Grateful Dog | Napa Smith Brewery

3/5  rDev -18%

4.62/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Phenomenal darker barleywine. Sweet, but not cloyingly so, as it dries on the finish maintaining a savory/succulent taste without much bitterness.

146 characters

4/5  rDev +9.3%

3/5  rDev -18%

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

3/5  rDev -18%

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

3.36/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This is not your normal barelywine. The body is much lighter (maybe from the use of grapes) but it is still quite good. It is sweet but not as syrupy as most barelywines. In pretty sure this is a one off brew and it's worth a try if you are in the area
Had this at the brewpub in napa which is a very cool place if you are ever in the area.

 340 characters

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

3.26/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Beachwood Brewing

Mahogany in color with an off-white head. Nose starts off a touch metallic, but lots of wood and vanilla follow. A bit of sweet malt and grape with a bit of cola and even root beer to it. Flavor is a touch roasty and astringent. Wood and vanilla are present. Sweet grapes with the same root beer note that existed on the nose. A hint of chocolate, maybe some other fruit notes, but just sort of jumbled and not really all that great.

 462 characters

3.25/5  rDev -11.2%

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

4/5  rDev +9.3%

3.53/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At Slater's 50/50. They have quite a selection.

A - Dark brown, reddish hue, fairly clear. Huge head, thick, near white, creamy.

S - Light malt, light floral, light spicy.

T - Nice tight center malt, backed by lots of hops and a little spice.

M - Med body, fair carbonation, good balance.

D - Fun to try.

 309 characters

4/5  rDev +9.3%

4/5  rDev +9.3%

4/5  rDev +9.3%

3.68/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from tap at favorite beer bar in WV
dark almost maple syrup color with a small off white head that stuck to the sides of the glass lacing nicely.
stiff maltiness in the nose intermixing with hops but malts dominated.
Plummy rasiins
taste was big...a bit boozy knowing you had a bigger beer. Good balance of hops and malt though. Nice bitterness knowing its an American style barleywine for sure

 401 characters

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%

3.16/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Tried on tap at The Refuge in San Carlos, CA. Tulip glass. Writing based on 3-week-old notes.

A: Super dark brown, with creamy off-white head.

S: Tree sap... Like a living tree, rather than an ages barrel. Sweet. Not too aromatic.

T: Sweet and woody. Syrupy, but not in a bad way. Mild cherry/fruit flavors. Clean finish. Not boozy at all.

M: Surprisingly, fairly refreshing. Medium-heavy bodied. Good level of acidity.

O: OK. Would potentially have again in a small quantity.

 481 characters

3.25/5  rDev -11.2%

3.75/5  rDev +2.5%

4.65/5  rDev +27%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - A beautiful not quite opaque black/brown with auburn hues around the outside. A nice tan lace head remains throughout the sipping.

S - Coffee, toffee, butterscotch, figs, oak, vanilla, cardamom, alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, honeysuckle, potato, spice.

T - Traditional barleywine profile gives way to a vibrant acidity and a mellow oakiness that tames the palette. Vanilla, bourbon, red wine, hazelnut, slight citrus hop, caramel, clovey spice, apple. Starts off malty, becomes bright, and then mellows out for a subtle but pleasant dry finish. High ABV but minus any real burn. A great take on the style!

M - Smooth mouth feel and round carbonation are accentuated by the slight acidity in the middle.

O - As a longtime fan of the style, I'm pretty excited about this one! It retains its Barleywine-ness, but branches out into new exciting territory. Bravo Napa Smith!

 876 characters