Bare Knuckle Barley Wine
Black Label Brewing Company

Brewery tap-filled can, poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a medium to dark reddish orange with a two finger light khaki head with good retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt, fresh and dried plums, raisins and a hint of orange. Flavor is dry caramel malt, dried plums, raisins, hints of citrus and a little licorice; mild hop bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Mostly an English style barleywine profile, but with a little brighter citrus and mixed fruit notes and a little bitterness. Not as much dark dried fruit as a classic English style, but presented as simply a barleywine, it has some hybrid quality. Basically solid and pleasant, the aroma is subdued, but the flavor is full, particularly as it warms. The brewery filled 16 oz. cans are a great size for these big brews where even a half growler would be daunting. My only barleywine from my Spokane trip and a good one.