet, yet pretty dry. Very nicely balanced. Got some a bit of unexpected pizazz.

07 bottle. Big thanks to Bobby91w for this one! Pours a murky amber with a thin, dense, light tan head that fades to a film. Aroma has a bunch of citrus hops, a ton of big caramel malts, and breakfast cereal (grain). Flavor shows the alcohol, but certainly doesn’t seem like 12%. Tons of smooth, malty goodness with a great hop backbone - it’s great when it’s this mellow, but I’d love to try it fresh, too - the hop oils have definitely broken down. Some apple and grapefruit notes, as well. Really, really good - FFF doesn’t fail to impress. Can’t wait to try more from them.

Pours an orangish-tinted brown with a small head. Amazingly strong and good aroma of caramel, chocolate, citrus and mint.