Olde Curmudgeon
La Conner Brewing Company

Olde CurmudgeonOlde Curmudgeon
Beer Geek Stats
From:
La Conner Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
ABV:
Not listed
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.62 | pDev: 8.23%
Reviews:
2
Ratings:
2
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 04, 2010
Added:
Feb 16, 2003
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of Impfan
Reviewed by Impfan from Washington

5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I sampled some 5 year old stuff at the LaConner, Wa. brewery. To say this brew was brandylike, would be an understatement. The head was minimal, and dissipated quickly, sort of mirroring my state of being, by the end of glass number two. There was a reason for this...this barleywine clocked in at 14% alcohol! It was incredibly complex, featuring notes of figs, dates, raisins, apricots, and plums, all beautifully underpinned by a subtle woodiness. The body was absolutely syrupy and voluptuous, and the overall impression was of an oaky long aged fruit flavored cognac. The aftertaste was incredibly long, and totally mouth-coating. I've never tasted a barleywine quite like this one (and I don't say this just because I know the brewmaster!) Amazing nectar!!!
Jan 04, 2010
Photo of 49degrees
Reviewed by 49degrees from Canada (BC)

4.23/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I've only recently started tackling the Barley Wine style of beer within the past 6 months and I'd have to say it’s a style that will likely catch a good number of people off guard if they’re not expecting such a robust attack on the senses. In the case of La Conner's offering, something I've just found for the first time at retail a mere week ago, it appears to be a near perfect rendition of the style.

It pours a deep brown color with extensive amber hues on the canvas. Like most Barley Wines, the head is none existent as is a collar and glass lacing.

The intensely sweet aroma is complete with hints of fruit, molasses, brown sugar and a slightly hoppy kick in the bouquet,

Flavor wise, this is an intensely powerful beer, very sweet yet the bitter slap to the palette really excites the taste buds. The first few sips of this brew kind of threw me for a loop. But after finishing off the first half of the 12oz bottle, it became strikingly apparent that this brew was a true Barley Wine contender worthy of considerable notice. Sweet, syrupy, brown sugar tones complete with molasses, and almost orange sorbet complexity, hints of vanilla, citrus fruit sharpness and a very interesting blend of malt and hops that makes this both sweet and sour at the same time. There's a lot going on in this beer and it’s all very good.

The more I drink this beer, the more I really, really like it. The ABV is not listed on the bottle nor could I track any information about this beer down on the Net while tasting and reviewing it, it definitely falls into the "warming" category, and I'd guess it would easily sit in the 8+% ABV ranking as far as high octane would go.

I've only run across this barley wine once within the Pacific Northwest. Because the brewery doesn't list this brew on it's website, I'm not entirely sure whether it’s a limited edition specialty, or soon to become a widely distributed and regularly stocked style. Regardless of the marketing potential of the beer, if you're a Barley Wine fan, or want to check something with some considerable character out for the very first time, be sure to give this one your full attention. It's very very good.

[ STATS:>> SERVING: 12 oz. Bottle / ABV: unlisted / PRICE: $1.79 USD ]
Feb 16, 2003
Olde Curmudgeon from La Conner Brewing Company
Beer rating: 4.62 out of 5 with 2 ratings