Evolution Chamber #3
Masthead Brewing Co.

Pours cola black with a slim dark brown head that fades quickly. Definitely getting the barleywine smell on the nose - sweet and fruity, full of raisins and dark fruit. The maple is there. Tastewise, a bit of carbonation begets some syrupy sweetness after all the over flavors pass. Burns going down. Syrupy quality, a little spice (as in sasparilla) along with the above fruit. Vanilla notes, chocolate background. A bit of char, leathery goodness. Yet, this one doesn't feel as heavy-bodied as might be expected from the size. It perhaps comes down to the carbonation, which could be dialed back a touch. Solid, enjoyable though!

Can dated 10/27/25

Pours a dark mahogany with two fingers of quickly dissipating head. Nose is maple, raisin, dark fruit, vanilla. Taste is vanilla, maple, bourbon, char barrel, chocolate. Mouthfeel is medium body, but carbonation is elevated for my liking. Finish is vanilla, dark chocolate, bourbon and faint sarsaparilla.

 

Look - Pours a super dark blackish brown color with a nice brown head that lasts a few minutes.

Smell - Dark fruit, maple syrup, and bourbon.

Taste - Maple syrup, figs, bourbon.

Feel - Feels about average for a 14%ABV beer.

Overall - A decent beer. Though for some reason, maple isn't one of my favorite beer adjuncts even though I like maple syrup.