Belle Dock Barleywine
McKenzie Brew House

 

I think someone said this was an 2005 vintage, though I don't see any evidence of this beer being bottled after 2003.

Deep reddish-brown pour, a bit murky, with a small lasting ringlet for a head; minor legs on the glass. The aroma actually held up pretty good here, with scents of thick, dark sugars, toffee, molasses, lightly fruity esters; some minor notes of oxidation, but almost not worth mentioning. Unfortunately, the taste didn't hold up quite as well. The oxidation was more pronounced, somewhat cardboardy, dry bready malts, toffee, nutshells, hints of old sherry, and a neutral vegetal presence. It wasn't really bad, but it just seemed way past its prime, though it must have been a really good drinker back in the day. Medium body, a little thin in the mouthfeel, but alcohol almost completely mellowed. Nice little obscure gem to crack out for Stone Soup.

750ml bottle. Vintage 2003. Shared bottle courtesy of egajdzis (thanks!).

Poured a amber/copper color with a smaller off white head. Aromas and tastes of wood, malts, dark cherries, and a little musty. Malty. Light alcohol in the finish.

Notes from 2/4/05

Brewed July 2003
Poured out into my Duvel a woodsy, chestnut brown and unclear. Cant see through this. Tons of thick khaki head reduced down to a good heavy layer that stayed for a good while, but eventually I was left with a very thin ring only. No lacing at all, the glass stays clean all the way down. Richly scented of malts, raspberries, hops become more pronounced in the arouma as it warms. Tight carbination flows over your tongue and then expands a bit more in your mouth... not overly carbinated at all, it is a very interesting experience... lets you know it is there without being too much or too little for the style. Smooth, but not towards creamy, more silky. Sharp and peppery hoppy bites. Dark caramel sweetness with chocolate and coffee. Blackened toast and grapefruit rind. Alot of flavors linger for a few moments afterwards, then slowly fade. Very good flavors, great sipper. Man, the alcohol is very well hidden in this one.
Very enjoyable brew, and great way to sit back and watch the snow fall!

Reddish amber color with a very small, off white head, that quickly diminished leaving no lacing on the glass. Aroma of hops, nuts, sweet malt, and tart citrus fruits. More nuts, tobacco, resiny caramel malts, lightly bitter taste with a very faint alcohol finish. A nice barleywine.

I am drinking from a 750 bottle picked up at the pub.
Brew is poured into a tulip glass at room temp.
The color is a clear chestnut with a thin edge layer of off white head that fades to nothing quickly.
Aroma is complex and fruity with plums, raisins, and strawberry like red licorice scents (a new one for me), this could also be bubblegum. I also get a bit of warming alcohol on the nose and a general hard candy sweetness.
Overall the aroma is very appealing.
First sip reveals avery mild almost non existent carbonation with a fairly thick body.
Flavor starts malty with toffee and chocolate dominant with the fruity nose not really making as much of an appearance on the palate. The beer leaves a nice chocolate coating on my tongue after I swallow.
A very smooth and easy to drink big beer. NO hint of the 10.6 % on the bottle. I think this is an outstanding beer and am glad I have 2 more bottles!

You must track this one down!

Left a thin edge-layer around the rim of the glass but no other head really on this ale. Dark copper in color w/ hints or red as well. Lots of fruit smell and sugar (plums or strawberries). Brown maltiness also. Warming alcohol smell. The taste is mostly like sour plums on the front w/ smootness to die for and some slight oak dryness. Lots of chocolate comes through on the swallow w/ hints of almonds as well as a slight acohol finish. Warm smoothness w/ light carbonation w/ a nice chocolat malt swallow w/ little alcohol burn at all. Also slightly dry before the swallow- fairly full-bodied but not chewy as expected...a nice brew!