Barleywine
Portsmouth Brewery

BarleywineBarleywine
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From:
Portsmouth Brewery
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
11.5%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.86 | pDev: 10.1%
Reviews:
32
Ratings:
59
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 31, 2019
Added:
Sep 04, 2007
Wants:
  26
Gots:
  0
A deep amber, full bodied, intensely bold beer that is made to show off the true qualities of the malts used. Flavors of figs and dates and malt sweetness predominate with enough earthiness from the hops to balance this beer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by portia99:
Photo of portia99
Reviewed by portia99 from Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz bottle purchased direct from the brewery. Poured into a Portsmouth goblet. Sorry Chris...couldn't stare at this in my fridge any longer and had to crack it open...

A - Pours a dark brown color with attractive amber highlights around the edges and a thin half finger of cream colored foam that falls quickly to a thick layer and collar - both of which never disappear thru the glass. Some sparse, loose lacing decorates the glass too as the beer level sinks to the bottom.

S - Rich caramel aroma with some light molasses. Some light citrusy hops that fade out and a bit of bready, maybe a touch yeasty aromas too. Aroma is on the low side in intensity...really need to get your nose down in the glass to appreciate it.

T - Molasses and dark caramel are very much out in front of the flavors. A bit of fruitiness (I'm thinking cherry, but not sure) with a slightly tart touch come next. Nice touches of brown sugar, a quick hit of alcohol flavor and warmth, the smallest hint of vanilla kicks in too...and as it warms I think I'm tasting a bit of coffee too. Hop bitterness is really nice in this one. The bitterness is at a medium level that really blends nicely with the sweet, sugary malts at the base. It provides a good offset to balance things out but doesn't interfere with the malt flavors at all. You can catch all of the malt complexities without them getting lost in the hops.

M - Medium bodied...not as thick or heavy as I expected (and maybe desire in a barleywine). There is enough thickness so the beer sits on the tongue and coats the mouth nicely with all of the various sweet, caramelly, sugary flavors found in this one. Carbonation is on the light side, which fits perfectly here. Slightly foamy at first, but resulting in a smooth, creamy feel. A bit of alcohol warmth to round things out.

D - Really liking this barleywine. Lots of complexity in the malt flavors...nice balanced and complementary hop presence. After nearly completing the bomber of this, I'm feeling it a bit (not complaining tho), but the alcohol really gave just the right amount of presence...I really knew it was there, but it wasn't hot or distracting...really just enhanced the flavor and feel. Overall, very nice barleywine...gotta get a growler of this next time it shows up at the pub on tap.
Apr 14, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.27 by Didier from New Hampshire

Mar 31, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by oline73 from Maryland

May 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.81 by drummerdwzp from Connecticut

Dec 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Celtics76 from Rhode Island

Nov 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.83 by unclekeith from Alaska

Nov 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by bostonryan from Massachusetts

Oct 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Dicers from California

Jun 18, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Jan 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by AJ01923 from Massachusetts

Jan 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by DrStiffington from New Jersey

Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ajcormier from New Hampshire

Oct 31, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by rowingbrewer from Massachusetts

Oct 30, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by GraduatedCashew from California

Sep 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.45 by rderedin from Maine

Sep 16, 2013
Photo of Bicyclette
Reviewed by Bicyclette from New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
It's Decadent on a cool, damp eve...

Portsmouth has a cask of Barleywine Ale on Bourbon Oak that they're pouring from one of the downstairs casks. Personally, I am *so* partial to Bourbon finishing...

Lots of Bourbon fragrance. Lightly acidic with a lightly syrupy mouthfeel. Bold but not overwhelming malt. Little chocolate instead of the frequent burnt toast. Just enough hops to balance the flavor a bit.

Finish is warming, spicy and mellow at the same time.

Head was a billowy while foam with reasonable lasting power. Chestnut brown in color and nearly opaque.

On cask for maybe a couple more days... Maybe it'll still be here when it rains next.
Sep 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Satchboogie from Belgium

Aug 20, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by mattparsons from New Hampshire

Aug 07, 2013
Photo of Flounder57
Reviewed by Flounder57 from Massachusetts

3.76/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
22 oz bottle was poured into a large snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured an off white head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a dark ruby brown color with no clarity, but small by bubbles can be seen coming up the side of the glass.

Smell: Caramel and toasted malts, dark fruits, and booze.

Taste: Caramel, biscuity, toffee, boozy, tingly, dark fruits, some banana, and tingly hops.

Mouthfeel: Silky smooth, full bodied, boozy, medium carbonation, and nice and warming.

Overall: Pretty solid barleywine that I have enjoyed on draft and bottles. I love stopping by here on the way through Portsmouth on the way to OOB.
Aug 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by BPudd from Massachusetts

Jul 27, 2013
Barleywine from Portsmouth Brewery
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 59 ratings