Barrel Aged Moose Killer
Tampa Bay Brewing Co.

16 oz can. Total Wine Tampa

The aroma is very malty and moderately sweet with caramel and grassy/pine hops. The appearance is copper brown with a lacy fine head. The taste is like the aroma, it's sweet but not overly so. It has quite the astringent bit from the hops. The palate is smooth from the foamy carbonation and chewy character. Overall a nice barley-wine but could be improved by dialing back the bitterness.

Bought on a whim. I was feeling like a barleywine and this is all my Total Wine had. I am now on my second 4 pack. Malty character with little head. I don't find it overly sweet either. 11% is well hidden. I like this a lot!

Poured from a 16 oz can bought in Tampa.

L - Dark amber or light brown color with some light haze. Nice tan head sticks to the surface and to the glass as lace.

S - Strong malt aromas, with bread, brown sugar and light raisins/dried fruit.The whiskey barrels are also evident as caramel, vanilla, wood and whiskey.

T - The flavors are also just as expected for a barrel-aged barleywine. The notes are rye bread, caramel, raisins, prunes and even a bit of soy sauce. The flavors become cleaner in the finish and some barrel and whiskey notes become evident.

F - Medium to thick body with some mouth-coating sweetness. Strong, creamy carbonation. Medium to high hops bitterness. Strong alcohol heat, but not overly boozy.

O - This is a good barrel-aged beer. I enjoyed it, but it is not one of the best I've had. I am a barleywine fan and a BA beer fan, but even for me this is a bit too sweet and cloying to be a true classic.

Update after tasting on tap at the brewhouse in Ybor City:
The sensations I cited from the canned sample are similar, but the draught version seems lighter and less sweet, so the overall impression is better. Somehow this beer manages to be mellow while also having massive, in-your-face wood character. I have updated the rating numbers for this draught version.