Barghest Barlywyne
Big Rock Brewery

Barghest BarlywyneBarghest Barlywyne
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From:
Big Rock Brewery
 
Alberta, Canada
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 13.18%
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
11
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 09, 2015
Added:
Nov 17, 2012
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
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Photo of tonyf55
Reviewed by tonyf55 from Canada (AB)

3.4/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
2012 version. From the wax top bottle (#521/3000) into a goblet.

Appearance (3/5): Deep brown to ruby-garnet coloured. Head was little to non-existent (even with the nucleation site at the bottom of the goblet glass). Carbonation was also minimal - as was witnessed in the head formation. Clarity was high, which results in really nice amber and ruby colouring when held to the light.

Aroma (3/5): Sweet dark fruit - a little raisin, grape and date. Light molasses as it warms. No distinct hop aroma. Aromas were a touch understated.

Taste (3.5/5): Sweet, but not overtly cloying. Flavours were port-like, but with a dulled richness. Sweetness lingered after the taste - I picked out raisin and plum.

Mouthfeel (4/5): A delicate and light carbonation that really served the beer well, lending a soft body that finished a little dry. The dryness was really complimented by the bit of alcoholic numbness that coated the pallet on the finish.

Overall (3.5/5): Disappointing lack of head, with a good (but not outstanding) aroma and taste. Mouthfeel fit the style well - as did a lot of other elements. It is just missing an extra layer of depth and richness to bring it into a league with other exceptional barley wines.
Jan 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by shagal from Canada (AB)

May 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by HarveyBerger from Canada (AB)

Feb 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kmat10 from Canada (AB)

May 20, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by artemh from Canada (AB)

Jan 14, 2013
Photo of joemcgrath27
Reviewed by joemcgrath27 from Canada (AB)

3.27/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A - clear very dark amber, very thin head dissipated to some random spots
S - licorice, caramel, prunes, and some alcohol
T - caramel, dates and plumbs, oak woodiness, and some alcohol sweetness
M - medium body but too flat even for a barleywine, and maybe even a little too artificial sweet feel
O - not a bad offering for a barleywine, but its definitely on the flat side and not creamy or full as I would like, the flavour is acceptable even if slightly artificially sweet tasting, not bad given the recent track record of Big Rock`s experiments but nothing worth seeking out ... and whats with the 275ml bottle, its a beer drinkers brew so man up with a full bottle!
Jan 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by philmen from Canada (ON)

Dec 29, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by schnarr84 from Canada (AB)

Dec 05, 2012
Photo of biboergosum
Reviewed by biboergosum from Canada (AB)

3.4/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
275ml black wax-sealed bottle, which comes in a nice black box. The wax on mine has actually dripped down the whole front of the label - very tentacle like. Never heard of a barghest before, so good on Big Rock for getting a style-appropriate 'mascot', I guess.

This beer pours a slightly hazy, deep dark reddish amber hue, with a half finger of tightly foamy tan head, which wisps away quite readily, leaving a few sparse specks of lace around the glass.

It smells of bready caramel malt, toffee, musty dark fruit, tame nutty cocoa, zesty leafy hops, and a rising, steely alcohol heat. The taste is sweet and tangy orchard fruit, cheap (I know) Manischewitz, sugary, but weirdly thin taffy, more leafy, weedy hops, and a murmuring, somewhat edgy booziness.

The carbonation is quite sedate, and barely noticeable, the body an adequate medium weight, and a bit too astringent to be deemed straight-ahead smooth. It finishes still too sweet - the subdued malt, pungent black fruit, and simmering alcohol all kind of standing around and just staring at each other, and me at them.

An ok first try for Big Rock for such a heady beer style - it's got lots of the English version of the style's trademarks - and quite likely a bit too much. The sweetness is seemingly unchecked, and the heat, while not inappropriate, is not really all that well integrated. Oh well, worth checking out, just to see how far this pioneering Alberta brewery is getting on with joining the 21st century craft brewing industry.
Nov 24, 2012
Photo of IronDjinn
Reviewed by IronDjinn from Canada (AB)

2.66/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
Comes sealed in a black box (mine is 721/3000), some nice design on it however the writing gets a bit toothy and awkward in areas. The bottle itself is clear and 275 ml, with black wax around the cap and the neck. Pours out a dark brown that turns to bright garnet when held to direct light. Short tight beige head that settles to a ring.

Sweet raisin and mild chocolate on the nose, some spicy alcohol heat.

The flavour is cloyingly sweet, dates and raisins, with a bit of leafy dryness on the finish. Some toasted malt kicks in on the aftertaste after a while.

The mouthfeel is somewhat light for the style, the texture thin yet sticky, with minimal carbonation.

Well, the packaging and appearance of this is impressive, however things trail off from there. Not sure whether this was bottled far too young, or if a recipe revamp may be required. Would minimally pass as an Old Ale, this really does fall short as a Barley Wine. I will pass on buying another bottle of this during its availability. Now if Big Rock brings back Magpie again next year then they will certainly get more of my money!
Nov 18, 2012
Photo of wordemupg
Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

3.69/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
275ml black waxed bottle #219/3000 poured into tulip 8/11/12

A clear reddish brown but when the light hits it there’s a nice ruby glow, not much for visible bubbles, foam or lace she looks a little still

S burnt brown sugar and toffees mingle well with some vanilla, sugar coated raisins and a little booze, faint earthy notes and molasses

T a little woody and more booze then the nose, a little fortified wine and perhaps just a touch oxidized, just a hint of coco, decent but I preferred the nose

M syrupy with low carbonation but not flat, a little heat and a long nutty finish, sticky on the lips about what I expect from the style

O smells good, feels better then it looks and although I expected very little I actually ended up with a decent brew, the booze could be hidden a little better and could use a few extra bubbles but not bad

I laughed when I was told Big Rock was going to release a Barley Wine but it’s not that bad. That being said I have no plans on buying another to age and with Old Duet on the same shelf for half the price in a bigger bottle I have no reason too
Nov 17, 2012
Barghest Barlywyne from Big Rock Brewery
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 11 ratings