The Fear That Lies Before Us
Oakshire Brewing

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque in the glass with a thin milk chocolate head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark caramel malt, bourbon, dried plums, raisins, maple syrup and dry caramel. Flavor follows with dry caramel malt, bourbon, raisins, dried and fresh plums, maple syrup and light oaky wood; moderately sweet finish with lingering bourbon. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A big, bold English style barleywine that is quite bourbon forward. Good dark dried fruit character and well balanced maple syrup note. I thought this had a year on it, but I see that it has only been six months; it is still hot and perhaps could use a little more aging, but hopefully will not get any more sweet, it is good the way it is. Should have picked up two of these, I think.

 

Growler pour.

Black with dark brown highlights, this beer has no head but lovely legs. The nose is rich, deep, woody, sweet and roasty. Warming, brown sugar, maple, light treacle, a slight integration of soy. Light coffee. Rich oak, tannic, woody, moderate vanilla, charred wood. So damn deep.

The palate opens sweet and full, warming, with a definite treacle and burnt toffee note. Mild dark butterscotch, heavily toasted bread, dark caramel. Definitely sweet, but the wood and alcohol keep it from being cloying. Maple, burnt maple sugar. Sweet, tannic finish with charred vanilla. Fantastic stuff.