Barleywine Blond (Collection Barrique)
McAuslan Brewing

Bottle: Poured an amber color ale with a small foamy head with OK retention and light lacing. Aroma of bourbon notes with some vanilla and woody also easily noticeable. Taste is a mix of dry caramelized malt with loads of woody notes, some light vanilla with a rich bourbon finish. Body is full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol notes. Interesting take on the blond barleywine style which isn’t very common with some strong dominating bourbon notes.

 

Look is a blond honey gold, with a minimal head and almost no retention or lacing.

Smell is barrel strong, almost hiding the rest of the aroma. However you do get the malts coming in, and the some hops.

Taste is overpoweringly barrel, and again this flavor smothers the other typical barleywine flavors. After the barrel gives way, I do get some thin malts and a touch of hops.

Feel is boozy. This beer does not hide the ABV well. Otherwise it is a little thin for the style and carbonation seem a little high.

This one is a dud for me. Others I see on another site seem to agree, and those at my tasting last nice, also agree. Not the best from this brewer by a long shot.