Traditional Barleywine (for Oscar Wong)
Zebulon Artisan Ales
- From:
- Zebulon Artisan Ales
- North Carolina, United States
- Style:
- English Barleywine
- ABV:
- 11.3%
- Score:
- +8 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 0.74%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 08, 2026
- Added:
- Mar 01, 2026
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
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A showcase of the finest English Maris Otter malt, concentrated with a six hour boil. Traditional English hops hang on for dear life against the waves of intense malt and caramel. A perfect sipper in front of a fire. Aging potential of at least 10 years.
Ingredients: English Maris Otter malt, crystal wheat, English hops.
Ingredients: English Maris Otter malt, crystal wheat, English hops.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by ATL6245 from Georgia
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Clear brown with ruby highlights. No head.
Aroma: Fruity - dark fruits and grapes.
Flavor: Dark fruits, grapes, caramel. Low bitterness. Semi-dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Semi-dry. Moderate length finish with trailing bitterness.
Overall: This English style barleywine is quite different than most I've had. I mean that in a good way. It is amazingly dry but not in a high bitterness kind of way like many American Barleywines. Also has fruity notes I rarely get - dark fruits and grapes. Very nice aroma. This reminds me of a drier version of a Doppelbock - for lack of a better, more familiar comparison. I appreciate the nod to Oscar Wong too; legendary founder of Highland Brewing in NC. Thanks to @carolinacardinals!
May 08, 2026Aroma: Fruity - dark fruits and grapes.
Flavor: Dark fruits, grapes, caramel. Low bitterness. Semi-dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Semi-dry. Moderate length finish with trailing bitterness.
Overall: This English style barleywine is quite different than most I've had. I mean that in a good way. It is amazingly dry but not in a high bitterness kind of way like many American Barleywines. Also has fruity notes I rarely get - dark fruits and grapes. Very nice aroma. This reminds me of a drier version of a Doppelbock - for lack of a better, more familiar comparison. I appreciate the nod to Oscar Wong too; legendary founder of Highland Brewing in NC. Thanks to @carolinacardinals!
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
4.03/5 rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
Picked up a 2026 500 ml bottle while at the Zebulon 10th Anniversary 2-28-26 for $12.00.
Beer poured dark brown with very little to no head.
Nose has notes of caramel, burnt brown sugar, and dark fruit.
Taste is a malt base that brings an intense burnt brown sugar and caramel combination. Getting some raisins and figs on the back end. Alcohol warming is definitely present. Hopping takes care of most of the big malt base leaving a EBW style appropriate level of sweetness.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied but lacks any kind of smoothness and viscosity.
Overall, it took me multiple sips to get the nuances this brew brings. While mediocre in look and feel, the nose and taste are worth it.
Apr 18, 2026Beer poured dark brown with very little to no head.
Nose has notes of caramel, burnt brown sugar, and dark fruit.
Taste is a malt base that brings an intense burnt brown sugar and caramel combination. Getting some raisins and figs on the back end. Alcohol warming is definitely present. Hopping takes care of most of the big malt base leaving a EBW style appropriate level of sweetness.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied but lacks any kind of smoothness and viscosity.
Overall, it took me multiple sips to get the nuances this brew brings. While mediocre in look and feel, the nose and taste are worth it.
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