Old Curmudgeon Barley Wine
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

 

 

A lovely barley wine that is very full, rich, and creamy - offered at the Cincinnati Fountain Square RBRB. This great brew starts with a dark bronze body, hazy, and topped with goodly amounts of tan foam that lace coats the glass throughout the drink.

The nose is full of rich caramel malt and fruit notes. The flavor is incredibly sweet with the malt but a bit over the top, but such a luscious flavor it is - even beer-hating wifey liked it "'cause it don't taste like beer." I'd liken it a bit to drinking honey as the thick sweetness is very rich. There is just enough balance to keep it from being sickeningly sweet, but make no mistake - this is one sweet and highly alcoholic brew. RBRB limits each pour to a single 11 ounce snifter and our waiter told us they are advised to watch that no customer gets beyond 2 or 3 of these servings.

The feel is full, creamy, and ultra smooth; surprisingly, despite my other descriptives here, it is not syrupy. Limited drinkability due to the richness and high ABV.