Revenge Of The Mariner
Devils Backbone Brewing Company

 

The beer does have a very elaborate foil label and neckerchief but it does not appear to have a bottle date listed.

Appearance: The body is a dark copper and bronze color with hints of light gold in the highlights and golden-brown in the shadows. It is an interesting looking beer because although it is very clear it appears very dark except where light shines directly through the body. The head is a tobacco-stained off-white and is short lived, leaving behind some foam in a crescent moon along the inside of the glass and a few large bubbles that pop out of existence very slowly.

Aroma: Up front there is a butterscotch aroma mixed with wildflowers and wet wood. It is nice but the buttery aroma is fairly strong.

Taste: The beer has a nice over-ripe peach flavor that maintains from start to finish in the beer. It has a very fruity character but then there is this caramel syrup-like flavor which is intertwined with alcohol. Across the beer as a whole is this floral rosewater or cherry blossom character. It is a really interesting beer.

Mouthfeel: The beer feels a bit syrupy on the tongue compared to the standard Barleywine and this could be a detractor for many drinkers. It doesn't feel thick like a cough syrup but it definitely has a coating texture.

Overall: The beer looks fantastic in a glass and it has some complex flavors. While the label boasts that it is a "BARLEYWINE STYLE ALE WITH NATURAL ORANGE AND TANGERINE FLAVORS, AND CORIANDER" it tasted a bit more like peach than anything. Obviously palates are different so this could taste different to another drinker. It's an interesting beer but it doesn't land squarely as a barleywine. I can't recommend for or against it but if you prefer a slightly fruitier beer then it is worth a shot. I probably wouldn't drink it again given the syrupy texture, but the flavor was good enough to compensate for the odd mouthfeel.

Crystal amber, thin white ring, spots; light caramel, butterscotch, orange; toasted malt, caramel, oak, orange; light but mildly sticky; interesting.

On tap at the Wall of Beer. Served in a10 oz tulip glass.
Pours clear, copper colored, with a strewn of bobbles rising from the bottom to a short but durable white head.
Smells like it might be a bit harsh but it is actually mild and has very well hidden alcohol.
Lightly sweet with hints of toffee, brown sugar, oranges and faint spices. Smooth, near full body with a remarkable absence of heat.

Revisited 12/28/19

A-Pours a dark copper color with a nice head and lacing
A-Aroma has orange, tangerine and coriander hints
T-The taste follows with an Orange, tangerine and coriander flavor
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good Barleywine