Harvest Ale (Limited Edition) | J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd
Brewed by:
J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd
England, United Kingdom
jwlees.co.uk
Style: British Barleywine
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by Todd on 12-18-2000
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 1,557 | Reviews: 877
4.33/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a small bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip (feels like smaller than a 12 oz?) 2014 edition
L: Cloudy mahogany pour with scant fizzy head. Very modest lacing.
S: Rich... sweet dark sugars, fig, toffee, and molasses.
T/F: Follows the nose. Rich and decadent. Sweet and unbalanced... big time toffee/molasses. This beer is all about the dark fruit (raisin, plum, fig) and darker sugars. Complex.... and this should be more cloying but it goes down super easy. Sticky on the tongue.... not much in the way of hopping on the back end. Low carbonation. More toffee and light spice at the finish.
O: A big over the top English Barleywine. Sweet dessert beer best at room temp. Not one I'd want regularly, but a great change of pace/occasion beer.
769 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a small bottle into a Dogfish Head tulip (feels like smaller than a 12 oz?) 2014 edition
L: Cloudy mahogany pour with scant fizzy head. Very modest lacing.
S: Rich... sweet dark sugars, fig, toffee, and molasses.
T/F: Follows the nose. Rich and decadent. Sweet and unbalanced... big time toffee/molasses. This beer is all about the dark fruit (raisin, plum, fig) and darker sugars. Complex.... and this should be more cloying but it goes down super easy. Sticky on the tongue.... not much in the way of hopping on the back end. Low carbonation. More toffee and light spice at the finish.
O: A big over the top English Barleywine. Sweet dessert beer best at room temp. Not one I'd want regularly, but a great change of pace/occasion beer.
769 characters
4.75/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.28/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
275mL bottle vintage 2012 poured into a snifter at fridge temp 11.5% ABV. The beer pours not completely bright in an orange tinted amber color. The head is light khaki and recedes quickly to a pencil thin ring around the glass. The aroma is significant and complex with caramel, sweet bread, apple and plum. The taste is semisweet caramel with a tobacco like bite that must be fading hops. There is also raisin, stone fruit and earth as you take additional sips. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, lowly carbonated and mostly dry in the finish. There is some residual bitterness, but not enough to wholly balance the sweetness of the malt. Overall, excellent. Fantastic English barleywine. Recommended.
709 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
275mL bottle vintage 2012 poured into a snifter at fridge temp 11.5% ABV. The beer pours not completely bright in an orange tinted amber color. The head is light khaki and recedes quickly to a pencil thin ring around the glass. The aroma is significant and complex with caramel, sweet bread, apple and plum. The taste is semisweet caramel with a tobacco like bite that must be fading hops. There is also raisin, stone fruit and earth as you take additional sips. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, lowly carbonated and mostly dry in the finish. There is some residual bitterness, but not enough to wholly balance the sweetness of the malt. Overall, excellent. Fantastic English barleywine. Recommended.
709 characters
4.69/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2001 Vintage. My son shared a bottle with me while here on vacation. It has been over 2 years since he was here last. Poured into snifters it appears deep dark mahogany in color. Very little head. Small amount of sediment. Aroma is rich molasses, vanilla, figs, raisins and maybe a slight hint of tobacco. Alcohol is there but not strong. Taste follows and reminds me of a hard candy my grandmother made when I was very young (over 50 years ago). Nice smooth mouthfeel to it. I enjoyed this one very much and I have purchased another bottle. I'll save it until he can visit again.
591 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2001 Vintage. My son shared a bottle with me while here on vacation. It has been over 2 years since he was here last. Poured into snifters it appears deep dark mahogany in color. Very little head. Small amount of sediment. Aroma is rich molasses, vanilla, figs, raisins and maybe a slight hint of tobacco. Alcohol is there but not strong. Taste follows and reminds me of a hard candy my grandmother made when I was very young (over 50 years ago). Nice smooth mouthfeel to it. I enjoyed this one very much and I have purchased another bottle. I'll save it until he can visit again.
591 characters
4.54/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 bottle, 9.3 oz., 11.5% ABV.
Poured a rich dark copper color with very minimal white head. Aroma is rich with dark fruits and bourbon qualities. It is very sweet with very little carbonation. This is like drinking a Port. Need to pick up a couple to cellar. Nice Job!
276 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2014 bottle, 9.3 oz., 11.5% ABV.
Poured a rich dark copper color with very minimal white head. Aroma is rich with dark fruits and bourbon qualities. It is very sweet with very little carbonation. This is like drinking a Port. Need to pick up a couple to cellar. Nice Job!
276 characters
4.64/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.34/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the 9.3 oz bottle in a snifter. This 2015 Autumn edition pours a lightly murky
brownish amber with a nice light head of white foam that settles to a thin ring and shows
some spotty lacing. Nose mulled peaches, raisins, light spice, subtle booze, and rich notes
of butterscotch and caramel. Flavors are delicious with a peach and brown sugar blast
that falls into a plump yellow raisin and caramel waterfall. Vanilla and tobacco reign in
the rear and fade into a warming finish. Very nice mouth feel; low carbonation, medium
body, and a delectable candied peach finish with a touch of cherries with warmth.
Excellence indeed.
Cheers
650 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the 9.3 oz bottle in a snifter. This 2015 Autumn edition pours a lightly murky
brownish amber with a nice light head of white foam that settles to a thin ring and shows
some spotty lacing. Nose mulled peaches, raisins, light spice, subtle booze, and rich notes
of butterscotch and caramel. Flavors are delicious with a peach and brown sugar blast
that falls into a plump yellow raisin and caramel waterfall. Vanilla and tobacco reign in
the rear and fade into a warming finish. Very nice mouth feel; low carbonation, medium
body, and a delectable candied peach finish with a touch of cherries with warmth.
Excellence indeed.
Cheers
650 characters
4.57/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.77/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
2002 Vintage
Poured with no head at all. No lacing whatsoever.
I get some dark fruits on the nose.
Tastes of raisins, figs and caramelized sugar. This is insanely good. Need another bottle!
196 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
2002 Vintage
Poured with no head at all. No lacing whatsoever.
I get some dark fruits on the nose.
Tastes of raisins, figs and caramelized sugar. This is insanely good. Need another bottle!
196 characters
4.17/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.5/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
5/5 rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
J.W. Lee you did it again. Another badass barleywine. Back to back I had a 2007 vintage followed by a 2002. In appearance the 2007 was more purpley brown/ruby red. The 2002 was more chocolatey brown. Both had a good amount of carbonation with minimal head but 2007 looked like pop more than beer. The 5 really goes to the 2002 but same beer so it gets a 5. There is also some sediment in both with more sediment present in 2007.
The aroma in 2007 is pure whiskey and tobacco whereas the 2002 I get bourbon barrel, vanilla, chocolate, burnt sugar, and caramel
2007 taste: I get whiskey, tobacco, leather, hay, licorice, caramel, toffee, and some Mary Jane candy.
In 2002 vintage the tobacco, hay, and leather flavors had faded with addition of more vanilla and chocolate flavoring that weren't present in 2007 vintage along with some bourbon
Feel is a bit chewy yet super smooth and creamy. More smooth and creamy in 2002.
Overall a fantastic beer that ages gracefully. My all time favorite barleywines when counting the sherry cask and whisky variants. A brewery that knows how to make a well rounded barleywine for sure. I like the 2002 for the chocolate yet liked 2007 for the tobacco and leather. Almost tastes like 2 different beers. Both could age longer but having it at 10 years followed by 15 was a great experience. Both were super enjoyable and glad I opened them now.
1,400 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
J.W. Lee you did it again. Another badass barleywine. Back to back I had a 2007 vintage followed by a 2002. In appearance the 2007 was more purpley brown/ruby red. The 2002 was more chocolatey brown. Both had a good amount of carbonation with minimal head but 2007 looked like pop more than beer. The 5 really goes to the 2002 but same beer so it gets a 5. There is also some sediment in both with more sediment present in 2007.
The aroma in 2007 is pure whiskey and tobacco whereas the 2002 I get bourbon barrel, vanilla, chocolate, burnt sugar, and caramel
2007 taste: I get whiskey, tobacco, leather, hay, licorice, caramel, toffee, and some Mary Jane candy.
In 2002 vintage the tobacco, hay, and leather flavors had faded with addition of more vanilla and chocolate flavoring that weren't present in 2007 vintage along with some bourbon
Feel is a bit chewy yet super smooth and creamy. More smooth and creamy in 2002.
Overall a fantastic beer that ages gracefully. My all time favorite barleywines when counting the sherry cask and whisky variants. A brewery that knows how to make a well rounded barleywine for sure. I like the 2002 for the chocolate yet liked 2007 for the tobacco and leather. Almost tastes like 2 different beers. Both could age longer but having it at 10 years followed by 15 was a great experience. Both were super enjoyable and glad I opened them now.
1,400 characters
4.3/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11-2012 autumn limited edition vintage. Poured into a tulip glass, a murky dense brown with a brief appearance of a slight sliver of head before dissipating into nothing. The aroma is strong dark fruit, plum, fig, some pear/cider, and leather. The taste hits with a left hook, tobacco and fig up front, with leather and spiced dark fruit right behind it, and some honey notes. About a quarter through, things start to meld. The mouthfeel is dense, carbonation low (but still present). A tasty winter sipper, unless tobacco and leather with some sweetness can't be handled by your palate.
594 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11-2012 autumn limited edition vintage. Poured into a tulip glass, a murky dense brown with a brief appearance of a slight sliver of head before dissipating into nothing. The aroma is strong dark fruit, plum, fig, some pear/cider, and leather. The taste hits with a left hook, tobacco and fig up front, with leather and spiced dark fruit right behind it, and some honey notes. About a quarter through, things start to meld. The mouthfeel is dense, carbonation low (but still present). A tasty winter sipper, unless tobacco and leather with some sweetness can't be handled by your palate.
594 characters
4.3/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Vertical tasting of 2001, 2007, and 2013. Rating is for the 2001, which was the best. Strong smell of raisin, sweet taste, smooth, little taste of alcohol. 2001 poured much darker, brown/red with some sediment. No oxidation present. Very good.
248 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Vertical tasting of 2001, 2007, and 2013. Rating is for the 2001, which was the best. Strong smell of raisin, sweet taste, smooth, little taste of alcohol. 2001 poured much darker, brown/red with some sediment. No oxidation present. Very good.
248 characters
Harvest Ale (Limited Edition) from J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd
Beer rating:
4.24 out of
5 with
1,557 ratings
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