Ganko Oyaji No Barley Wine 2007-2011
Baird Brewing Company / Fishmarket Taproom

Had this on tap at Popeye in Ryogoku, Tokyo. Poured into a snifter. Strong hops smell with rutabaga and yams. Translucent burgundy hue with a thin bubbly head. Very spicy with bits of oyster in the smell and taste. Strong ethanol as it warms. No lacing present in the beginning or the end, even after swirling. Overall, an outstanding barleywine from a great brewer.

A - Pours an amber brown color from a bomber into my mini Duvel tulip with a half-finger beige head which quickly settles cleanly to a ring of foam around the glass (4)

S - Big grapefruity hop aromas, sweet caramel, malts and phenols on the nose (4)

T - Intense malt flavors upfront decked with syrupy caramel sweetness; solid notes of grassy hops, grapefruit and alcohol phenols fill the middle; grapefruit flavors last to the finish leaving some notes of citrus notes and a mild bitterness in the after taste (4)

M - Full-bodied thickness with below moderate carbonation and a slightly syrupy and creamy smooth texture; alcohol warming was surprisingly insignificant (4)

D - Good and balanced flavors, very sweet but not cloying; alcohol seemed extremely well hidden as well. Commendable drinkability for a Barley Wine style brew (4)

Purchased the last bottle of this from The Foundry at Mohd Sultan, Singapore. This Japanese Barley Wine is flavorful and very well balanced in nature; immaculate hiding of the alcohol and pretty approachable for a Barley Wine.

Relatively clear mahogany colour with bright ruby highlights. Nice, creamy, tan head with poor retention.

Rich alcoholic aroma with notes of chocolate and toffee. Really intense and appropriate for an English IPA.

Rounded, intensely sweet palate with spicy alcohol, fruit and a moderately-high bitterness that helps to counter the malt. Just dry enough. Good.

Medium-full body with moderately-low carbonation. Nice.

A well rounded English Barleywine that is dry enough to have me coming back for more. Tasty.

Bottle lists four ingredients: Malt, yeast, hops, sugar

Nice dark brown body, small very tight white head. Amazingly tight lacing.
Nice malty caramel aroma, ｆresh hoppy citrus (lime mostly).
Nice malt with hints of caramel, and a nice burly hoppyness.
Smooth as any beer I have ever had. Nice integration of the alcohol. Great.
This is a easy drinking beer, despite its impressive alcohol strength. I like this beer alot and regret its only available seasonably.