 Ughsmash (2814), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 15, 2005
Bottled Feb. 4, 2005. Pour was an eerie, cloudy shade of orangish-amber with a tall and creamy beige head. Looked quite nice as the head was about as tall as the liquid.. and it filled my large snifter to capacity. Extra-fine sediment suspended in there, and intricate lacing followed the liquid down. Nose picked up adult Christmas candy (move over eggnog)... deep and seductive caramel and molasses sweetness, holiday spices, citrus and darker fruits, and a wonderful floral hop presence... and albeit not explicit, you know there’s a solid dose of alcohol lurking beneath your nose. Somehow, the magnificent interplay of flavors outshined the aroma. I don’t know how it happened, but damn was this good! Sugarplums, oranges, and grapefruit in there tasted like they were personally squeezed/stomped by a magical beer elf just for me. Caramel and molasses provided a fantastic medium backbone, with just the right amount of sweetness. Noble hoppage gave the brew a perfect floral/earthy quality, and was present from first whiff through four minutes after the finish. Alcohol was there, but only to give the flavor some extra zest, to impart some throat- and belly-warming-ness, and to make me feel quite fine when I had laid this most excellent brew to rest. Get some!
Dedollewaitor (1818), Odense, Denmark
Jul 16, 2008 22oz bottle. Trade with TheEpeeist. Thanks. Pours close to amber with a red & orange hew & a lasting small creamy head on top - Wauw!. Nose is complex of various things. First is the dark fruits - resin & plum. Then it is the malty caramel. Nice citrus hop note also. Very smooth, soft & full mouthfeel. Sugar & alcohol is noticeable - but far from overpowering. Sticky lips. Well made & truly fine barley wine!
blutt59 (501), Dallas, Texas, USA
Jul 15, 2008 bottle, poured a dark orange into my glass, raisiny citrus nose that gives way to a fruity hopbomb with a sweet dry finish, very nice
General_Gao (2357), Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Jul 15, 2008 12oz bottle served at cellar temperature. Smelled of alcohol (ala apple brandy), brown sugar, light molasses, and tobacco. Poured a reddish orange color. The head was fizzy and dissipated quickly. Medium bodied and sweet with a warming alcohol effect. I tasted toffee, citrusy hops, toasted bread, tobacco, and black tea. Decent enough.
Headbanger (921), Aurora, Illinois, USA
Jul 13, 2008 12oz bottle(courtesy of mreusch)Enjoy by 12/29/2011. My bottle says ABV 11%.-Pours a cloudy amber body with some nice floaties and a small off white head. Aroma of sweetness, caramel, malt, and fruit. Taste of malt, hops, slight alcohol, raisins, plums, and finishes with a nice bitterness and dryness. Not one of my favorite styles but they kicked butt on this.
Mes_and_Sim (3927), London, Greater London, England
Jul 12, 2008 A Mes rate: bottle from American Beer Distributors.
Darkish red amber colour with a decent beige head. Big rich malty aroma with some good peppery alcohol and plenty of fleshy fruit. Big big flavour. Everything is turned up full. Malts are excellent, so are the hops. Bitterness is spot on, as are the sugar and barley. Strong hit of orange in the finish with some full on bitterness, rounded off with some warming alcohol but not at all over the top. Seriously good stuff.
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