No. 20 BARLEYWINE
The Freehouse

 

2016 Version

L-Deep Russet Brown color....maybe a little darker than that with ruby highlights...minimal head..darker colored than most BW's

S-Rich caramel combined with port/sherry like aromatics. Berries...all malt on the aroma..

T-Melted caramel....toffee....hints of molasses....all malt...great taste...reminds me of a maltier Old Horizontal.....Berries and dark fruits in the background....tastes like it has been aged a few years with a pronounced vinous flavor..

F-I think this one was 10-11% ABV and the heat and sharpness from the booze is nowhere to be found. Drinks easy....not as much body as I'd like and carbonation seems low as I drink it even though it seemed to pour with some vigor.

O-One of the best tasting Barley Wines I've had. I like a sweeter, port like BW and this is it.

Poured a clear, amber color with a small, white head of foam. It smelled of sweet maltiness, caramel, toffee and some spices. Good blend of maltiness, caramel, toffee, spicy bitterness and some pine. It was crisp and smooth. A medium to full bodied ale.

The 2014 Barleywine was good. It oured a nice deep caramel with not head and no lace. The scent was a perfect balance for caramel and brandy. The taste was a bit potent but the sweetness and brandy balance helped to keep it quite tasty. The mouthfeel was fuller in body with little carbonation. Overall....very nice!