Batch 200
Olde Peninsula Brewpub & Restaurant

Served in a 12oz snifter for the great price of $3.75. This one was brewed "to commemorate Dan's 200th batch." It's a deep brown with red tints and a small off-white head that rings the cup. Nose is sweet malts with a bit of alcohol and roastiness, and a dense brown raisin bread smell. Hops come through too. Taste is lots of sweet roasty malts, but not too sweet, with toffee and a strong spicy hop presence from the Columbus hops. Alcohol is fairly well hidden; there's just enough in the finish to remind you it's a barley wine. Excellent for the style - not too sweet, perfect amount of hops, the raisin and spiciness give it a unique edge. Mouthfeel is great: very full, dense, and foamy. Drinkability is good if you watch out for the ABV... one of the more drinkable barleywines I've ever had. It's quite easy to down the 12oz snifter and want another one right away, thanks to it's subtle yet firm qualities. Not one of those barleywines that smack you over the head with cloying ethanol.
A great entry from OP, the best I've seen from them.