High Society: BBA Barleywine
Listermann Brewing Company

 

12 ounce bottle, no dating on it that I noticed. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a dark brown/copper color with about a half inch light tan head that fizzled away quickly. There's not much lacing at all. I like the aroma, the brew smells like caramel, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, coffee, and some dark fruit (raisins). For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some oak and brown sugar flavors. It's definitely a sweeter tasting barleywine. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's smooth and a bit slick with a low/moderate amount of carbonation. I wish the coffee flavor in this was stronger but that's a minor gripe as it's still a pretty good brew. If you like sweet barleywines I recommend this one! $6.99 a bottle.

Look - Really Really dark brown incredibly hazy slight disappearing head.
Smell - Smells like cold coffee with bourbon added to it.
Taste - Vanilla, Caramel, Bourbon and Coffee
Feel - Very Smooth, Full syrupy body with a light carbonation
Overall - So So Good.

 

12 fl. oz. bottle
Served in a snifter

It gushed as soon as I popped the top, but I did not lose much beer. it was a quick burst unlike some where a third to half the bottle is gone by the time I reach the sink. It poured a murky brown color with deep amber highlights. After all the foam gushed out there wasn't much head on this beer. There was a fleeting tan head that leaves no lacing.

I could smell coffee as soon as I opened the bottle. Once I got it poured and stuck my nose in the glass I could smell a perfect combination of coffee and bourbon. I get coffee, toffee, caramel, vanilla and a little booze. It is a wonderful aroma.

The taste is every bit as good as the smell. The bourbon flavor is mellow and comes through as caramel and vanilla with a complimentary amount of coffee. I feared an infected beer after it gushed, but I detect no off flavors, only delicious flavors.

Full, syrupy mouthfeel and silky smooth with low carbonation, at least after the initial gushing.

I have a good friend that lives in the northern KY and brings me a lot of Listermann/Triple Digit beer because he is a big fan, and I like them quite a bit myself. This beer is a home run in my opinion. I love everything about it other than the fact that it gushed upon opening. The smell was incredible and the taste was amazing. I knocked it a little on the look due to the gushing, but overall a great beer of which I wish I had more bottles.