Joybring Barleywine
Little Apple Brewing Company

Aroma: Raisins! Some citric hops offset it a bit, but strong raisin nose.

Appearance: Deep bruised brown/purple snifter with a thin collar of white that left a few tide marks.

Flavor: Raisins, rum, brown sugar, alcohol. Take those four in equal measure and stir.

Mouthfeel: Thick body, smooth texture, a bit oily, which was odd given the style.

Overall Impression: Good Barleywine, but not great. It did cut the Kansas chill.

11 oz. served in a brandy snifter.

Deep dark red and brown, showing burgandy-like traits. Ring of froth around the top, but I wouldn't expect much head with a high ABV brew like this.

Super sweet caramel, white raisins, alcohol, pine in the nose.

Slick and smooth with a bold warming action to the gut. If they made a pine candy, this beer is what it would taste like. Caramel and round diacetyl notes are nice and groovy. Big alcohol bite and spiciness in the finish, matches with a healthy dose of alpha oils.

While listed as 10% on the site, my server told me it was 13% ABV. Either way it was dammed good. I wish I thought I could drink a half gallon in a week, I would have got a growler for sure.

Dense, creamy vanilla white head settles into a tight ring that manages loose lacing. Medium caramel malt dominates the aroma, w/ secondary hints of toasty Munich and biscuit. Ghostly piney hops with an herbal tinge. Fairly prosaic in aroma. Brief snap of candyish sweetness hits the palate at first, then is superceded by moderate hop bitterness and crusty breadiness. Trace diacetyl adds token richness. Overly attenuated w/ a thinnish, dry mouthfeel. This, however, adds a dangerous crisp feel and lightness to this potent brew. Slightly astringent piney hop flavor. Finishes w/ a brief resurgence of candyish sweetness, but otherwise dry and clean. Although Joybring Barleywine lacks overall depth of character when compared to the greats, its main strength is its deceiving lightness on the palate.