Milly's TNT Barleywine
Stark Brewing Company

Handbottle provided as an extra from brewandbbq during my most recent trade, received in the mail today and drank only a couple hours later, bottle looked about six ounces to me, and yes I do like barrel aged barleywines, thanks!

Poured into my Chimay goblet with a deep brown murky color that hints of dark red in it, the head was about 1/2 inch and a creamy vanilla color, left small hints of lacing on the glass

Smell was bourbon right away, could also get some chocolate and raisin aromas, this was a malty one and smelled quite boozy as well, could tell this was going to be full of sugar and whiskey

Taste would have been fairly normal for a bourbon barrel aged barley wine, but it had a seriously spicy aftertaste, could not figure it out, crazy herbs or something going on in the finish, got large tastes of bourbon at first, along with a hint of sourness, lots of cocoa and other very sweet malts, the caramel flavor added more complexity, also tasted some fig and prunes towards the end, this one took me forever to drink, but since I got to see it fully warm, I tasted some of these things mentioned that I probably would not have if I powered it down somewhat cool

Extremely small amount of carbonation and the body was fairly thick, unfortunately the taste went away pretty quickly

Could not drink too much more of this, I think this small bottle was surely enough, the alcohol was not hidden well and it was super heavy stuff, eleven percent alcohol could definitely catch up to me after a while, not the most drinkable beer out there but most barleywines are not

I had never heard of Milly's Tavern before, so this was a nice surprise, I do not know if they bottle any beer or just serve it on tap and allow growlers and such, glad to try a beer I would not find anywhere else, probably will never get to drink this again, but I am not too worried about it, worth trying if you are in New Hampshire and are a fan of barleywines or barrel aged beers

This was brewed by Mike at Millys last December (2004) and has been sitting for a year, after dry hopping and aging on white oak.

A 12oz (or so..) snifter was filled for my quaffing pleasure by the lovely Sophie at the Brewpub. Has a deep chestnut color, with ruby highlights at the edges. 'Twas clear within, and the head was a wispy, thin layer of tan bubbles. Lacing was decent, at best. Sweet malty notes emanate from within, with caramelly aspects plus some citrus. Body was a solid medium, and nicely smooth was the passage o'er the palate.

Sweetness inundates the tongue, with caramel, toffee touches plus a smidge of a cloying, soy-sauce like touch, though not dominant or detracting. Oaky notes show themselves as well. Dark fruit aspects float about, with a piney, hoppy character asserting itself later in the flavor profile. Cascades are not overly strong, yet make a bold statement despite the big presence of the malty sweetness. More like an English-style barley than an American version. Perhaps the year of aging has given the malt more oomph and cut the edge off the hops. A nice warmer on a cold winters night!

Zum Wohl!!

overall: 4.15
appearance: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

867

10 oz glass for $4.25.
Presented hazy mahogony with nill head and cold.
Minimal carbonation.
Husky, dry malt in the nose with warming alcohol.
Subdued hopping with mild raisins, hints of fig and a bit roasty.
Body medium and lightly chewy with a mellow dryness.
A solid malt profile leads the way on the pallet, followed by warming alcohol and light roast.
As it warms, the brew reveals some complexities including dark fruits, toffee, and a bits of grain.
Bitterness in check, not overdone, and hopping rates similar to an english version or an old ale.
Finishes warm and dry, leaving fairly quick.