Old Familiar
Carolina Brewery

 

 

 

On tap at the brewery. I am only fully reviewing because the abv was blank on here. I can confirm it is 8.5% and it's delicious. I'm between this and the black IPA for which growler I'm taking. I absolutely love this brewery. The best part, if you eat there, they will bus you to UNC Tar Heel games FREE. Highly recommended.

 

Poured from a bomber into a snifter, the beer is a dark, opaque, amber-brown coloring with a thin, dense ring of cream colored head. Nose of rich caramel, chocolate notes, and overtones of old world fruit sweetness, including fig, date, and raisin. Rich, layered aromas. Flavors are very tangy, with a bittersweet chocolate backbone supporting caramel, roast, and old world fruit flavors. There is also a subtle overlay of grapefruit sweetness that peaks its head out here and there. Very layered and richly sweet palate. The body is smooth and robust, with a roasted and sweet aftertaste of caramel and fruit. Slick, smooth finish with a rich linger. Solid brew, but heavy, making it a great cold weather sipper.

Go Wolfpack

Go to Hell Carolina

appearance: The beer comes to me in an overflowing snifter, and is a deep, reddish brown in color. The head is a light tan in color, and pretty slight.

smell and taste: No real reason to separate these two. At first I thought it might have been the ribs I had just eaten, but I seriously doubt that. Strongly medicinal. I've heard of the "wet band-aid" descriptor many times, but had never experienced it before this. Hard to pick out the hops behind all this mess. A considerable level of malt sweetness does come through, along with some heavy caramel grain flavors.

mouthfeel: The carbonation is on the low, smooth side of the medium range. The body is full, and somewhat slick.

drinkability: Surprisingly, given everything I've said, the drinkability was not that bad. But during the last few minutes of the Pack - GA Tech game I was watching, any form of alcohol would've been acceptable.

Served in goblet this beer had a deep amber color to it. Thin head that was mostly lasting and left some lacing. Aroma was about that of a typical barley wine. Very complex, giving both malts and hops. Taste was just as complex. Not the most complex barley wine I've had, but very good. Alcohol was not the least bit shy. Can't remember the exact strength, but it is noticeable.