Hedone
Alpha Acid Brewing Co.

- From:
- Alpha Acid Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Barleywine
- ABV:
- 18%
- Score:
- +7 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.24 | pDev: 1.65%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 27, 2024
- Added:
- Jul 02, 2024
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
Montgomery cherry juice concentrate introduced into the primary fermentation of the Barleywine base. By adding the tart nectar gradually, they rate that sugars converted to alcohol was controlled, achieving a massive 18% ABV with a balanced fruity character. Matured in cherry brandy barrels and Russell’s Reserve bourbon barrels for 18 months before blending.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I had fears of barrel aged cough syrup style sadness but this works well. Plenty of sticky barleywine sweetness and lots of pleasantly bruising booze compliment the tart cherries nicely. 18% ain't shy but I'm really liking this one.
Dec 27, 2024Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.26/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
May 2024 vintage
This is my first beer from Alpha Acid and it seems like one hell of a beer to start with. I’m hoping the addition of cherries will offset the sweetness of this massive Barleywine, but I do fear it may be a bit too sweet. Either way, this should be a fun way to start and end my night. Let’s get into it
Pours a very dark amber brown with a finger of soapy light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The cherries dominate the nose but it’s not one note, the barrel brings some nice complexity. I’m picking up on aromas of stewed cherry, brown sugar, molasses, burnt caramel, earthy bourbon, poached pear, apple skim, walnut, dry oak, and light maple
It’s even more cherry forward in taste, but really everything is amplified here. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting black cherry, brown sugar, walnug, maple candy, creme brûlée, molasses, poached pear, smooth oak, vanilla, and light bourbon. The swallow brings notes of stewed cherry, molasses, hot bourbon, nocino, dry oak, burnt caramel, vanilla bean, red grape, apple skin, and toffee
A medium full body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes neutral with slight boozy tingle, not at all indicative of the 18%
This one is actually really good. Sweet of course, but well rounded and drinks ridiculously easy
Oct 16, 2024This is my first beer from Alpha Acid and it seems like one hell of a beer to start with. I’m hoping the addition of cherries will offset the sweetness of this massive Barleywine, but I do fear it may be a bit too sweet. Either way, this should be a fun way to start and end my night. Let’s get into it
Pours a very dark amber brown with a finger of soapy light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The cherries dominate the nose but it’s not one note, the barrel brings some nice complexity. I’m picking up on aromas of stewed cherry, brown sugar, molasses, burnt caramel, earthy bourbon, poached pear, apple skim, walnut, dry oak, and light maple
It’s even more cherry forward in taste, but really everything is amplified here. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting black cherry, brown sugar, walnug, maple candy, creme brûlée, molasses, poached pear, smooth oak, vanilla, and light bourbon. The swallow brings notes of stewed cherry, molasses, hot bourbon, nocino, dry oak, burnt caramel, vanilla bean, red grape, apple skin, and toffee
A medium full body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes neutral with slight boozy tingle, not at all indicative of the 18%
This one is actually really good. Sweet of course, but well rounded and drinks ridiculously easy
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
4.14/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.14/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Very dark blackish opaque brown body with a brown cap. Dark cherry meets candied maraschino cherry with brandy backing and earthy barley in nose. Taste leans way more into that sweet cherry, barley is barely there honestly, getting more caramel and dark fruit with mild roast and dark wood. Feels dry and warm, doesn’t carry the sugars, which is nice, barley is actually felt, the booze is controlled impressively well given the high abv. Great for early summer evenings
Sep 11, 2024
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!