16th Anniversary Barrel-Aged Barleywine
Fremont Brewing Company

 

Murky brown body with a solid beige head, about a fat finger that slowly settles into a collar. Aromas of toffee malts, barley, bourbon barrel with a wood emphasis, and golden raisin. Taste has wood and barley support toffee, bourbon golden raisin and then a light apricot and orange tone in the second half of the sip. Rustic yet light and full of character, barley and barrel about equal in providing texture. A hit as always for this series. The wife liked it

16oz bottle into a tulip. Pours a murky brownish mahogany, pretty opaque—as it settles the cloudiness subsides, I’m guessing we have a bit of chill haze here. Minimal khaki head settles to a thin collar around the edge of the glass.

Aroma is sweet, fruity, malty, boozy. Bourbon-soaked figs/dates, sticky caramel, vanilla, toffee, holiday spice.

On the palate, what surprises me most is the clear presence of some vegetal hops—they are not in your face but they’re there, and they lend a subtle bitterness to the flavor profile. Otherwise we have the usual sticky brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, and nice boozy heat.

Mouthfeel is sticky and chewy, palate-coating.

Overall we have another stellar anniversary barleywines from Fremont. Great stuff.

Appearance: Pours tea colored with a one finger head that slowly fades to a ringlet; streaky lacing - quite unusual for the ABV

Smell: Toffee, golden raisin and vanilla ensconced in Bourbon barrel tones

Taste: Toffee, golden raisin and vanilla forward, with a slight bitterness building; the Bourbon barrel tones arrive, in the mid-palate, and blend nicely with the other elements

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet

Overall: This is what I am looking for in an English Barleywine; I am particularly impressed that it was not overwhelmed by the barrel treatment

 

 

 

Pours a light brown with slight reddish hue. Aroma is very subtle - some brown sugar, bourbon and honey. Taste is more pronounced. Sweet combination of bourbon, brown sugar, vanilla and dark fruits. Mouthfeel is medium bordering on full. Strong barleywine.

I ordered 3 bottles of this, received them about a month or so ago, just now popping one open. Dark brown or rust in color with a tan head. Nose is burnt caramel and maybe dried fruit. Taste is brown sugar, pecan pie filling, raisins. Nice bourbon flavor and warmth abound, but not overpowering.

On tap at the brewery today, during the anniversary release event. The beer pours a a brownish amber color with with light lacing and decent head retention. This has the appearance of a beer that has seen some barrel aging. The nose is surprisingly light at this point. I'm gettingight brown sugar, honey, light vanilla and a hint of bourbon, but its not as prominent as I was expecting. At least not at this stage of its development. On the palate this is a rich, sweet BW, with fksvora of golden raisins, vanilla, brown sugar and light chocolate. There's sime light bitterness in the finish, which is a bit surprising. It doesn't detract from the flavor profile, but I wasnt expecting it. Mouthfeel is full with a long finish. Alcohol is pretty well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell this is a big beer.

I think this has the potential to become a very good BW, but right now it's a bit raw and angular. Still enjoyable, but it could use some time to show it's very best.