Tree Of Light
Tree House Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

Poured at fridge temp. Pours a very dark brown - borderline black. Pours almost still and then a tiny layer of head appears (and then quickly disappears). No bubbles can be seen.

The nose is full of rich toffee and bourbon. Wow. Intense. Prunes, dates, figs, and raisins come through with equal intensity as well. A hint of tobacco and oak.

The taste is intense. Sweet upfront. Quite sweet. Maple, toffee, plums, raisins, figs, some chocolate, brown sugar, and a nice layer of vanilla. It's incredible. I feel like this is much more than the sum of the parts. While each flavor kicks ass on its own, its the masterful integration that makes this rise up quite high. The relative lack of carbonation also intensifies the flavors, which works really well here.

The mouthfeel is very thick and creamy - almost stout like. Sweet on the aftertaste. Although the ABV isn't listed, it definitely feels like something up around 13%. A bit of a boozy burn on the way down. Overall, an absolutely treat.

Glad to finally try a straight up barrel aged barleywine from Tree House. This reminded me of Grandpa as soon as I opened the bottle, bourbon and Werther's Original minus the Camel smoke greeted my nose. On the tongue this is mellow and profoundly good. Butterscotch, toffee, and a trace of chocolate liqueur provide a nice base for the rich bourbon additions. I get a little oaky tobacco at the finish. Very nice.

12 oz bottle poured into a red wine glass. Pours a dark reddish brown with a moderate head and some lacing. Aroma and flavor feature brown dark roasted malts, bourbon, vanilla, creme brulee, caramel, dark fruit, citrus rind bitterness offset by brown sugar, and butterscotch. Complex and delicious stuff. Mouthfeel is surprisingly smooth for the abv - you can tell it's a big beer but it's not all that boozy. Overall this is a special beer.

 

Pours a deep, dark brown color. Aroma is incredibly complex sweetness of bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar and caramel with significant oakiness. Taste is equally complex & well balanced. Brown sugar, caramel & bourbon starts the taste; ending with vanilla & oaky. Mouthfeel is full like good barleywines should be. Overall, one of the best barleywines I've had pleasure to drink.