La Cibeles Barley Wine
Cervezas La Cibeles S.L.

 

Poured from a 33 cl bottle bought at the brewery.

A - The beer is a deep amber with a lot of orange. The head is almost pure white, not very tall, but is dense and remains solid, made of very tiny bubbles. The beer is clear but a bit hazy and has chains of large carbonation bubbles constantly rising. It was bottle-conditioned, as are all La Cibeles beers.

S - Aroma is big on malt, warm and bready with a cracked grain note as well. But there is a spicy, black pepper note that is also prominent. No hops or alcohol evident.

T - The taste is very soft and mellow and all about malt. This is obviously an English-style Barleywine, not US. The malt is warm and bready and "brown", like fresh bran muffins from the oven. Some low brown sugar and raisin notes. Later in the palate the hops show themselves with moderate bitterness and some low flowery flavor. The alcohol provides some depth of flavor. No obvious yeast flavors.

M - Body is medium to thick, as appropriate. The carbonation is low but prickly. Low alcohol burn.

O - This beer is understated and not overly complex but enjoyable. The 9% alcohol is well-hidden. It is a very good version of a malt-forward English barleywine.

330ml bottle. Snifter glass. Enjoyed on jun´12 (Mediona Beer Fair 2012). Pours deep orangish amber in color, hazy appearance. Yellowish beige, medium bubbled froth. Brief crown is recovered by gentle twisting. Crystal & caramel malt, yeast aromas with orange zest hues. Underliying subtle rhum-like alcohol both in flavor & aroma. Malts & fruit hops flew together so provide a sweet/bitter well balanced palate. Medium body, moderate to high carbonation. Ripe fruit –apricot- in the middle. Dry bitter/sweet finish & sugary aftertaste. Pleasant warming ABV. Comment: Should be recognized how difficult is to perform a good job when such a complex beer Style is brewed by a craft brewery.