Big Woody Barley Wine
Glacier Brewhouse

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From:
Glacier Brewhouse
 
Alaska, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
Ranked #58
ABV:
11.2%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,118
Avg:
4.32 | pDev: 5.32%
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
42
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 23, 2023
Added:
Jan 23, 2006
Wants:
  30
Gots:
  1
Huge malt and intense fruitiness dominate. No expense is spared with the use of English floor malted barley. Aged in various oak barrels including Jim Beam and Napa Valley wine barrels for a minimum of one year. A true delight.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
 
Rated: 4.25 by FLBeerGuy from Florida

Aug 06, 2021
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.98/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This was the 3rd beer I had at the Toronado Barleywine Festival 2010. It took 1st place.

Poured a dark amber with 1/6" off white head. Beautiful aroma of Beam Bourbon and wood. Big woody. Get it. Dallop of vanilla on top.

Taste was an interesting development, the bittering suggests an American Barleywine, but it was entirely appropriate and very much secondary (or even further down the ladder) from the barrel and the woodiness thereof. When you mix together the hoppiness, the brown sugar like notes, the vanilla, the big woodiness and the familiar strength, yet smoothness of the bourbon character, you get a beer that is much greater than the sum of its parts. Carbonation was low yet appropriate for a beer of this nature. Mo smooveness. Mouth feel was never hot, never sludgy, not overly challenging, was a genuine pleasure to sip on. The kind of beer you would love to take an hour to sip on a 6 oz pour with a good book down by the river (not in a van). Dunno if I'll ever see it again, but if you do, check it out.
Apr 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by Kurmaraja from California

Dec 14, 2017
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Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.91/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
On tap at Glacier brew house. This was poured into a wine glass. The appearance was a dark brown color with no head and no lacing. The smell had a big fresh boozy sweet vanilla. A light sweet woody traces my nose nicely. The taste copied the smell and added a big boozy punch on my taste buds in the aftertaste. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a fairly good sipping quality about it. The carbonation was smooth as a good barleywine should. Overall, this was a pretty good barleywine that I would have again.
Jun 10, 2017
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Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

4.17/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
01/13/2017.
Jan 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Dec 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by rspauldi from Texas

Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.52 by Lyxil from Texas

Oct 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.06 by johnyb from Florida

Jun 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by kaseydad from California

Feb 10, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by itracy63 from Washington

Dec 14, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by BillHilly from Washington

Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by strongaf from Washington

Apr 20, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by mdaschaf from Indiana

Apr 02, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by jpbebeau from Washington

Mar 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by ArchEnemyBrew from Washington

Mar 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by FalconA from Massachusetts

Mar 25, 2013
Photo of Flightoficarus
Reviewed by Flightoficarus from Washington

4.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Been awhile since a review, but gave this one a try at the hard liver barleywine fest, and had to throw in my say :)

A - Chestnut brown color, with a tan foam. Retention on the moderate side.

S - Smell is of oak, vanilla, toffee, caramel, dark fruits (prune, cherry), and even some scotch-like notes (Without the alcohol on the nose). There's a whole lot of complexity going on here for sure!

T - Taste is of vanilla and oak, which almost gives this beer a sort of "marshmallow" sweetness to it. Notes of caramel and toffee. Dark fruits and mild hoppiness offer some balance, and keep it from being cloying. Throughout the whole sip, other "woody" flavors seamlessly make their way in with the other flavors. Complex, and amazingly smooth and delicious!

M - Most definitely a full bodied beer, with just the right, modest amount of carbonation. Alcohol is very well hidden, making this one a little too easy to drink.

O - Bottom line, if you can get your hands on some of this, be sure to try some! A truly great barleywine that I can see being a good pairing with some dessert.
Mar 24, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by MacStinson from Michigan

Mar 24, 2013
Big Woody Barley Wine from Glacier Brewhouse
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 42 ratings