Highly approachable Brit-styled barleywine lifts majestic caramel-malted chocolate molasses malts above candied dried fruiting and sugared spices in soft-toned manner. Subtle sherry, cognac and brandy illusions as well as light medicinal cherry tones further enliven chocolate-fruited delight. Latent red grape, hazelnut, pecan, fig, plum and raisin wisps remain in the distance.
Tag Archives: barleywine
THE BRUERY MELANGE NO.14
On tap at Poor Henry’s, vintage strong ale (13.4% ABV) saturates mighty mocha fudging with bourbon-barreled sherry-port-cognac sweetness and caramelized molasses richness. Elegant bourbon chocolate pleasantry picks up latent candied fig, toasted coconut, plum wine and blackberry accents. A perfect mélange.
PIPEWORKS SANTA VERSUS UNICORN AMERICAN BARLEYWINE
By blending an Imperial Red Ale and Red Double IPA with an American-styled barleywine, wintry “rainbowed chaos” turns up the sharp alcohol brashness (10% ABV) to saturate its IPA-like piney fruiting and toasted caramel malting. Sparkling orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine and mango tang and subtler cherry-fig-plum undertones receive resinous wood-lacquered coating.
RUSHING DUCK PART IV BARLEYWINE
Considerable bourbon-barreled barleywine strikes a nerve with rich molasses-candied fruiting, chewy caramel malt creaming and boozy 11.7% ABV sway. Luscious bruised cherry, moscatel sherry, port, cognac and triple sec illusions pick up spicy tingle. Perfect late night dessert treat.
PEEKSKILL DEAD TO ME BARLEYWINE
On tap at Ambulance, astounding collaboration with Poughkeepsie’s nearby Plan Bee Farm Brewery brings forth elegant port-wined bourbon warmth and maple molasses sugaring to guard dried-fruited prune, raisin, red grape and cherry overtones. Sharp hop spicing penetrates the sweet surface at rummy fruitcake finish.
MIDNIGHT SUN ARCTIC DEVIL BARLEYWINE
On tap at Ambulance, well-defined English-styled barleywine (13.2% ABV 2016 version) layers toffee-spiced caramel malting atop luxurious white rum-spiced molasses, tantalizing bourbon vanilla, chocolate-glazed dried fruiting, chewy cookie dough yeast and mild port wining. Sweet brown-sugared cherry, fig and raisin conflux sidles delightful butternut, pecan and almond illusions at the busy finish.
OTTER CREEK / LAWSON’S DOUBLE OR NOTHING MAPLE BARLEYWINE
On tap at River Of Beer, approachable moderate-bodied barleywine (collaboration between Vermont’s Otter Creek and Lawson’s Liquids) brings raisin puree sweetness to light port-sherry wining as subtle maple molasses syruping sits softly in the backdrop. Tertiary red grape, candied apple, brandied cherry, red currant and bourbon vanilla undertones add depth.
SMUTTYNOSE SMUTTLABS: OL’ GRUNDY HUMPER PALE BARLEYWINE – 2016
On tap at Barcade – Jersey City, perplexing oak chip-aged barleywine (circa 2016) stays stylishly moderate as oaken vanilla and honeyed pear adjuncts get lost among whiskeyed grain malting and blearily finishing 10.8% alcohol burn. In the distance, champagne grape, dried cherry and green apple tartness wavers.
CLIMAX 20TH ANNIVERSARY BARLEYWINE
On tap at River Of Beer, stylistically moderate barleywine stays silken as delicate caramel malting picks up light citric hop astringency to contrast red cherry sweetness and sugared fig resilience. Not as rich, creamy and resilient as brewers’ 15th anniversary celebrator, but ultimately fine nonetheless.
ALESMITH OLD NUMBSKULL BARLEYWINE
Resounding 11% ABV full body drapes piney floral-fruited IPA hop resilience atop fudgy cookie dough malts and sweet vanilla-creamed toffee sugaring. Assertive oak-charred hop bittering confronts bruised orange succulence as well as honey-glazed lemon, orange, peach, pineapple and black cherry tang. Light sherry, bourbon, brandy and Scotch illusions scurry below.
NEW BELGIUM BLACKBERRY BARLEYWINE
On tap at Flying Saucer in St. Louis, attractive mahogany-bronzed English-styled barleywine integrates sweet ‘n sour blackberry adjunct with Belgian candi-sugared honey malts. With just enough blackberry splendor, its tertiary raspberry, cherry, sugarplum and fig illusions help reinforce the floral fruited frontage.
TEN NINETY MERCI, PETIT CAPORAL
Flirtatious English-styled barleywine needs better overall distinction compared to more affluent competition. Exquisite bourbon licks fade abruptly above toasted white oak influence, tangy fruit sweetness and subtle caramel malting. Cookie dough yeast sugaring appends cherry-candied orange bruise onrush and red-wined Lambrusco champagne sparkle. Honeyed peach, sugared fig and apricot nuances find tertiary space.
