Anniversary Barley Wine Ale | Uinta Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Uinta Brewing Company
Utah, United States
uintabrewing.com
Style: American Barleywine
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.40%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Rich and complex, this all malt barley wine exhibits hints of dried fruits, toffee and caramel balanced by an abundance of American hops.
72 IBU
Added by BeerAdvocate on 05-25-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 905 | Reviews: 420
Reviews by darthvohn:
More User Reviews:
4.28/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This brew pours a beautiful deep red with no head. A sweet smell emanates of chicory and raisins, and the taste matches, with a dry, hoppy flavor that coats the mouth and lingers. The hoppiness and heat of the alcohol takes over the mouthfeel with a bit of boldness. Nice for savoring, but it doesn't have the advantage of other barleywines in having different tones and flavors open up as the brew adjusts to room temperature. Thus, you get a straightforward brew instead of one that changes.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This brew pours a beautiful deep red with no head. A sweet smell emanates of chicory and raisins, and the taste matches, with a dry, hoppy flavor that coats the mouth and lingers. The hoppiness and heat of the alcohol takes over the mouthfeel with a bit of boldness. Nice for savoring, but it doesn't have the advantage of other barleywines in having different tones and flavors open up as the brew adjusts to room temperature. Thus, you get a straightforward brew instead of one that changes.
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4/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:
Happy 15 years, guys; only the best for the next 15! Oh, a generously hopped Barleywine ... something to sink our teeth into.
Bright clarity shows a rich-looking mahogany color, latte foam head comes and leaves with a sticky lace. Very aromatic with grapefruit zest, spearmint and tobacco from the hops, and a showing of caramel, figs and cookie dough from the malt and yeast. Smooth and creamy with a semi-slick medium to full body. Hops come in throwing bitterness around; lots of citric rind and tobacco bitterness that just does not want to shake off of the taste buds. Underneath sits the malt backbone, which has a lot of hop weight pressing down on it, but the foundation is sound enough to see this beer through. Hint of caramel and toasted bread in the middle is mostly squashed by the hops. Alcohol chimes in with a warmth and fresh fig fruitiness. Finishes with some maltiness, though the hops are still going strong even in the aftertaste.
Damn, this beer is bitter ... lovely, but bitter. Hopheads should rally to this beer. Cellaring should not even be a factor here as it is so delicious in its fresh form. Love the hops now.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Review from BeerAdvocate magazine Vol. II Issue XI:
Happy 15 years, guys; only the best for the next 15! Oh, a generously hopped Barleywine ... something to sink our teeth into.
Bright clarity shows a rich-looking mahogany color, latte foam head comes and leaves with a sticky lace. Very aromatic with grapefruit zest, spearmint and tobacco from the hops, and a showing of caramel, figs and cookie dough from the malt and yeast. Smooth and creamy with a semi-slick medium to full body. Hops come in throwing bitterness around; lots of citric rind and tobacco bitterness that just does not want to shake off of the taste buds. Underneath sits the malt backbone, which has a lot of hop weight pressing down on it, but the foundation is sound enough to see this beer through. Hint of caramel and toasted bread in the middle is mostly squashed by the hops. Alcohol chimes in with a warmth and fresh fig fruitiness. Finishes with some maltiness, though the hops are still going strong even in the aftertaste.
Damn, this beer is bitter ... lovely, but bitter. Hopheads should rally to this beer. Cellaring should not even be a factor here as it is so delicious in its fresh form. Love the hops now.
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3.98/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12th edition, tasted a couple weeks back. Review from written notes.
Clear carnet body with a dense whipped khaki head. Coats the glass in foamy lace. A fair amount of carbonation rises to the surface.
Caramely, sweet aroma. Touch of raw sugar. Some piney hops to round it otu.
Taste is malt laden throughout. Dinner roll malts and some tobacco. Really no sweetness at all. Finish has an earthy and resin hop bitterness to it, but not overwhelming. No alcohol shows at all.
Mouthfel is medium. Very low carbonation. Coats the mouth well and the flavor lingers for a while.
A nice twist on the barleywine style for me with its lack of sweetness. Pretty good stuff.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12th edition, tasted a couple weeks back. Review from written notes.
Clear carnet body with a dense whipped khaki head. Coats the glass in foamy lace. A fair amount of carbonation rises to the surface.
Caramely, sweet aroma. Touch of raw sugar. Some piney hops to round it otu.
Taste is malt laden throughout. Dinner roll malts and some tobacco. Really no sweetness at all. Finish has an earthy and resin hop bitterness to it, but not overwhelming. No alcohol shows at all.
Mouthfel is medium. Very low carbonation. Coats the mouth well and the flavor lingers for a while.
A nice twist on the barleywine style for me with its lack of sweetness. Pretty good stuff.
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3.99/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
In a snifter this beer was a dark brown, kind of like mahogany. There was a rim of head at the periphery of the glass. Some scant lace.
A caramel aroma. Some dark fruit. Resiny hops.
Caramel taste. Raisins. Hops late.
On the milder side, but still a tasty barleywine. Worth a try.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
In a snifter this beer was a dark brown, kind of like mahogany. There was a rim of head at the periphery of the glass. Some scant lace.
A caramel aroma. Some dark fruit. Resiny hops.
Caramel taste. Raisins. Hops late.
On the milder side, but still a tasty barleywine. Worth a try.
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2.58/5 rDev -33%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12 oz bottle. 15th anniversary, bottled on 7/21/08. Pours a murky amber brown with a creamy frothy light tan head that retains well and laces the glass.
The aroma is sweet cola, candy sugar, fruits, and some alcohol.
The flavor is some sweet malts and fruits with a dirty earthy mineral background leading to a harsh alcoholic bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with slightly sharp carbonation.
Overall, I didn't really care for the flavors in this - it's too alcoholic and muddled.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
12 oz bottle. 15th anniversary, bottled on 7/21/08. Pours a murky amber brown with a creamy frothy light tan head that retains well and laces the glass.
The aroma is sweet cola, candy sugar, fruits, and some alcohol.
The flavor is some sweet malts and fruits with a dirty earthy mineral background leading to a harsh alcoholic bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with slightly sharp carbonation.
Overall, I didn't really care for the flavors in this - it's too alcoholic and muddled.
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4.2/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A --- Deep red with nice amount of foam
S --- Malts, little hops and some sweetness
T --- Excellent blend of hops and malts with alcohol, but not over the top. Very smooth for such a strong beer.
M --- Nice body, good carbonation and smooth
O --- Excellent! I will add this to my Top 10 Barleywine Beers to get every year. Uinta Beers have just started to hit the greater Sacramento area and they are very good. I look forward to enjoying more.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A --- Deep red with nice amount of foam
S --- Malts, little hops and some sweetness
T --- Excellent blend of hops and malts with alcohol, but not over the top. Very smooth for such a strong beer.
M --- Nice body, good carbonation and smooth
O --- Excellent! I will add this to my Top 10 Barleywine Beers to get every year. Uinta Beers have just started to hit the greater Sacramento area and they are very good. I look forward to enjoying more.
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4.2/5 rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This is the XVI, obtained in an Ogden State store while visiting here in August. It's a very pretty beer; deep amber covered with a thick head. The smell is wonderful, rich and malty with some caramel notes. There are slight hints of sweetness that may overwhelm. The first taste is excellent, well balanced and not too heavy. The conditioning is very good. Just a bit of alcohol in the lingering finish. No cloying flavors at all. This seems more drinakable than most barleywines but I'd've liked a better balanced finish.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This is the XVI, obtained in an Ogden State store while visiting here in August. It's a very pretty beer; deep amber covered with a thick head. The smell is wonderful, rich and malty with some caramel notes. There are slight hints of sweetness that may overwhelm. The first taste is excellent, well balanced and not too heavy. The conditioning is very good. Just a bit of alcohol in the lingering finish. No cloying flavors at all. This seems more drinakable than most barleywines but I'd've liked a better balanced finish.
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4.3/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is their XV (Fifteenth) Anniversary edition at 10.4% ABV bottled on "8/29/08", so this little number (12 ounceer) has been in the bottle for a total of about 3 weeks! Yikes, FRESH barley wine, not sure how I should feel about that...anyway lightly cooled and into a tulip glass, this one pours a rich, glowing dark, dark shade of honey amber, clear, equally thick and rich dark tan head, that leaves plenty of coating and scattered lace. Nose of gobs of malt, bready sweetness and resiny hops in the rear. First impression of this fresh and young brew is "wow" big and bold, smooth on the tongue, goes down easy. Big smooth malts, nicely balanced by more resinous hops on the back of the mouth. This one is drinking great right now and I would assume it will only improve with some time in the bottle. My first try of any of the Uinta line (how does one pronounce that anyway?) which have just made on shore in the NYC area.I'm impressed, well worth a try now or in a few months on one of those cold winter nights.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This is their XV (Fifteenth) Anniversary edition at 10.4% ABV bottled on "8/29/08", so this little number (12 ounceer) has been in the bottle for a total of about 3 weeks! Yikes, FRESH barley wine, not sure how I should feel about that...anyway lightly cooled and into a tulip glass, this one pours a rich, glowing dark, dark shade of honey amber, clear, equally thick and rich dark tan head, that leaves plenty of coating and scattered lace. Nose of gobs of malt, bready sweetness and resiny hops in the rear. First impression of this fresh and young brew is "wow" big and bold, smooth on the tongue, goes down easy. Big smooth malts, nicely balanced by more resinous hops on the back of the mouth. This one is drinking great right now and I would assume it will only improve with some time in the bottle. My first try of any of the Uinta line (how does one pronounce that anyway?) which have just made on shore in the NYC area.I'm impressed, well worth a try now or in a few months on one of those cold winter nights.
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3.26/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: dark brown, high carbonation, clear, huge inch and a half head
Smell: caramel, hops, pineapple, and citrus
Taste: caramel, hops which is the dominant flavor, pineapple, sugarcane, and a coffee finish
Mouthfeel: bitter throughout with a little softening and sweetening towards the end. Medium body with moderate carbonation.
Drinkability: This one is not a bad beer, but I have had way more complex in the style. It struck me as a bit on the hoppy side. I think one is enough for me.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: dark brown, high carbonation, clear, huge inch and a half head
Smell: caramel, hops, pineapple, and citrus
Taste: caramel, hops which is the dominant flavor, pineapple, sugarcane, and a coffee finish
Mouthfeel: bitter throughout with a little softening and sweetening towards the end. Medium body with moderate carbonation.
Drinkability: This one is not a bad beer, but I have had way more complex in the style. It struck me as a bit on the hoppy side. I think one is enough for me.
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3.86/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Seventeenth Anniversary bottled 5/19/11. Plenty of dark fruit. Aged well.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Seventeenth Anniversary bottled 5/19/11. Plenty of dark fruit. Aged well.
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4.5/5 rDev +16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Brilliant mahogany, ½” off-white to tan foam cap S: rich and malty with grassy hops T: malty sweet with traces of cola and root beer but well balanced by the hop bitterness, alcohol on the finish F: Creamy and chewy, medium to medium low carbonation. O: A big bold beer with a good blend of sweet and bitter.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Brilliant mahogany, ½” off-white to tan foam cap S: rich and malty with grassy hops T: malty sweet with traces of cola and root beer but well balanced by the hop bitterness, alcohol on the finish F: Creamy and chewy, medium to medium low carbonation. O: A big bold beer with a good blend of sweet and bitter.
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Anniversary Barley Wine Ale from Uinta Brewing Company
3.85
out of 5
based on 905 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Glass Used: Snifter
Appearance: A very deep mahogany with a thick thumb's thick sugar cookie colored head. Light has some trouble passing through but it does, around the edges and the bottom of the glass. Excellent lacing.
Smell: Perfumey Meyer lemon, pine, hard candy sweetness, malt, with hints of leather.
Taste: Gobs of malt and sweet floral lemon, some dark fruits and hops. A sharp bitterness lingers well after the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium body and carbonation. Thick;coats the mouth and tongue.
Overall: A malty and perfumey lemon-pine American barleywine that's enjoyable to the end. Worth a try for you ABW fans.
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