Grand Illumination
Alewerks Brewing Company

Grand IlluminationGrand Illumination
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From:
Alewerks Brewing Company
 
Virginia, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
Ranked #153
ABV:
10%
Score:
88
Ranked #15,066
Avg:
3.91 | pDev: 9.46%
Reviews:
109
Ratings:
254
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 01, 2022
Added:
Dec 20, 2007
Wants:
  30
Gots:
  53
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ThisWangsChung:
Photo of ThisWangsChung
Reviewed by ThisWangsChung from Maryland

4.16/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bottle (2013 vintage) into a tulip.

A: Pours a clear copper color. The head is a one finger pale yellow shade. Not only is the retention good, but it leaves behind some nice rings of lacing.

S: The hops here seem to be more citrusy than piny. I even want to say they're kind of berry-forward, suggesting this has Mosaic hops. Caramel and toffee malts are present, but thankfully are subdued. Actually, subdued is a good way to describe the general aroma; still decent, though.

T: Holy crap, where did all this blueberry flavor come from? And not the pure Fruity Pebbles you get in, say, Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat, but actual friggen' blueberries. This note hits the palate immediately and I love it. There's no way this isn't brewed with Mosaic - as well as this brew shows off the berry notes, how can't it be? It finishes with some more piny hop flavors, caramel, toffee, and a twinge of alcohol. Just an all-around excellent barleywine.

M: This is relatively light and crisp (for the style), yet still retains well-concealed alcohol. It's not overly dry, either. It does an excellent job of covering up the 10%.

O: I admit, when Bitter Valentine let me down, it made me take pause over this offering. I was dead wrong: this is freaking fantastic. There's just enough 'balance' to display the berry-forward goodness without overpowering the palate. One of my favorite hoppy barleywines to date.
Jan 23, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 5 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Sep 01, 2022
 
Rated: 4.22 by BrookW from Virginia

May 23, 2020
 
Rated: 3.58 by hophugger from Virginia

Feb 05, 2019
 
Rated: 3.83 by Kurmaraja from California

Jan 12, 2018
 
Rated: 3.65 by Marzen_Fan from Ohio

Dec 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3.82 by socon67 from New York

Aug 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by oline73 from Maryland

May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.9 by wisrarebeer from Wisconsin

Apr 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.3 by unclekeith from Alaska

Mar 05, 2017
Photo of yesterdayfaraway
Reviewed by yesterdayfaraway from Missouri

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
L: pours dark amber color with a film of head that fades. In a the glass it looks like it poured and maybe leaning towards a light rust color.
S: sugar coated raisin purée.
T: the sweetness reminds me of caramel coated raisins.
F: a syrupy feel, medium to light thickness
Mar 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4.83 by waltc21 from Virginia

Feb 16, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by AMCPhD from Virginia

Jan 29, 2017
 
Rated: 4.54 by Categart from Pennsylvania

Dec 24, 2016
Photo of Grackos
Rated by Grackos from Florida

3.77/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pretty good but there's much better.
Dec 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.79 by julielynndubee from Virginia

Oct 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.92 by brocktune from Virginia

Aug 14, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by PA-Michigander from Pennsylvania

Jul 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.6 by Cpmitchno1 from Virginia

Jul 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by mothman from Minnesota

Jun 17, 2016
Grand Illumination from Alewerks Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 254 ratings