Spectacular 11.5% alcohol content bodes well for absolutely perfect 9.6-ounce crimson-hued barleywine. Blood-thick malt extract and choice English hops provide rich luster to mocha creaminess. Sharp barleywine sweetness, rum raisin remnant, and raspy floral spiced bouquet soften dried fruit finish. Compares favorably to robust European Double Bocks and first-rate French Ales in both presentation and attention to detail.
Tag Archives: barleywine
O’DELLS CURMUDGEON’S NIP BARLEYWINE ALE
STONE OLD GUARDIAN BARLEYWINE ALE 2006
Awesome ruby amber ’06 version covers harsh boozy malting with sherry warmth, bruised orange sensation, and delectable butterscotch twist. Further investigation reveals clinging cherry-apricot tang engaging prune-raisin wisp and candi-sugared whim. Mysteriously, debris-like earthen mushroom musk heightens (instead of ruins), sweet Scotch nucleus.
DOGFISH HEAD OLDE SCHOOL BARLEYWINE
Incredible 15% alcohol wallop, sweet sticky Scotch malt kick, and peach brandy warmth provide unmistakable complexity for fig-fermented barleywine. Cereal grains enhance lingered caramel-butterscotch permanence as seductively juicy mandarin orange, red grape, black cherry, and mango medley overlay earthy evergreen dryness and roasted nut bottom. On tap, tangy grapefruit bitterness and candied sugar splendor detected.
J.W. LEES HARVEST ALE 1999
Limited edition 11% alcohol ruffian with dense rust hue perfectly matches Scotch-malted cognac sweetness to oncoming port succulent. Sticky prune thickness goes way beyond grain-defined “harvest” barleywine tag. Busy moonshine finish elevates creamy butterscotch, chocolate, and brown sugar influence.
RED HOOK TREBLEHOOK BARLEYWINE
Not-so ‘vigorously-hopped’ limited edition ’07 barleywine hides 9.8% alcohol thrust behind pleasing sweet Scotch frontage, IPA-like hop-embittered quince-apricot-cherry center, and syrupy malt usurpation. Candy apple glaze secures imminent floral-citric tang. Though thin-bodied, very approachable for lighter thirsts.
STONE CAT BARLEYWINE
EKU 28
Unbeatable barleywine-styled eisbock injects boisterous 11% alcohol swoon into chewy molasses malting, creamy butterscotch sideswipe, orange-bruised stewed prune ripeness, dark rum whir and endless fruited compote adjuncts. A virtual godsend for hard-core drinkers, its hefty port-sherry influence, chocolate-covered cherry quip and hard-candied medicinal spell receive desirous Cognac warmth. There’s even a hint of Southern Comfort. Truly phenomenal.
J.W. LEES HARVEST ALE (CALVADOS CASK) 2003
(RIDGEWAY) CRIMINALLY BAD ELF BARLEYWINE
Fourth in a series behind Bad, Seriously Bad, and Very Bad Elf, hilariously labeled barleywine highlights a jailed dwarf. Boozy 10% alcohol whir and stiff brandy sniff guarantee heady rigidity justified by chewy caramel malting and bruised orange-cherry-banana sweetness countering increasingly bitter solvent-like severity. Syrupy cling peaches, rum-soaked raisins, wet tobacco, bubblegum, and vanilla decorate brown-sugared molasses sapping. It’s concentrated evil.