Farley
Pizza Port Bressi Ranch

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From:
Pizza Port Bressi Ranch
 
California, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
13%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.33 | pDev: 8.55%
Reviews:
12
Ratings:
23
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 23, 2019
Added:
Dec 05, 2009
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.63/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Had this for the first time back when barleywines weren't all the rage. And even what popularity they had back at the Toronado Barleywine Festival, 2010, it seemed the American subgenre had all the juice. How times have changed.

Dark brown pour, 1/5" level of lighter beige color head that fizzes down to a miniscule ring. Body is thicker than your average barleywine, like this was almost a stout barleywine blend. Aroma was boozy, slightly hoppy, the combination of abv and bourbon seem like this was fresh as can be all around.

Taste thankfully was not as hot, still big, still powerful, but not as frightening when you sip and respect its power. The bourbon is big, there are some dark fruit bitter notes along with the hoppiness, seems like we're in 100ibu territory on this one. More of the vanilla and oak character comes out 1/2 way down, helping the mouth feel and moving beyond the massiveness of the beer. A little bit of caramel to round it all out. Good, but couldn't help thinking that this was the rare beer I'd like to lay down for a little bit and see if it rounds itself out even more.
Jan 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.5 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

Jan 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by t0rin0 from California

Dec 10, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by DJButters from California

Jun 15, 2012
Photo of ehammond1
Reviewed by ehammond1

4.55/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
On Tap

Pizza Port
Carlsbad, CA

Very dark brown in color, nearly black with a fairly large dark brown head that lasts and lasts. This leaves irregular, circular lines of lace down the glass. This is a gorgeous barleywine, and has surprising cling for such a high ABV barrel-aged beer.

The aroma is a wonderfully rich combination of chocolate, vanilla, caramel, toffee, and oak. This is incredible.

The flavor is even better, with the rich toffee, caramel, vanilla, earth, and wood flavors at the forefront, with a long, lingering dark chocolate finish that continues long after the swallow. The 13% ABV is hidden remarkably well.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

This is one of the finest beers I've had in quite some time. This ranks alongside Abacus, though King Henry is just slightly better.
May 08, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by nanobrew from California

Apr 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by MkUltra84 from California

Feb 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by dsgolovin from California

Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by leschkie from California

Feb 18, 2012
Photo of MrFootstones
Reviewed by MrFootstones from California

4.82/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours looking much like an imperial stout. Deep brown, almost black with a lasting mocha head.

Deep spicy wood notes, chocolaty notes of oxidation, really all there is to it, but I'm tellin ya, it's straight up astounding.

Flavor goes right along with the aroma: delightfully spicy oak, a reserved sweetness, but with a drying, tannic finish. Barrel is heavy in spicy oak and tannins, but no real booziness. Heavy chocolaty oxidation, but not enough to be unpleasant. This is a phenomenal beer.

Mouthfeel is full and rich, but the tannins really keep everything in check. Spot on, yet again.

One of the best barleywines I have ever had. Killer.
Feb 18, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by John11486 from California

Feb 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

Feb 09, 2012
Photo of corby112
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania

3.16/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
Draft at Toronado San Diego.

Pours a dark chocolate brown color that's almost black with a one finger off white head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Spotty lacing left behind.

The aroma is dominated by a strong boozy barrel character. Lots of bourbon sweetness overpowering the other notes along with some toasted oak and vanilla.  After it warms up a bit there is some spice and a subtle roasted, earthy malt character.

Medium bodied with a very strong barrel presence that dominates the flavor.  Really hot and boozy with a shit ton of bourbon that overpowers almost everything else.  Some dry, toasted oak and faint vanilla but again, the bourbon is too strong overtaking all of the other elements.  After it warms up a bit there is a faint malt presence but the barrel aging has obliterated the base beer.  The bourbon flavor is good but this beer is very one dimensional and too hot for my liking.
Jan 28, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by NickMunford from Wyoming

Jan 22, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by codynevels from California

Nov 16, 2011
Photo of MrHirschybar
Reviewed by MrHirschybar from California

4.29/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
14th taster at Port's Barrel Blast

A - Murky dark brown with a little mocha head that rimmed the glass - thinking the barrel definitely darkened up the barley wine base or they were at the end of the barrel here too

S - Fruity and dark chocolate notes with vanilla - dark fruits and a note of the bourbon/alcohol and definite sweetness

T - Dark fruits, chocolate, bourbon, alcohol finish, more to it than that but couldn't put a solid to it - fairly complex with some sugary notes to it

M - nice feel to it, rich but not overly so, not much carbonation or lingering coating - a little beat of warming heat, lingering dark fruits with a light vanilla sensation mingled with the sweetness on the back end

D - Very nice, wish I'd found this early on when I could detect more subtle notes. Highly recommend the Barrel Aged offerings from Pizza Port - they seem to be drinking great right now. Farley and Infamous had some devout followers from the seemingly local set of people highly recommending them...
Jan 24, 2011
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Strong Ale

A: The pour is not the most photogenic and is a murky dark brown color with a moderate tan head. Have to give it a 4, though, to get my score where I want it (overall).

S: Oh boy, this is what I expect from a barrel aged barleywine. Lots of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, and bourbon. A bit of chocolate to it as well.

T: Very sweet with lots of caramel and brown sugar. The bourbon and vanilla are quite prominent as well and add more richness to the beer. A bit of a dark fruit note and some more oak and vanilla for good measure.

M: The body is medium to full with a smooth, moderate level of carbonation.

D: I had no problem drinking plenty of this even though it is 13%. This is some dangerous stuff.
Dec 04, 2010
Photo of 4000qtrap
Reviewed by 4000qtrap from Missouri

4.54/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Source/Serving: Draft

Smell: Black cherry, sweet chocolate, strong raisins/prunes with underlying oak. No noticeable alcohol.

Taste: Awesome! Chocolate, cherries, noticeable alcohol and quite raisiny. Underlying burnt smoky and leather goodness. Finish is quite dry, a little herbal but nicely woody and pruney.

Notes: I'd really like to try this beer side by side with one of my favorites from Port, Older Viscocity. This doesn't quite have the alcohol burn of OV, especially in the finish but they are definitely 'related'.
May 04, 2010
Photo of largadeer
Reviewed by largadeer from California

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Draft at Toronado. Dark brown body topped by a light tan head that retains well. Smells strongly of raw malt at first, crystal and chocolate; it's like walking into a homebrew shop. As the beer breathes a bit I get aromas of caramel, whole grain toast and strong but nicely balanced bourbon barrel. Similar flavors appear on the palate; it's remarkably grainy and malty up-front, a bit like cereal or fresh whole grain bread. Mid-palate reveals flavors of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, dark fruit and oak. Carbonation is at an upper-medium level. Finishes with light tannins, some boozy heat and caramel sweetness. I had heard from San Diego BAs that this was good, and it didn't disappoint. Hope to find this again some time.
Feb 22, 2010
Photo of nickd717
Reviewed by nickd717 from California

4.35/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Toronado barleywine fest 2010. This one had to be in my top 3 or 4 of the fest.

Dark brown in color with a lasting tan head.

Great complex aroma with caramel, oak, vanilla, dark fruits, and bourbon. Really a lot going on there.

Same with the flavor. Sweet caramel malts and toffee along with amazing -bal aging flavors of wood, vanilla, and bourbon. Nice fruity note as well, maybe some raisins and dates. Not too bourbony, although the bourbon does assert itself.

Medium-full body and a very smooth mouthfeel, just a tiny bit of booziness.

The overall awesomeness of this beer makes it highly drinkable. Really an excellent barleywine.
Feb 17, 2010
Farley from Pizza Port Bressi Ranch
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 23 ratings