Winter Sweet Tooth
Southern Grist Brewing Co.

Thanks to Buck89 for this one.
A stunningly deep burnished copper hue pushes a mocha toned fluff nearly 2 fingers high. But this cap quickly retreats to a slight film.When held up to the light, a ruby to amber shine glimmers on the edge.
Aroma is sweet but not overly so. Notes of caramel and toasty marshmallows start off. Undercurrents of date, cocoa, vanilla, and char follow.
More cocoa forward than caramel in flavor. I'm picking up smooth vanilla, marshmallow, dates, figs, a rich round charred wood akin to rye barrel. But it does come back to caramel after all. Hmm full circle.
Mouthfeel is slightly fuller than expected for style. But it's really nice. Carbonation is light.
Overall, when I first poured I was thinking this was an imperial stout, (I had not read the label in a while). For lovers of barleywine, this one has aged well but it is a tad hefty for the style. If one is not a stickler, this is one helluva nice ride.

Deep, dark garnet, but clear, with a bubbly tan head quickly dying to an almost clear bubbly uneven collar.

This is definitely more barleywine than pastry-wine, even closer to an American style at times, as some firey woody bitterness peeks its head in from time to time. The English does take precedent, though, with that classic plum and fig character, as well as some caramel, heat and graham. Only as it warms do notes of marshmallow and other pastry characteristics arise, but they do so with a deft, mild touch.

The slick, medium-light body has a crackly carbonation and finishes semi-sticky.

 

 

 

On tap at the source. A beautiful copper-ruby color with a thin light tan head. Aroma revealed caramel, toffee, faint chocolate, and vanilla. Soft and not overwhelming. The taste followed. Not overly sweet as there was enough bitterness for balance. Really enjoyable.