Old And In The Way | High Water Brewing
Brewed by:
High Water Brewing
California, United States
highwaterbrewing.com
Style: English Barleywine
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 11.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Old and In The Way Barley Wine Style Ale is brewed in the traditional English Barley Wine Style. Flavors of toffee, treacle and caramel emerge as the beer opens up. Enjoy this beer a little warmer to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of flavors in this beer. Brewed to be enjoyable as a sipping or fireside beer. Share one with a good friend.
11% ABV 95 IBU
Added by BeerAdvocate on 02-05-2011
Reviews: 17 | Ratings: 56
4.09/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013 vintage served in a snifter at cellar temps.
Appearance: deep garnet with a very sticky off white head that lingers. Lacing galore.
Nose: dark fruits, caramel, almost butterscotch, toffee, creamy and rich, chocolate, well integrated and balanced but still has some boozyness in there.
Taste: very chewy, toffee, dark fruits, Malt forward with some residual bitterness for balance. No hot alcohols at all but there is some booz on the tongue.
Overall: my only bottle. Need more. This is a fantastic English barleywine, not hot or solventy but the booz is still very present just not like what I'd expect from an 11% beer thats almost 2 years in the bottle.
★ 665 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013 vintage served in a snifter at cellar temps.
Appearance: deep garnet with a very sticky off white head that lingers. Lacing galore.
Nose: dark fruits, caramel, almost butterscotch, toffee, creamy and rich, chocolate, well integrated and balanced but still has some boozyness in there.
Taste: very chewy, toffee, dark fruits, Malt forward with some residual bitterness for balance. No hot alcohols at all but there is some booz on the tongue.
Overall: my only bottle. Need more. This is a fantastic English barleywine, not hot or solventy but the booz is still very present just not like what I'd expect from an 11% beer thats almost 2 years in the bottle.
★ 665 characters
3.51/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown with hints of ruby, slightly murky. Smell is roasted noted with chocolate. Taste is chocolate, roasted malt, carmel, no fruit notes. Mouthfeel is heavy, and abv is hidden. Getting some bourbon notes on the end. Pair with nuts, sausage, or lamb stew.
★ 260 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Dark brown with hints of ruby, slightly murky. Smell is roasted noted with chocolate. Taste is chocolate, roasted malt, carmel, no fruit notes. Mouthfeel is heavy, and abv is hidden. Getting some bourbon notes on the end. Pair with nuts, sausage, or lamb stew.
★ 260 characters
4.03/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
13 vintage.
A: tan head, stays for a while. Very dark amber color. I love barleywines that are super dark. 3.75
S: sweet smelling, you smell the barrel. 3.75
T: only a hint of barrel in the taste, but it's awesome. Sometimes barleywines are too oaky, and this is a great barleywine with just that last good hint of wood. 4.25
M: great chewy mouthfeel for a barleywine. It's almost creamy. Leaves a great malty aftertaste. 4.
O: I had the 12 when it came out and have a couple saved. Can't wait to see where they, and this years, go in the future. 4.0
★ 556 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
13 vintage.
A: tan head, stays for a while. Very dark amber color. I love barleywines that are super dark. 3.75
S: sweet smelling, you smell the barrel. 3.75
T: only a hint of barrel in the taste, but it's awesome. Sometimes barleywines are too oaky, and this is a great barleywine with just that last good hint of wood. 4.25
M: great chewy mouthfeel for a barleywine. It's almost creamy. Leaves a great malty aftertaste. 4.
O: I had the 12 when it came out and have a couple saved. Can't wait to see where they, and this years, go in the future. 4.0
★ 556 characters
4.2/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Black with a tan ring of head.
S: Old malt, oak, vanilla, malt, dark fruit, red grapes, red wine, a touch of brandy in the nose.
T: Orange, lemon, grapefruit peel up front, followed by malt, then oak, vanilla, followed by red wine and red grapes with the borbon character and a touch of cognac and brandy in the finish.
M: Medium bodied and smooth, though the alcohol is a tad harsh.
O: I really like this beer. I'd love to try the Buffalo Trace version. It's perhaps a bit flat, but I feel like the alcohol astringency offsets that a bit, and like my beer smooth.
★ 571 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Black with a tan ring of head.
S: Old malt, oak, vanilla, malt, dark fruit, red grapes, red wine, a touch of brandy in the nose.
T: Orange, lemon, grapefruit peel up front, followed by malt, then oak, vanilla, followed by red wine and red grapes with the borbon character and a touch of cognac and brandy in the finish.
M: Medium bodied and smooth, though the alcohol is a tad harsh.
O: I really like this beer. I'd love to try the Buffalo Trace version. It's perhaps a bit flat, but I feel like the alcohol astringency offsets that a bit, and like my beer smooth.
★ 571 characters
2.04/5 rDev -45.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
I had this beer on tap after just getting into Barley Wines.
Everything appeared great until it hit my tongue.
It tastes like candy floss (fairy floss). That is literally it. I would have enjoyed this when I was 5, but as my palette has matured away from sugary sweet, to savory depth; I couldn't handle this, nor could anyone else.
This is the second beer I haven't been able to finish, and that's rare.
★ 409 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
I had this beer on tap after just getting into Barley Wines.
Everything appeared great until it hit my tongue.
It tastes like candy floss (fairy floss). That is literally it. I would have enjoyed this when I was 5, but as my palette has matured away from sugary sweet, to savory depth; I couldn't handle this, nor could anyone else.
This is the second beer I haven't been able to finish, and that's rare.
★ 409 characters
3.95/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to whoever brought this to our Nov. '12 bottle share.
Somewhat hazy brown-leather color, a small tan head receded mostly, and left little to no lacing, as would be expected. Nice aroma, not quite full, but nice, with notes of toffee and vanilla, caramel malts, sweet dried fruits, and a touch of earthy hops. More of the same in the taste, with toffee and vanilla being the major players, sweet malty sugar, mellow bourbon, fig-like fruit essence, earthy hops and slight oak for a woody but not quite dry finish. Body was a little on the thin side, and kind of made this beer off-balanced with the big sugary flavors going on; some alcohol heat in there. A good brew, and quite drinkable overall.
★ 704 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to whoever brought this to our Nov. '12 bottle share.
Somewhat hazy brown-leather color, a small tan head receded mostly, and left little to no lacing, as would be expected. Nice aroma, not quite full, but nice, with notes of toffee and vanilla, caramel malts, sweet dried fruits, and a touch of earthy hops. More of the same in the taste, with toffee and vanilla being the major players, sweet malty sugar, mellow bourbon, fig-like fruit essence, earthy hops and slight oak for a woody but not quite dry finish. Body was a little on the thin side, and kind of made this beer off-balanced with the big sugary flavors going on; some alcohol heat in there. A good brew, and quite drinkable overall.
★ 704 characters
3.87/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle 55 of 216
A: poured a. A translucent dark brown with ruby highlights and a vary thin head that left very little lacing sticking to the glass.
S: the buffalo bourbon barrel dominates the aroma with some caramel, toffee, oaky, a little bit of brown sugar, boozy heat and hints of sugary sweetness
T: the bourbon barrel character also dominated the taste alongside caramel, toffee, oaky, maple syrup notes, slight lactic quality, boozy heat and a touch brown sugar.
M: the brew was medium in body with a low amount of carbonation which had a sweet, boozy, and stickiy finish.
O: thought it was going to be way better then it was. Did't really care for it.
★ 664 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle 55 of 216
A: poured a. A translucent dark brown with ruby highlights and a vary thin head that left very little lacing sticking to the glass.
S: the buffalo bourbon barrel dominates the aroma with some caramel, toffee, oaky, a little bit of brown sugar, boozy heat and hints of sugary sweetness
T: the bourbon barrel character also dominated the taste alongside caramel, toffee, oaky, maple syrup notes, slight lactic quality, boozy heat and a touch brown sugar.
M: the brew was medium in body with a low amount of carbonation which had a sweet, boozy, and stickiy finish.
O: thought it was going to be way better then it was. Did't really care for it.
★ 664 characters
3.73/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Vintage 2011. Pouts a dark brown with a mahogany red hue. Small, light-tan head. Scent immediately heavy with English hops and malt. Hints of toffee and barrel characteristics...vanilla and sherry wine. A bit of dark chocolate with some brandy and dark fruits. Taste is almost exactly as it smells. Hoppier than I expected. English hops at first with some mellow vanilla which quickly turns to heavy vanilla and toffee. Dark malt and caramel malt with some bitter dark chocolate and sweet brandy flavors. Lots of booze. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and quite boozy. Nice carbonation. Drinkability is fair. Overall, this is a fairly good BA Barleywine. I've had much better, but from an up and coming brewery, this is a good start.
★ 728 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Vintage 2011. Pouts a dark brown with a mahogany red hue. Small, light-tan head. Scent immediately heavy with English hops and malt. Hints of toffee and barrel characteristics...vanilla and sherry wine. A bit of dark chocolate with some brandy and dark fruits. Taste is almost exactly as it smells. Hoppier than I expected. English hops at first with some mellow vanilla which quickly turns to heavy vanilla and toffee. Dark malt and caramel malt with some bitter dark chocolate and sweet brandy flavors. Lots of booze. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and quite boozy. Nice carbonation. Drinkability is fair. Overall, this is a fairly good BA Barleywine. I've had much better, but from an up and coming brewery, this is a good start.
★ 728 characters
3.08/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Bottle received in a trade with Chebyshev. Thank you, Aaron. I've been curious to try something from Highwater, given I enjoyed some of Steve Altimari beers from his Valley Brewing Co days. Labeled 10.5%
Pouring a dark ruby red-brown with a dense, light brown head with rather excellent retention and nice lacing, this looks like a nice barleywine. The nose has a moderate barrel character right up front, rather brandy-like and quite vinous. This pairs well with the toffee and nutty aromas that are present. This does lack the depth that some better barleywines do have, though, the malt character does seem a little thin. A rather tannic astringency is noticeable. Decent. Once it breathes, it does get a nice buckwheat honey note that does add depth.
The palate opens plenty bitter with a lot of citrusy hops (especially bitterness), a moderate alcohol bite and a blend of malt flavors. The high alcohol has thinned this out on the palate. There's burnt toffee, jam, almonds, some brandy and quite a bit of tannins on the back end. The bitterness and the tannins linger on in the finish, and without much sweetness to help temper the bitterness or astringency, this just feels messy. Medium in body , moderately carbonated this beer is just OK. If anything, it makes me want to drink the last Summer Love in my fridge.
★ 1,324 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Bottle received in a trade with Chebyshev. Thank you, Aaron. I've been curious to try something from Highwater, given I enjoyed some of Steve Altimari beers from his Valley Brewing Co days. Labeled 10.5%
Pouring a dark ruby red-brown with a dense, light brown head with rather excellent retention and nice lacing, this looks like a nice barleywine. The nose has a moderate barrel character right up front, rather brandy-like and quite vinous. This pairs well with the toffee and nutty aromas that are present. This does lack the depth that some better barleywines do have, though, the malt character does seem a little thin. A rather tannic astringency is noticeable. Decent. Once it breathes, it does get a nice buckwheat honey note that does add depth.
The palate opens plenty bitter with a lot of citrusy hops (especially bitterness), a moderate alcohol bite and a blend of malt flavors. The high alcohol has thinned this out on the palate. There's burnt toffee, jam, almonds, some brandy and quite a bit of tannins on the back end. The bitterness and the tannins linger on in the finish, and without much sweetness to help temper the bitterness or astringency, this just feels messy. Medium in body , moderately carbonated this beer is just OK. If anything, it makes me want to drink the last Summer Love in my fridge.
★ 1,324 characters
3.65/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from bottle (bought at Whole Foods in Redwood City, CA) into snifter glass.
A: Very dark but red-ish brown. Medium, off-white head.
S: Lush, sweet mix of various flavors - grapes, toffee, vanilla, and maybe a bit of hot alcohol.
T: Far more bitter than the smell would have you believe. But then, it's a barleywine. Although the sweeter notes mentioned above (e.g., toffee) are in there, I'd say that the bitterness overpowers them. Barrel flavors are very prominent, creating a kind of "twig" flavor when combined with the bitterness level and the other flavors. I'm not quite sure if the bitterness is from hops or high alcohol content + barrels, or something like that. The bitterness remains in the aftertaste to some extent, but does fade away eventually.
M: Nothing too unexpected here. Heavy-bodied. Carbonation seems to be on the low side, or maybe I've just let it sit around in the glass (and open bottle) for too long.
O: It's complex and multifaceted, but the excessive bitterness lets it down. I wish the vanilla and toffee flavors would shine through in the taste, but they do not.
★ 1,107 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Served from bottle (bought at Whole Foods in Redwood City, CA) into snifter glass.
A: Very dark but red-ish brown. Medium, off-white head.
S: Lush, sweet mix of various flavors - grapes, toffee, vanilla, and maybe a bit of hot alcohol.
T: Far more bitter than the smell would have you believe. But then, it's a barleywine. Although the sweeter notes mentioned above (e.g., toffee) are in there, I'd say that the bitterness overpowers them. Barrel flavors are very prominent, creating a kind of "twig" flavor when combined with the bitterness level and the other flavors. I'm not quite sure if the bitterness is from hops or high alcohol content + barrels, or something like that. The bitterness remains in the aftertaste to some extent, but does fade away eventually.
M: Nothing too unexpected here. Heavy-bodied. Carbonation seems to be on the low side, or maybe I've just let it sit around in the glass (and open bottle) for too long.
O: It's complex and multifaceted, but the excessive bitterness lets it down. I wish the vanilla and toffee flavors would shine through in the taste, but they do not.
★ 1,107 characters
4.42/5 rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a dark brown color with a finger of frothy khaki colored head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some light lace.
S - Aroma is full of rich sweet caramel malts, with some brown sugar, vanilla, oak, dark fruit, licorice, and just a hint of booze.
T - Starts off with some rich sweet caramel malts with some dark fruit, brown sugar, vanilla, and a bit of black licorice. Through the middle, some oak comes through alongside some stronger dark fruits and a bit of molasses. The finish is a mix of sweet caramelized malts, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, dark fruit, and a bit of booze.
M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a syrupy, warming, and sweet finish.
D - Very drinkable. Really nice malty English barleywine. The sweet caramelized flavor balance really nicely with the barrel flavors.
★ 841 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Pours a dark brown color with a finger of frothy khaki colored head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some light lace.
S - Aroma is full of rich sweet caramel malts, with some brown sugar, vanilla, oak, dark fruit, licorice, and just a hint of booze.
T - Starts off with some rich sweet caramel malts with some dark fruit, brown sugar, vanilla, and a bit of black licorice. Through the middle, some oak comes through alongside some stronger dark fruits and a bit of molasses. The finish is a mix of sweet caramelized malts, vanilla, oak, brown sugar, dark fruit, and a bit of booze.
M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a syrupy, warming, and sweet finish.
D - Very drinkable. Really nice malty English barleywine. The sweet caramelized flavor balance really nicely with the barrel flavors.
★ 841 characters
3.7/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber. Vintage 2011. Bottle is labeled 10.5% ABV. Served in a snifter.
Reviewing this beer side by side with the Healthy Spirits Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Edition. (The regular version was aged in 12 Year Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels.)
Pours a slightly translucent dark matte brown with slight red highlights. A little over a finger of tan foam, settles to a thin covering and a small ring. A little bit of lacing is left behind.
Aroma is soft and somewhat restrained. Vanilla, dark fruit, a little sour fruit. Very earthy. Sweet caramel malt. No real apparent booze.
Flavor is a little more full on than the aroma. Dark fruits with a little bit of sourness. Caramel, vanilla, oak, and some spice. Finish transitions into bitter floral hops and some alcohol, although pretty well buried given the high ABV. You do feel the heat build after a few sips though.
Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Stays pretty thick and somewhat creamy. Decent for the style.
★ 973 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber. Vintage 2011. Bottle is labeled 10.5% ABV. Served in a snifter.
Reviewing this beer side by side with the Healthy Spirits Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Edition. (The regular version was aged in 12 Year Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels.)
Pours a slightly translucent dark matte brown with slight red highlights. A little over a finger of tan foam, settles to a thin covering and a small ring. A little bit of lacing is left behind.
Aroma is soft and somewhat restrained. Vanilla, dark fruit, a little sour fruit. Very earthy. Sweet caramel malt. No real apparent booze.
Flavor is a little more full on than the aroma. Dark fruits with a little bit of sourness. Caramel, vanilla, oak, and some spice. Finish transitions into bitter floral hops and some alcohol, although pretty well buried given the high ABV. You do feel the heat build after a few sips though.
Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Stays pretty thick and somewhat creamy. Decent for the style.
★ 973 characters
4.09/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Dark leathery brown. Complete opacity. Nice thin khaki head.
Smell: Smokey. Tobacco, rough leather. Fig and raisin. Stiff dark chocolate.
Taste: Malty, coffee. Licorice and anise. Banana bread. The alcohol is well concealed.
Mouthfeel: Stiff and chewy. Leather. Nice full flavored barleywine. Balance is nice. Not exceptionally sweet.
Overall: A great after dinner barleywine. Mature. This should age marvelously.
★ 431 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Dark leathery brown. Complete opacity. Nice thin khaki head.
Smell: Smokey. Tobacco, rough leather. Fig and raisin. Stiff dark chocolate.
Taste: Malty, coffee. Licorice and anise. Banana bread. The alcohol is well concealed.
Mouthfeel: Stiff and chewy. Leather. Nice full flavored barleywine. Balance is nice. Not exceptionally sweet.
Overall: A great after dinner barleywine. Mature. This should age marvelously.
★ 431 characters
3.58/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at burger. in Santa Cruz. Pours opaque dark brown with crimson corners. Pruney iodine aroma with some evident booze, maybe a little raisin. Not the best aroma, nor is it very robust. Flavor is much better. Earthy chocolate with burnt brown sugar, a touch of soy, and a buttery toasted coconut finish. Not sure if this is bourbon barrel aged but it sure seems like it. A sweet warming beer that captures the English style pretty well.
★ 440 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at burger. in Santa Cruz. Pours opaque dark brown with crimson corners. Pruney iodine aroma with some evident booze, maybe a little raisin. Not the best aroma, nor is it very robust. Flavor is much better. Earthy chocolate with burnt brown sugar, a touch of soy, and a buttery toasted coconut finish. Not sure if this is bourbon barrel aged but it sure seems like it. A sweet warming beer that captures the English style pretty well.
★ 440 characters
3.22/5 rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance: Ruddy brown with some chill haze. Clarity is pretty good as it warms up. Lightly carbonated, with little head formation.
Smell: Pretty good, very promising. Heavy on the toffee and vanilla, with mild barrel notes, faint fusels, a little earthy fruit. Not a huge aroma, but it's nice.
Taste & mouthfeel: A letdown compared to the nose. Like Aphotic, it's pretty thin and light on the barrel, but while that worked for a Baltic porter, it doesn't work so well for a barrel aged English barleywine. It does open with some decent flavors, toffee-heavy as suggested by the aroma, with plenty of vanilla and some fig jam fruitiness. The finish is where the beer misses a step; aside from being thin, it's overly bitter for the style, and fusel alcohol and tannins attack the tongue after the swallow.
Overall: Drinkable, but no means awful, but not something I'll revisit. One glass is plenty for me.
★ 910 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Appearance: Ruddy brown with some chill haze. Clarity is pretty good as it warms up. Lightly carbonated, with little head formation.
Smell: Pretty good, very promising. Heavy on the toffee and vanilla, with mild barrel notes, faint fusels, a little earthy fruit. Not a huge aroma, but it's nice.
Taste & mouthfeel: A letdown compared to the nose. Like Aphotic, it's pretty thin and light on the barrel, but while that worked for a Baltic porter, it doesn't work so well for a barrel aged English barleywine. It does open with some decent flavors, toffee-heavy as suggested by the aroma, with plenty of vanilla and some fig jam fruitiness. The finish is where the beer misses a step; aside from being thin, it's overly bitter for the style, and fusel alcohol and tannins attack the tongue after the swallow.
Overall: Drinkable, but no means awful, but not something I'll revisit. One glass is plenty for me.
★ 910 characters
3.92/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.
Pours a slightly hazy dark brown with a foamy tan head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, vanilla, wood, and bourbon. Taste is very much the same with a woody aftertaste that lingers on the palate. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good barrel aged barleywine with some nice aromas and flavors.
★ 555 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.
Pours a slightly hazy dark brown with a foamy tan head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, vanilla, wood, and bourbon. Taste is very much the same with a woody aftertaste that lingers on the palate. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good barrel aged barleywine with some nice aromas and flavors.
★ 555 characters
Old And In The Way from High Water Brewing
3.77
out of 5
based on 56 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
this was a 2011 model, it was a B+ in my opinion. it was more alcohol on the front than barrel aged goodness. lacked those toffee, vanilla, caramel notes you come to expect from a 4 year old bba
★ 197 characters