Arctic Devil Barley Wine
Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
- From:
- Midnight Sun Brewing Co.
- Alaska, United States
- Style:
- English Barleywine
Ranked #41 - ABV:
- 13.2%
- Score:
- 97
Ranked #759 - Avg:
- 4.36 | pDev: 8.26%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 411
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 21, 2026
- Added:
- Mar 24, 2005
- Wants:
- 986
- Gots:
- 300
SCORE
97
World-Class
97
World-Class
Arctic Devil Barley Wine, aptly named after the ferocious wolverine of the north, is an English-style (meaning malt-inclined) barley wine. Though the recipe and process for Arctic Devil have evolved over the years, it is brewed once a year then aged in oak barrels for several months before the entire batch is blended, bottled and released.
In its youth, Arctic Devil gnarls and snarls its way across the palate. Containing this beast of a beer for long periods in oak barrels--some having previously aged port, wine or whiskey--tames the unleashed malt and fierce hop flavors, melding and mellowing this powerful liquid into an incredible elixir worthy of a brewer's table.
Each annual batch of Arctic Devil Barley Wine represents the brewers' resolve to create an intriguing and sought-after barley wine by precisely brewing to well-designed specifications, carefully selecting the type and combination of barrels to use for aging, and meticulously checking the beer as it ages. Distinct nuance and complexity are contributed by the wood's previous tenants, resulting in unique flavor profiles in each batch that continue to change over time. We invite you to savor Arctic Devil Barley Wine upon its release then cellar some for future enjoyment.
20 IBU
In its youth, Arctic Devil gnarls and snarls its way across the palate. Containing this beast of a beer for long periods in oak barrels--some having previously aged port, wine or whiskey--tames the unleashed malt and fierce hop flavors, melding and mellowing this powerful liquid into an incredible elixir worthy of a brewer's table.
Each annual batch of Arctic Devil Barley Wine represents the brewers' resolve to create an intriguing and sought-after barley wine by precisely brewing to well-designed specifications, carefully selecting the type and combination of barrels to use for aging, and meticulously checking the beer as it ages. Distinct nuance and complexity are contributed by the wood's previous tenants, resulting in unique flavor profiles in each batch that continue to change over time. We invite you to savor Arctic Devil Barley Wine upon its release then cellar some for future enjoyment.
20 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by AdmiralOzone:
Reviewed by AdmiralOzone from Minnesota
4.57/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.57/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This bottle dated 2024. Pours a murky dark brown with a thick but short-lived tan head. Minimal lacing. Aroma is caramel malt, stone fruit, toffee and oak. Flavor follows the nose, sweet without being cloying. Feel is medium bodied, light carbonation. Overall, fabulous.
Oct 24, 2025More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
4.09/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark, brown color. Medium-sized, off-white head. Toffees, dried fruits, and caramel in the aroma. Malty taste with moderate sweetness. Rich and well-balanced.
Apr 11, 2025
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho
4.49/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Review: 2150
Name: Arctic Devil
Brewery: Midnight Sun Brewing
Location: Anchorage, AK
Style: Barrel-aged Barleywine
ABV: 13.2%
Date: 2020
I have been saving this beer for the last four years. It is my first beer to try from Midnight Sun since I could not get Panty Peeler. I am serving the beer in a tulip glass at 48 degrees. The pour created a frothy and creamy light tan one-fingered head. The retention on the beer's head is awful; it came. It came and went like a high school prom, forgettable. The quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The beer's color is SRM 26, dark brown with ruby hues, and the beer is primarily opaque with some light piercing the mass. The appearance of the beer is average. I would have liked to see some head and retention.
The initial aromas I smell are oak, malt, and hops. The beer's barrel aging added depth with oak, light char, and resin components. The malt complex is rich and deep with notes of toasted bread crust, lightly doughy, and a hint of roasty notes. The hops are noticeable after four years, with pine, floral blossoms, and light grassy notes. Other aromas I smell are leather, caramel, treacle, burnt sugar, figs, and a hint of smoke. It smells fantastic, sweeter than I would assimilate with an English Barleywine.
The flavors I taste are malt, hops, and barrel aging. The malt profile is complex and rich with flavors of caramel, toasted bread, light roasty notes, and malty sweetness. The hops are more refined, with floral blossoms, resin, and light herbal notes. The barrel aging added depth and character with flavors of oak and char. Other flavors are leather, molasses, caramel, toffee, earthiness, dark fruit, a hint of chocolate, and a light orange.
The mouthfeel is warming and chewy yet thin with a drier finish. The body is medium-plus and has medium carbonation.
This beer is fabulous; the English Barley wines come out in full force when sipping the beer. The four years on the beer help temper the hefty ABV. I was excited to get this beer and pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I wish I could get more Midnight Sun beers. I might have to make a trip to Alaska.
Jul 29, 2024Name: Arctic Devil
Brewery: Midnight Sun Brewing
Location: Anchorage, AK
Style: Barrel-aged Barleywine
ABV: 13.2%
Date: 2020
I have been saving this beer for the last four years. It is my first beer to try from Midnight Sun since I could not get Panty Peeler. I am serving the beer in a tulip glass at 48 degrees. The pour created a frothy and creamy light tan one-fingered head. The retention on the beer's head is awful; it came. It came and went like a high school prom, forgettable. The quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The beer's color is SRM 26, dark brown with ruby hues, and the beer is primarily opaque with some light piercing the mass. The appearance of the beer is average. I would have liked to see some head and retention.
The initial aromas I smell are oak, malt, and hops. The beer's barrel aging added depth with oak, light char, and resin components. The malt complex is rich and deep with notes of toasted bread crust, lightly doughy, and a hint of roasty notes. The hops are noticeable after four years, with pine, floral blossoms, and light grassy notes. Other aromas I smell are leather, caramel, treacle, burnt sugar, figs, and a hint of smoke. It smells fantastic, sweeter than I would assimilate with an English Barleywine.
The flavors I taste are malt, hops, and barrel aging. The malt profile is complex and rich with flavors of caramel, toasted bread, light roasty notes, and malty sweetness. The hops are more refined, with floral blossoms, resin, and light herbal notes. The barrel aging added depth and character with flavors of oak and char. Other flavors are leather, molasses, caramel, toffee, earthiness, dark fruit, a hint of chocolate, and a light orange.
The mouthfeel is warming and chewy yet thin with a drier finish. The body is medium-plus and has medium carbonation.
This beer is fabulous; the English Barley wines come out in full force when sipping the beer. The four years on the beer help temper the hefty ABV. I was excited to get this beer and pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I wish I could get more Midnight Sun beers. I might have to make a trip to Alaska.
Reviewed by FBarber from Illinois
4.48/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.48/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Thinner barleywine both in appearance and in mouthfeel. Hops are noticeable on the nose. Lots of barrel in the profile with a lovely bourbon barrel aged maple syrup character. Great under the radar barrel aged barleywine.
Jun 15, 2023
Reviewed by Sandis from Minnesota
4.5/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2019 version poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Morning Delight tulip glass. Toffee aroma. Taste is sweet malts, molasses, barrel. Smooth, sweet and boozy.
Nov 11, 2021
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