Tenebris (Ghost 101)
Adroit Theory Brewing Company

 

This version has an ABV of 10%, according to the label on the pint can. Its contents have been completely emptied into a clear glass liter mug. This is very carbonated, so there was a generous head that relaxed rather quickly. It soon became a modest light biege head that appears to be enduring. The brew is dark copper, almost brown, on the opaque side despite having a clean and bright character. Although it looks rich and there was an initial hit to the nose of molasses and something fruity, like figs, the aroma seems to have faded. Still, the taste is bold and the molasses isn't shy about introducing itself to the palate. But, there's more. There's plenty of barley malt, plenty of alcohol and a fruity presence that brings references to cherries, figs and apples, on that order. Like most in the category, this is sweet and potent to the degree that it can only be sipped. Not only is it very sweet, the body is rich and viscous. It just isn't built for quaffing. Few Barleywines are. Overall, it's a lovely color, was upfront with an enticing aroma and has a solid body. But, it also has a detrimental alcohol burn, which doesn't pair well with all its sweetness. The head didn't sustain, although this took longer than most pints to finish. No surprise, glass lacing was absent. Finally, there's no doubt this is not the exact version previously reviewed. The ABV has changed and looking at a couple previous reviews, it's obviously changed somewhat.

Bottle at share courtesy of Toby, Near black pour with small ring of beige head. Aroma is malty and sweet,small savory notes. Taste brings some caramel malts and more savory notes, carried on a nice thick, full body.

"Ghost 699"

Pours a murky brown-burgundy with a finger of khaki foam. Head retention is okay. Aroma is fig, dark fruits, stone fruits, brown sugar, molasses, toffee and red grapes. Flavor profile is dark and stone fruits, molasses, brown sugar, molasses, fig, caramel and toffee. It's ultra sweet, to the point of being cloying. Mouth feel is medium with a thin, still texture. Overall, sweet with a thin consistency that detracts from it a bit.

Served in a 15.5oz Spiegalau tulip from a 22oz bottle.

 

$ 18.23 (Including shipping)/22 oz bottle ($ 0.829/oz) from Tavour, Seattle, WA. Reviewed 3/31/19.
“Bottled 01/17/19” at top of label, “No. 0049/2000, Ghost 699”. Stored at 42 degrees and served at 54 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Appearance – 3
Body – Dark brown/black, opaque. When held to the light, amber and translucent.
Head – Small (Maximum one cm, aggressive center pour), fizzy, gone in a few seconds leaving no cap.
Lacing – None
First pour – Amber, clear.
Aroma – 4 – Begins with the predominant odor of dried “dark fruit” and ends with a hint of alcohol.
Flavor – 4 - Begins with some “dark fruit”. Allowing it to warm in my mouth allows the alcohol (9.0% ABV) to numb my tongue but doesn’t contribute to the flavor. Ends sweet, just short of cloying. No diacetyl, no dimethylsulfide, no hops.
Palate – 4 – Full, almost syrupy, soft carbonation.
Impression and interpretation – 3.75 – The lack of any head other than fleeting, along with the absence of lacing, lowers the overall rating. At 9.0% ABV the alcohol level would permit a head, but I guess this is just protein-starved. The aroma is fine as is the flavor. Overall, somewhat disappointing.

 

 

A: This poured an opaque dark copper with a little tan head.
S: It smelled like wild honey and whole grain bread and earthy caramel, with some nutty malt and banana and clove.
T: It tasted like wild honey and whole grain bread, with some nutty malt and earthy caramel and banana and clove. It had a clean sweet afterraste.
M: It was oily with some carbonation. Decent body.
D: This was a nice brew with relatively mild scent and taste, almost more like a quad. The body was good and the finish was smooth with well hidden alcohol, so it was easy to drink. No need to age although it could last years. Ultimately enjoyable but forgettable.

 

 

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a tulip glass.

Look is a slightly hazy amber with no head.

Aroma is kinda like a Belgian dubbel. Lots of dark red fruits and a candy sugar note at the end.

Taste is just like a dubbel. A little estery for a barleywine, but a great beer.

 

375 mL bottle numbered 600 of 1250, poured into Teku glass and allowed to warm for an hour per bottle instructions on temperature.

L: 1F head which doesn't last very long. leaving a thin cap and ring, which does persist. Beer is a pretty deep cordovan, deeper than you might expect. It's not a great look, to be honest.

S: Nose is of caramel, dark dried fruits, and I'm getting oak barrel, but as this is not barrel-aged, I think my nose is fooling me. I don't know.

T: Taste largely follows nose. Caramel and dried plums and figs. Not too sweet, which is much appreciated. Also not too boozy, but that may take a little bit away from the body. Only a tiny bit of ABV heat on the finish.

F: Medium bodied or a little more. No carbonation to speak of. Body is a little bit loose and watery, but not badly so. Balance is pretty decent.

O: A decent barleywine made locally.

L: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a cloudy consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Not much lacing to speak of.

S: A decent aroma of dark fruit, malt, and a bit of caramel, as well.

T: Tasted of some malt notes, a good shot of dark fruit (raisins, in particular), light caramel notes, a light hoppy presence, a grainy / earthiness, and a resinous quality. The flavor here isn't quite as aggressive as as it should be, but it has its good points. Fairly tasty.

F: A below average amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Medium-bodied, though thinner than some other American barleywines.

O: This is an uneven beer in many respects, but is still drinkable. Worth a look.

It's moderately cloudy and a ruddy brown. There's a thin fizzy tan head that quickly burns off. The aroma is deep and rich, with dark fruit, toffee, and just a hint of hops to balance it. The taste is good and similar to the aroma but doesn't quite offer the same depth. The body is just a little thinner than expected with just a hint of carbonation.