DiGregorio English Style California Barleywine
Ruhstaller - BSMT

DiGregorio English Style California BarleywineDiGregorio English Style California Barleywine
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Ruhstaller - BSMT
 
California, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
12%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.9 | pDev: 10.77%
Reviews:
6
Ratings:
30
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 07, 2018
Added:
Dec 29, 2013
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by teamwiggum:
Photo of teamwiggum
Rated by teamwiggum from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mar 08, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of kreisermj
Reviewed by kreisermj from California

3.81/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
Roughly half a 22 oz bottle poured into a snifter. Very little head on this one. There is less than a quarter-inch head at its thickest, which dissolves quickly leaving a small patch of lace in the center of the glass. Color is a clear dark brown with red hues. I’d call it a very dark ruby, and it’s really quite pretty when held to the light. Smell is malt, malt, and more malt. Dark breads mix with heavy grains and burnt fruits to create a very rich aroma. The mouthfeel is actually lighter than I expected, given the nose. The flavor is definitely malt-dominant, with thick, yeasty, unproofed dark breads mixed with molasses and boozy sweetness; however, after a second or two, a bittering burst of hops plays at the back of the tongue to balance the intense grain base. After the swallow, an alcoholic warmth washes over the tongue while the bitterness continues to linger. Post swallow actually seems a bit slick. Overall a pretty tasty rendition of an English-Style barleywine with a bit of an extra hoppy twist.
Aug 07, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by JuiceMan818 from California

Apr 21, 2018
Photo of darktronica
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I was not originally a fan of this when I had it fresh, several years ago. After letting another bottle rest in the cellar for a few years, I would say it is better, but still not particularly good in comparison to many other English barleywines. Along with a pleasant maltiness, this has some prominent notes of black Assam tea, gumdrops, and a botanical bitterness in the finish that undercuts any pleasing sweetness at the front of the palate.
Jun 06, 2017
 
Rated: 3.89 by Bubbawilly88 from California

Feb 16, 2016
 
Rated: 3.81 by nmann08 from Virginia

Jan 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.52 by Hohnbaum from Kansas

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.02 by jaydoc from Kansas

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 3.56 by hickmancase from California

Oct 11, 2015
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

4.22/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Pours a murky dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of toasted malt, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, citrus zest, and wood aromas. Taste is much the same with toast, caramel, toffee, candied citrus zest, earth, and wood flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of toast and hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with fantastic aromas and tasty flavors that make this one tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle.
Aug 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by Zuidman from Illinois

May 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by ffshore545 from Illinois

May 10, 2015
Photo of BethanyB
Reviewed by BethanyB from New York

3.83/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75
Look: A somewhat murky medium brown, with fizzy beads of tan on top. Not wondrous to behold, but perfectly acceptable for the style.

Smell: Resembles a cool climate Syrah. Sweet, juicy dark fruit, with fermented grapes in the foreground. Fresh figs and cocoa are key players within the complex layers. Earth and oak keep things grounded.

Taste: The same Syrah-like flavor is present in the taste, but there is a curious honey and marmalade mixture, which, oddly enough, brings balance rather than competitiveness. A light bitterness presents itself right away, perhaps providing a distraction from the potentially discordant flavors. The complex malt expected from this style is hidden beneath the fruity layers, but not so much that it is sorely missed.

Mouthfeel: Extremely dry throughout, with such strong carbonation, that my tongue became numb, as if it were being beat upon by pop rocks. Not a good sensation when it comes to taste bud retention. The intense dryness creates an almost vaporous quality.

Overall: Fascinating complexity makes this a beer worth trying., although the first sips are the best--it's too bad that the mouthfeel seems to suck out the flavor. Perhaps some time will tone down the carbonation.
Apr 10, 2015
Photo of Jacksteinberg
Rated by Jacksteinberg from California

3.76/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Overall a little too bitter
Apr 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.58 by BWood from California

Mar 20, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Jan 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.2 by sjmad23 from California

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by House_of_Pim from California

Aug 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4.3 by Kevinpitts from Illinois

Aug 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Mightykingmalard from California

May 23, 2014
DiGregorio English Style California Barleywine from Ruhstaller - BSMT
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 30 ratings