Gold King
Wren House Brewing Co.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a medium to dark reddish orange with a fine, two finger light khaki head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, toffee, vanilla and hints of light stone fruit. Flavor is caramel malt, toffee, apricot and peach, raisins, mild plum and a touch of bourbon and oaky vanilla. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess, nice mouth feel. Although clearly an English inspired barleywine, this one leans towards lighter stone fruit rather than dark plum and dates, although plum and raisin is here in the background. I'm only getting a touch of bourbon and oak so perhaps the stone fruit is typical of this bourbon, which I've never tried. Although I'm a huge fan of English barleywines, I like the hybrid English/American ones that have lighter fruit notes in them, although this is not hoppy and otherwise does not resemble the latter style. Rich, fruity and well made. I liked this a lot. ABV well covered.

 

Had on tap. Dark brown semi-opaque pour with a tan ring. Smell has those beautiful blantons barrels imbibing this barley and caramel malt with rich toffee, molasses, toasty oak and vanillins. This is a wonderful dessert barleywine without any gimmicks, take everything from the nose but add creme brulee, dark fruits and a hint of dry earth. The toffee, bourbon, barley and raisin just linger forever. Feel is silky smooth and brighter for style, but rich, warm, has great booze and oak, however the depth is slightly lower overall. The wife loved it