Smooth Criminal
The Bruery

Smooth CriminalSmooth Criminal
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From:
The Bruery
 
California, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
15%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.05 | pDev: 9.38%
Reviews:
26
Ratings:
283
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 02, 2022
Added:
Feb 02, 2014
Wants:
  22
Gots:
  61
Ever accidentally blend two brews, curse a bit, and then smile when tasting the excellent result? Us too. Smooth Criminal is the splendid result of moving a bit too quickly in the brewhouse. An accidental addition of Saison De Lente to a fermenter full of our Anniversary ale led us to ask, "Anni, are you okay?" She was. Smooth Criminal showcases rich malt, flavorful hops and oaky goodness in a harmoniously unique ale.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Scalawags:
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Rated by Scalawags from Michigan

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

Jul 16, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.42 by EMV from Pennsylvania

May 02, 2022
 
Rated: 3.91 by JamieDuncan from Maryland

Apr 15, 2020
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

4.27/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Well that's how I like to start the week off after a 3 day weekend, with a review of one of my favorite beers in style. Can already tell this is going to be one of those rare positive rate deviations for me.

Pours an earthy leaning dark side of brown color. Very mild 1/6" lighter brown head. The aroma is a nice toffee bourbon meets oak and maris otter almost imperial brown malt notes. Already impressed with the direction here. Not picking up anything in terms of the saison ratio in the blend.

Taste is just delightful, such an English barleywine all the way, good malty goodness accentuated by a hearty but "smooth" bourbon contingent. Right in my wheelhouse. The alcohol is tempered way down, I am absolutely flabbergasted that this is 15% abv. The name is such a great pick too, its so smooth, its almost criminal. This beer beats tf outta King Henry, its not even close. I'm amazed how non hefty and light it is. Just waves of rolo level toffee, caramel, slight impression of chocolate, but not sweet. Love the possible lighter and drier effect the saison part of the blend has on this.
Jan 22, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by Daniellobo from District of Columbia

Feb 04, 2018
Photo of BWood
Reviewed by BWood from California

4.46/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: typical murky red/brown with no head. Not sure if any barleywines ever look that great.

S: quite lovely. Brown sugar and wood. Hints of vanilla.

F: great malt goodness. Nice barrel character. Subtle vanilla hints.

F: having been aged for 3 years this beer is very smooth. The tongue coats and flavor last for well after the sip.

O: great beer. Love how this aged. That typical barley wine bite was filled down.
Oct 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4.44 by CharlesK from Pennsylvania

Sep 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4.09 by Buck_Jones from Michigan

Feb 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by redfox405 from Virginia

Jan 07, 2017
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nat1975 from Indiana

Nov 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by RobinLee from Wisconsin

Aug 15, 2016
 
Rated: 4.31 by kmoen from California

Jun 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.04 by Zekenyce from New Jersey

Jun 16, 2016
 
Rated: 4.21 by erjaq from California

Jun 05, 2016
Photo of nawpnawp
Reviewed by nawpnawp from California

4.35/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2014 bottle opened in 2016.

Pours a hazy light brown with nice carbonation, but very little head. The smell is quite boozy up front, but with notes of raisin and vanilla -- very reminiscent of So Happens It's Tuesday. As the name suggests, the taste is pretty smooth. A lot of the bourbon comes through and is at the forefront. The other notes play a very minor role. There is a sweetness that I expected from the nose that is missing. The taste of booze is masked, but the warmth definitely hits you quickly.

This beer came out quite good. The story of it being an accident is pretty cool. I'm glad I have extra bottles of this to try at a later date.
May 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.64 by 3-Ball from Georgia

Apr 19, 2016
 
Rated: 3.89 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Apr 05, 2016
 
Rated: 3.86 by Knapp85 from Pennsylvania

Apr 05, 2016
Photo of jzeilinger
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Updated review on 8-4-23
2014 Vintage w/nine glorious years of cellaring.

A - Initial pour looks like raison colored river sludge but eventually clears as the beer warms and presents a nice deep garnet hue with micro-thin lacing.

S - Molasses, brown sugar, Bourbon, vanilla, oak, and toasted caramel.

T - Big Bourbon alcohol presence along with oak, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, caramel, and vanilla. Ends with some underlying subtle fruity tartness like a Saison.

M - Light syrupy, velvety body that leaves a sticky sugary residue on the lips and warming in the back of the throat.

O - This aged gracefully and quite frankly, enjoying it more now with nine years on it.

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A - Clear burgundy pour with thin lacing, no carbonation.

S - Maple, brown sugar, and molasses.

T - Maple, toasted brown sugar, molasses, and alcohol effervescence.

M - Thick, viscous, velvet-like, smacking sticky.

O - Big maple molasses.
Apr 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.64 by Rothobinide from California

Feb 25, 2016
Smooth Criminal from The Bruery
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 283 ratings