Shenandoah Millenium Ale / Sneaky Pete's Barleywine
Shenandoah Brewing Co.

 

10/11/2004. I wish I could go back and taste this one again, but sadly can't. Pours a brown-reddish color, the head quickly fades to nothing. The aroma is alcoholic, fruity with some spiciness. Flavor consists of a strong dark fruit character, tangy and tart with a definite alcoholic presence with some caramel and maltiness. Very unique and definitely a sipper. I think I'd have much more of an appreciation for this now than I did when I first had it.

Might be the wrong one - the brewery had this stored for $30 a six-pack and they let me try one. It was a dark copper color with ruby tints with almost no head whatsoever. A strong, spicy smell like caramel/honey (something sweet) and liquor, like bourbon or brandy. Minor hops but really a sugary, syrupy smell. There had to be some type of liquor in this when I tasted it, because it reminded me either of bourbon. There is spicy edge in this full-bodied beer in the middle, but it is rounded out with some caramel syrup (mabye honey again) for a smooth finish. Not too much in character though, and not hoppy at all. A little thick and somplistic in the barleywine department, and for the price I wouldn't BUY one (if they give me another free sample it is down the hatch no questions asked).

Poured it into the glass and noticed that it had practically no head. The color was a mahogany type hue.

Smells of sweet malt and grainy rye. The juniper took me awhile to find, but it's in there. There is also a slight yeasty flavor to the beer. Also, I find some floral, candy like sweetness in there. The finish reminds me of Worchestershire sauce with a little hops, but not really in a bad way. Late into the finish, I find an almost beef jerky like

The beer has a very slight carbonation; and a creamy, sinewy body.

Taste is of malt and a considerable amount of rye. A little juniper here and there and low hops. A very strange barley wine indeed. Late into the finish, I find an almost beef jerky like flavor lurking.

Poured a bottle of this ale into a pint glass at Dr. Dremo's, while staying in DC during dirtylou and my pilgrimmage to Dogfish Head.

Contract brewed for Dr. Dremo's. Only served there. Served chilled in a pint glass.

Appearance: Clear copper color topped by a creamy offwhite head. A head on a barleywine? Must be really young. Head dissipates to a film, but leaves no lacing.

Smell: Very prominent maple and caramel aromas with hints of brandy. No hops that I can detect, certainly none with high alpha content anyways.

Taste: Strong caramel flavor slowly giving way to a mild bitterness/sourness. Might be from hops, could be a malt of unknown provenance. Not a very complex flavor, especially in comparison to other barleywines I've head.

Mouthfeel: Thick and syrupy, yet somehow vaguely light in character.

Drinkability: A wee bit cloying and lacking in complexity. They promised smooth, and they delivered on that account, but it's less like a barleywine and more like a drinkable malt likka. I'll skip this one.

This brew pours a very small head of mostly disappearing bubbles that left very little lacing. It had a nice hazy brown body and a strong aroma of alcohol. Its flavor also showed the alcohol and some spicey notes. It was a decent brew, but one you have to get used to.