The Shizzle
Drake's Brewing Co.

 

 

 

On tap at The Surly Goat in West Hollywood, CA.

Pours a murky dark brown with a beige head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of huge bourbon and wood aromas with some malt. Taste is of malt, vanilla, bourbon, and wood with a slight sourness on the finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good barrel aged barleywine but the slight sourness I am picking up is somewhat unexpected.

On tap at Local Habit in San Diego. Apparently part of Drake’s Barrel Program. I was told this is part Porter and part Barleywine, but barrel-aged as a blend, or separately? In any case, it's a big boozy beer.

Not much head, and nearly flat after a few minutes of sipping. Nearly clear reddish brown in the tulip glass, so where's the Porter? Clean and tart on top of the big malty, mellow flavor. Depth of flavor is impressive, but it has that high note as well as the dark hint of black malt. Less sweet than a lot of Barley Wines. Lots of caramel along with the woody taste and dark roasted toastiness.

Seems like a new kind of drink, a strong malty mixed drink that tastes more like brandy or Madiera. Quite sippable and seems to please the ladies. Just needs a cherry on a toothpick and your phone number on a beer mat.