Satisfying English-styled barleywine lacks exquisite profile depth of richer competition, but its polite caramel malting, brown-sugared raisin sweetness and syrupy molasses sapping ultimately suffice. Light bourbon licks bring mild alcohol burn to dried fruited finish. Latent fig, date and apricot illusions as well as wavered vanilla pudding, butterscotch and gingerbread nuances fill the back end.
Outstanding 4th anniversary (2015) barleywine, aged in cognac, abounds with velvety brandy-wined candi sugar and rum-spiced mocha fruiting. Chocolate-covered cherry center sweetens creamy cognac essence as well as honeyed vanilla caking and maple-sapped molasses syruping. Subsidiary bruised cherry, syrupy peach, brown banana, nectarine and apricot illusions deepen its enduring complexities.
Despite being stylishly light, multifarious pleasantries sweep and glide across subtle Cabernet Franc-barreled zinfandel wining surprisingly integrating barley-roasted nut brown ale tendencies, molasses-sugared brown chocolate sweetness and dried fruited niceties. Dewy maca-rooted cola, hazelnut, chestnut and buttered pecan variance as well as toffee-candied raisin, plum and fig illusions upend passive Cabernet influence. Caramelized chocolate malting holds steady and the busy flavor profile ultimately holds up well.
On tap at Ambulance, desirous rye whiskey-barreled barleywine balances butterscotch-licked caramel malting, nut-backed dried fruiting, sweet vanilla creaming and brown-sugared rum spicing. Ultimately, dry rye spicing infiltrates ascending fig-raisin-plum conflux, docile praline-chestnut-almond triage and wispy bourbon-burgundy wining. A winning combination.
Stylistically thin, despite “rich malty, berry, grape and graham” assertion. Yet its centrist appeal will not displease bolder thirsts. Molasses-sugared dried fruiting and sweet wheat-flaked caramel malting contrast Cascade-hopped citrus bittering in a creative manner. Zesty orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple and tangerine tang outdoes black cherry, raisin and fig conflux, picking up candied apple glaze by the fruitful finish. Tertiary Grand Marnier, almondine, port and blackberry wine notes sit below the surface.
On tap at Ambulance, stylishly moderate ‘pale barleywine aged on oak chips’ contrasts honeyed yeast sweetness and sugared grapefruit-orange tang with soured fig tartness. Oaken vanilla buttering and crayon-like grouting drape the backend.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, excellent Devil’s Milk barleywine gets draped in Kentucky white oak bourbon barrels for an intensely complex summertime adventure. Luxurious bourbon sweetness gains light cognac lilt as zesty grapefruit peel bittering and sharp citric hop bite reveal sunny underside girded by pale, wheat and melanoiden malt dryness. On the sweet side, toasted coconut, almondine, maple molasses and toffee illusions gain attention alongside subtler plum-raisin conflux.
On tap at Ambulance, summery dry-hopped barleywine gathers zesty citric fruiting to create crystalline India Pale Ale splendor. Bright navel orange, yellow grapefruit and pineapple overtones gain strength above sugary caramel malting. Minor alcohol astringency found at citric-candied finish.
On tap at Cloverleaf, highly expressive hopped-up version of annual barleywine brings juicy citric, tropical and stone fruited pleasantries to maple-sugared caramel malting. Tangy orange-bruised grapefruit, tangerine, peach, cherry, cantaloupe, melon, mango and pineapple sweetness as well as subsidiary red apple and brown pear illusions dance on the tongue alongside elegant cognac and almondine nuances. In the recess, boozy whiskey and vodka tangents reside. An excellent 2015 elixir.
Elaborate barleywine carefully blends gooey cookie dough yeast with toasted caramel malts, dry Citra hops and brown chocolate spicing, leaving orange-bruised floral fruiting in its lightly pungent alcohol wake. Chewy brown chocolate sugaring sweetens honey-glazed walnut, pecan, and almond nuttiness as well as vintage Chardonnay, Bordeaux and sherry wining. Floral-bound orange zest, grapefruit, brown pear, red cherry, nectarine, raspberry and peach tang brightens the busy mix.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, outstanding bourbon barrel aged English barleywine fortifies soft-toned honey fruited spicing with mild bourbon licks and oaken vanilla phenols. Dried-fruited red cherry, currant raisin and plum tones ascend above toffee-sweetened caramel nuttiness. Perfect dessert treat for experienced quaffers.
Easygoing amber-hazed summertime barleywine (’14) slips caramel sweetness and sugary toffee into sinewy yeast. Candied apple glazes Maraschino cherry, raisin, prune, fig, sugarplum and bruised orange fruiting. Chestnut, almond and pecan smidge affects oaken vanilla subsidy. Dark rum and bourbon undertones provide mild alcohol burn.
