Blackfin
Reaver Beach Brewing Company

 

I got this beer from the brewery back when they were known as Beach Brewing Co. It has been aged since then. The bottle is capped with black wax and no bottle date is listed. I suppose it is from 2013 given the date it was added.

Appearance: The body is a transparent mahogany brown with hints of dark ruby red. It sports a short tobacco stained yellow head that is short lived and leaves a thin line of foam around the edges. It looks great in a glass.

Aroma: There is a strong roasted malt with aroma with a bit of burnt caramel. It has a bit of an odd medicinal scent to it. Overall the burnt caramel grain carries the most weight in the aroma department.

Taste: There is a strong bourbon barrel flavor that comes out right up front and joins this burnt cocoa flavor and what tastes a bit like burnt molasses. The middle of the palate is just loaded with these various cooked sugar flavors. The aftertaste hits on the bourbon again and it finishes with a lightly toasted note.

Mouthfeel: It is bitter no matter what phase of the drinking experience you are in. The highlight of this beer is how well it melds all of the textures together into this near-smooth body. A product of aging?

Overall: It is a very complex and enjoyable beer. While I am drinking this in the end of May I would recommend it in the colder months. It is definitely a contender for any Winter Warmer. The strongest point of this beer is the diversity of complex flavors. I would drink it again and I would recommend it if you can find it.

 

 

 

Absolutely loved this beer. Reminded me of a Mai tai. Well balanced.

This is version aged in rum barrels - don't know if previous version(s) was the same. Poured a brown body with one finger head and lace ring around glass. Somewhat fruity, boozy aroma with notes of vanilla and wood. Medium to full body but real smooth thanks to woody edge and there is this vanilla/toffee/figgy sweetness that mixes with a slight prune or raisin or plum dark fruit taste. Balance is there and the sugary sweet aspect of beer is balanced with crisp hop bite on finish. Just a tad off or score would've been higher.

 

Thanks to mhenson42 for this one.

Never had a beer from this brewery before, so no expectations. This beer doesn't have a BA score so just trying to help.

Poured well into a tulip glass, mildly under-carbonated if anything, but probably not unusual for the style. Color is inviting.

Aroma is ripe fruit, very slight bourbon, not overwhelming.

Taste is distinctive from aroma, ripe fruit effect almost entirely absent. Taste is more classical style centered. Nice, but not in the same category as Mother or BCBB or Central Waters BA Barleywine.

Mouthfeel is mildly disappointing, a little thin in comparison to others in the same category.

I like to try anything big at least once, and now I am glad I did. I am enjoying the experience of having my first Beach Brewing beer, but not something I would go out of my way to seek again.

 

 

 

 

 

Shared by MrChopin. Thanks Kevin. The beer is copper hued with a small tan collar. Nice aroma of malt, toffee, brown sugar. Nice flavor as well. Medium bodied with a prominent brown sugar character. Light spice. Sweetness is mild and never cloying. A delightful sipper.

---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

 

Poured into a Founders CBS snifter from a 22 oz. bottle.

Pours a brilliant garnet/mahogany shade with a lovely two finger head. The nose is a wonderful mix of chocolate/cocoa, vanilla, and dark fruit. Minimal alcohol in the nose. One of the best smelling beers I've experienced in some time. The taste has a nice dose of dark/bakers chocolate in it to coincide with what comes across as some dark cherries and figs. The mouthfeel is nice and lush. I've had thicker heavier barleywines before...but this one is very full bodied indeed. The finish has some lingering alcoholic astringency to it which keeps it from being perfect. Overall, this is a damn fine beer. I wasn't expecting this one at all. Would drink again any time.

22oz black wax bottle straight from the Brewery tasting room poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a deep amber brown color with a thin cream colored head that dissipates quickly...lets you know it means business.

S: Smell is of strong, fresh oak, some residual sugar, kentucky whiskey, vanilla, molasses, and a little citrus fruit.

T: Tastes like bourbon wood at the front end that has a uniquely smooth transition into vanilla, sweetness, alot of coconuty sugar, molasses and a hint of dark chocolate booze.

M: Medium bodied mouthfeel typical of a barleywine...maybe a little heavier, but quite delightful and chewy.

O: Beach's best offering to date. The 12% abv is handled superbly well by the sugar, coconut, and bourbon. It gives you a warming burn at the end that you love if you are into barleywines. This is unlike any other barleywine you will ever drink. Cheers if you had the honor and privilege to try this one.