Bender's Barleywine
Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

Exceptional barleywine. A little lite and young which provides a more pronounced alcohol feel. Great and will only get better with age.

 

 

 

 

 

Pour is transparent caramel copper with a tight tan head. Nose is doughy biscuit, light metal, caramel malt, very sweet, and a bit fusel. Flavor is the same, overly sweet, light metal taste, carmel, green apple, a bit of bitter herbal tea hop. Moderate bitterness through the finish, fuller body and assertive carb with a fairly dry finish.

 

This offering was a touch light for a barleywine style beer. All the flavors are present but nothing really jumps out. There appears to be sweet bourbon notes on the finish but there is no indication that this offering was barrel-aged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden. Pours slightly hazy copper orange with a half finger tall white head, quickly dissipating down to a light film, leaving very little if any lace on the glass.

Smells of cereal malt, mildly toasted bread, caramel, toffee, bit of fruitiness and some light booze. Taste is mainly the sweetness and toasty gains up front slowly being joined by the light fruitiness, some pine resin and a bit more booze than in the nose. Smooth, sweet feel with a bit of chewiness and booze burn at the end of each sip.

Overall a pretty solid barleywine. It has all of the flavors I would expect it to have and the booze is not too strong. Worth a shot if you are into the style.