Anchor Old Foghorn | Anchor Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Anchor Brewing Company
California, United States
anchorbrewing.com
Style: English Barleywine
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Old Foghorn® is brewed based on historic English barleywine methods. It is highly hopped, fermented with a true top-fermenting ale yeast, carbonated by a natural process called "bunging" to produce champagne-like bubbles, and dry-hopped with additional Cascade hops while it ages in our cellars. Made only from “first wort,” the rich first runnings of an all-malt mash, three mashes are required to produce just one barleywine brew.
ABV varies slightly over the years.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 10-15-2001
Ratings: 1,986 | Reviews: 1,067
3.77/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.93/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a dark copper with almost no head. Smells of barley, sweet caramel, toffee, and bourbon. Tastes of bourbon, toffee, caramel, some alcohol, and dark fruits. Medium in body and light in carbonation. Overall a stellar example of a barleywine.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a dark copper with almost no head. Smells of barley, sweet caramel, toffee, and bourbon. Tastes of bourbon, toffee, caramel, some alcohol, and dark fruits. Medium in body and light in carbonation. Overall a stellar example of a barleywine.
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3.43/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
There is nothing wrong with this ale, IF you like hoppy barley wines. I'm not a huge fan of them.
Otherwise, it looks good, smells fine, and packs a potent punch as a barley wine should.
I like hops well enough, but maybe I'm getting burned out on them? Keep them in IPA's of course. And many bland lagers could use a hoppier presence. But in things like Belgians and porters and stouts... please, not so much.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
There is nothing wrong with this ale, IF you like hoppy barley wines. I'm not a huge fan of them.
Otherwise, it looks good, smells fine, and packs a potent punch as a barley wine should.
I like hops well enough, but maybe I'm getting burned out on them? Keep them in IPA's of course. And many bland lagers could use a hoppier presence. But in things like Belgians and porters and stouts... please, not so much.
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4/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a murky dark orange close to dark amber/brown color with a cap of a little white foamy head that glistened and slid off at a moderate pace. Light messy lace.
The aroma had a nice blend of sweet caramel/toffee malts rolling over some butterscotch portions. Some red delicious apple, light vanilla, grassy/earthy hop bitterness and a touch of tobacco leaf round out the edges pretty nicely.
The flavor was moderately sweet and bringing in the tobacco leafy dry maltiness to flow somewhat nicely into the aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied making it a great sipper. Carbonation felt on par. ABV felt appropriate as the brewer intended. Semi-smooth texture yet a light bitterness impounding some grip along my tongue.
Overall, pretty nicely done English barleywine that I would have again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a snifter, the appearance was a murky dark orange close to dark amber/brown color with a cap of a little white foamy head that glistened and slid off at a moderate pace. Light messy lace.
The aroma had a nice blend of sweet caramel/toffee malts rolling over some butterscotch portions. Some red delicious apple, light vanilla, grassy/earthy hop bitterness and a touch of tobacco leaf round out the edges pretty nicely.
The flavor was moderately sweet and bringing in the tobacco leafy dry maltiness to flow somewhat nicely into the aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied making it a great sipper. Carbonation felt on par. ABV felt appropriate as the brewer intended. Semi-smooth texture yet a light bitterness impounding some grip along my tongue.
Overall, pretty nicely done English barleywine that I would have again.
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4.32/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Really nice barleywine. Big on the butterscotch. Very well rounded. Just what you want of green apple. Other esters show up (pear ?), raisns. Simple but greatly balanced. The US hops shows nice herbal and floral notes; Even if its an English-style barleywine, you can definitely tell it's from the America. Strong but never boozy it remains quiet drinkable all along the session. I love the bittersweet character of this ale. A caramel apple crumble in liquid form
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Really nice barleywine. Big on the butterscotch. Very well rounded. Just what you want of green apple. Other esters show up (pear ?), raisns. Simple but greatly balanced. The US hops shows nice herbal and floral notes; Even if its an English-style barleywine, you can definitely tell it's from the America. Strong but never boozy it remains quiet drinkable all along the session. I love the bittersweet character of this ale. A caramel apple crumble in liquid form
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4.94/5 rDev +25.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I just LOVE barleywine! To me it is the non plus ultra of anything "imperial", so a step beyond a Double IPA would be Barley Wine for me. Although in the most cases it is much more the malt that is dominant, not the hops.
However, Anchor has made this in the Ale tradition, as they say it on the bottleneck, it has been dry hopped just like ales would be. This is great! Perhaps they didn't brew it as high on ABV as other barley wines would be, but it is great nevertheless!
It is very thick, extremely smooth and has a hint of a cherry-brandy-esque thing going on, as if you took Golden Pride from Fullers and made it "Double Golden Pride". What does it mean? It means awesomeness squared. It means that this Old Foghorn is relatively easy, pleasant to drink but at the same time feels just like a barley wine would. This one is very low on booziness, and slightly drier in finish than a full-on barleywine would be, but all of these seem to enhance its quality even further.
Anchor is no wonder the oldest craft brewery in the States - and if it is true what they say on the bottle, they were the first ones not only to brew IPA after the Prohibition but to introduce Barleywine into the USA as well. Hats off to Anchor, hats off to the Old Foghorn!
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look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I just LOVE barleywine! To me it is the non plus ultra of anything "imperial", so a step beyond a Double IPA would be Barley Wine for me. Although in the most cases it is much more the malt that is dominant, not the hops.
However, Anchor has made this in the Ale tradition, as they say it on the bottleneck, it has been dry hopped just like ales would be. This is great! Perhaps they didn't brew it as high on ABV as other barley wines would be, but it is great nevertheless!
It is very thick, extremely smooth and has a hint of a cherry-brandy-esque thing going on, as if you took Golden Pride from Fullers and made it "Double Golden Pride". What does it mean? It means awesomeness squared. It means that this Old Foghorn is relatively easy, pleasant to drink but at the same time feels just like a barley wine would. This one is very low on booziness, and slightly drier in finish than a full-on barleywine would be, but all of these seem to enhance its quality even further.
Anchor is no wonder the oldest craft brewery in the States - and if it is true what they say on the bottle, they were the first ones not only to brew IPA after the Prohibition but to introduce Barleywine into the USA as well. Hats off to Anchor, hats off to the Old Foghorn!
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4.43/5 rDev +12.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter
A: Pours a brown, ruby reddish color with a toffee colored full, creamy head, its cloudy with nice ruby edges when held up to the light, lots of lacing, head dissipated into a soapy film after about five minutes, lots of tiny bubbles streaming up the glass's side.
A: Lots of malt, caramel, toffee, licorice, slight notes of burnt brown sugar, a little bit of citrus peel, plums and raisins, slight heat from the alcohol but well hidden, smells very promising.
T: First sip is impressive. Like the nose there's lot of malt, toasted rye, caramel, toffee, burnt brown sugar, slight licorice, also picking up some dark fruits like raisins and plums, the fruity sweetness hits in the middle and lingers in the aftertaste with more malt emerging, there's also a slight note of citrus peel in the finish, very smooth and way to easy to drink for such a high ABV.
M: Full bodied with a creamy, smooth, velvety mouthfeel and a dry citrus peel finish.
O: This is really good, tons of flavor, complexity and depth, big full bodied mouthfeel with incredible drinkability, it's not as hoppy as I was expecting but overall really enjoyed this and it will become a regular in my cellar.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter
A: Pours a brown, ruby reddish color with a toffee colored full, creamy head, its cloudy with nice ruby edges when held up to the light, lots of lacing, head dissipated into a soapy film after about five minutes, lots of tiny bubbles streaming up the glass's side.
A: Lots of malt, caramel, toffee, licorice, slight notes of burnt brown sugar, a little bit of citrus peel, plums and raisins, slight heat from the alcohol but well hidden, smells very promising.
T: First sip is impressive. Like the nose there's lot of malt, toasted rye, caramel, toffee, burnt brown sugar, slight licorice, also picking up some dark fruits like raisins and plums, the fruity sweetness hits in the middle and lingers in the aftertaste with more malt emerging, there's also a slight note of citrus peel in the finish, very smooth and way to easy to drink for such a high ABV.
M: Full bodied with a creamy, smooth, velvety mouthfeel and a dry citrus peel finish.
O: This is really good, tons of flavor, complexity and depth, big full bodied mouthfeel with incredible drinkability, it's not as hoppy as I was expecting but overall really enjoyed this and it will become a regular in my cellar.
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4.24/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 0.33 bottle.
L: Dark black color with a no foam head.
S: Caramel, lacrice.
T: Wine,raisin, plums.
F: Pleasant, very good balanced.
O: Impressive.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from 0.33 bottle.
L: Dark black color with a no foam head.
S: Caramel, lacrice.
T: Wine,raisin, plums.
F: Pleasant, very good balanced.
O: Impressive.
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3.87/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.24/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Wow, Anchor Old Foghorn 12oz bottled 2/5/14 8.8% ABV. Pour is muddled brown in color showing red highlights in brighter light. Head is light tan and lasts a minute receding into a fine ring around the glass. Smell is caramel and a hint of booze. Just a bit of oxidation creeping in due to my imperfect cellar conditions. Taste is more caramel, light raisin, some vague sweetness and just the start of oxidation. Mouthfeel is fantastic, full and rich wrapping the tongue but not overly sweet or sticky. Carbonation is still good. Overall, delightful. I am going to enjoy the rest of this now and check out what everyone else is drinking.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Wow, Anchor Old Foghorn 12oz bottled 2/5/14 8.8% ABV. Pour is muddled brown in color showing red highlights in brighter light. Head is light tan and lasts a minute receding into a fine ring around the glass. Smell is caramel and a hint of booze. Just a bit of oxidation creeping in due to my imperfect cellar conditions. Taste is more caramel, light raisin, some vague sweetness and just the start of oxidation. Mouthfeel is fantastic, full and rich wrapping the tongue but not overly sweet or sticky. Carbonation is still good. Overall, delightful. I am going to enjoy the rest of this now and check out what everyone else is drinking.
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4.1/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a snulip has a bright amber body without foam. No head, no lacing, and barely a ring of bubbles.
Aroma in stone fruit, fresh leather, and noble hops.
Flavors match combined with sweet malt.
Mouthfeel leans thin, light, and clean. Not remotely chewy, and me likey.
An American classic.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle poured into a snulip has a bright amber body without foam. No head, no lacing, and barely a ring of bubbles.
Aroma in stone fruit, fresh leather, and noble hops.
Flavors match combined with sweet malt.
Mouthfeel leans thin, light, and clean. Not remotely chewy, and me likey.
An American classic.
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3.82/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.01/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a brilliantly clear deep amber with a very thin, almost non-existent whit head. No lacing. Smells of plum, raisin, sweet sugary malt, and spicy noble hops. Similar flavor, with the emphasis on the raisin and sweet sugary malt with a touch of toffee and the spicy hops almost as an afterthought. Feel is rich yet thin, very bitter yet very sweet. Interest feel for sure. Easier to take large mouthfuls compared to most sense and chewy barleywines. Overall, this is a classic and delicious American barleywines, and the original for the U.S. A true pioneer, and holds up to todays competition, at least for me. Cheers!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a brilliantly clear deep amber with a very thin, almost non-existent whit head. No lacing. Smells of plum, raisin, sweet sugary malt, and spicy noble hops. Similar flavor, with the emphasis on the raisin and sweet sugary malt with a touch of toffee and the spicy hops almost as an afterthought. Feel is rich yet thin, very bitter yet very sweet. Interest feel for sure. Easier to take large mouthfuls compared to most sense and chewy barleywines. Overall, this is a classic and delicious American barleywines, and the original for the U.S. A true pioneer, and holds up to todays competition, at least for me. Cheers!
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4.27/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a clear amber brown producing a 3 finger, beige, lasting head that settles thin cap with a mound-like island cap of foam & leaving a beautiful, Jack Frost coating of lacing. Aroma is fruity & sweet caramel malt, dark bread, raisin, fig, cherry, brown sugar, cinnamon, wood, alcohol, spiced & a hint of something ethyl acetate like. Taste is similar but sweeter with woody oak/vanilla & bourbon notes (I don't believe that this is oak aged) with bitter roast & earthy hop tones in the finish & aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied with moderate carbonation, wet & juicy, prickly & lightly grainy with a drawing aftertaste.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours a clear amber brown producing a 3 finger, beige, lasting head that settles thin cap with a mound-like island cap of foam & leaving a beautiful, Jack Frost coating of lacing. Aroma is fruity & sweet caramel malt, dark bread, raisin, fig, cherry, brown sugar, cinnamon, wood, alcohol, spiced & a hint of something ethyl acetate like. Taste is similar but sweeter with woody oak/vanilla & bourbon notes (I don't believe that this is oak aged) with bitter roast & earthy hop tones in the finish & aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium-heavy bodied with moderate carbonation, wet & juicy, prickly & lightly grainy with a drawing aftertaste.
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4.23/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Anchor Old Foghorn from Anchor Brewing Company
3.93
out of 5
based on 1,986 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle expired in May 2017 drunk in August 2017. Dark mogany color, one finger ofwhite head. Smell and taste are all about oxidation but in a good way as you would expect from barley wine, sweet,complex, bitter. Midly carbonated, medium body. Enjoyed it quite a lot but i have to drink it fresh and then compare it
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