Eggnog Barleywine
WeldWerks Brewing Co.

Appearance: blonde-brown (light caramel) in color with considerable haze. The head is a very brief light tan of artificial-looking bubbles that fade immediately.

Aroma: vinegary-sweet, like tart cider. Nutmeg and cinnamon come through, albeit light. This might be an inviting flavor as a pastry or candle scent, but not in a beer.

Flavor: the nutmeg and cinnamon are present as a generic holiday flavor – enough to balance the sweetness. Alcohol is present in the flavor but not on par with its 10.5% abv. Caramel, brown sugar and toffee flavors. 1-dimensional.

Mouthfeel: this is near egg-nog weight. Damn!

Overall: I don’t know how to feel about this beer. A 6oz pour is a must have. Any volume larger is way too much; just like real eggnog. This beer is very sweet but balanced just enough not to be a drain pour. This beer is worthwhile to try in a very small volume.

 

 

 

 

Cloudy amber appearance, with a thick, bordering on syrup, pour with minimal head. Has a sweet fruity smell, like mango and pineapple, some figs. First taste is thick and sweet, with a distinct spice...must be the nutmeg, and a darker fruit taste than the original smell (figs and raisins). Heavy alcohol seems masked pretty well by the sweetness. Mouthfeel is very thick and creamy, lots of volume. I would imagine the egg yolks and turbinado sugar contribute to the creaminess. This is a very unique beer, and definitely seasoned for the winter holidays. By the middle of the first glass, I was really enjoying this Christmas brew...could have also been the 10.5% abv too. Would like to try this one aged, though the recommendation is to drink it fresh and always cold, as it is made with real egg yolks. Not something I could drink a whole lot of in one sitting, as it's really rich and sweet, but I really like this beer and consider it one of my favorites this season. Hopefully this'll be one that's around next Christmas too.