Novelty Theory Barleywine
Stonecloud Brewing

16oz can served in a nonic glass. Can is dated 07/18/19.

Look- Cloudy mahogany/cola color, modest khaki head which recedes fairly quickly to a thin cap of foam, light lacing. No carbonation streams visible.

Smell- Huge hits of bourbon, caramel/toffee type malts, dark fruits (raisins and dates), syrupy creme brule type vanilla, toasted dark bread, a bit of coconut and cherry.

Taste- Bourbon, rich caramel malt, chocolate, vanilla, dried dark fruits and cherry, burnt sugar and some coconut in there.

Feel- Medium/light bodied with an superbly smooth texture, boozy heat in the finish. Light carbonation on the tongue. A serious stickiness to it.

O- A nice barleywine, wish it was a little less boozy, a little thin for the style too but delicious.

A slightly hazy burnt amber with a craggy froth. The aroma is a real treat with plenty of brown sugar, cherry, plum and pine. More dark fruits on the tongue along with beer bread, brown sugar, and a good bit of alcohol spice before the hints of wood oak and vanilla come in. Medium to heavy in body. The fusel heat is present, but much more sedated than you would expect from a 14.9%-er.

Nothing novel or theoretical about this one. Just some of the best drinking I've done in a while.

Pours a chill-hazed brown with one finger of tan head. A little head retention & lacing

S: Figs, whiskey

T: Follows the nose, oaky & peaty, some booze warmth as well up front. Some leafy hops mix with jammyness & peat as this warms. Finishes boozey, warming , peaty, dry with a little figgyness

MF: Kind of chewy, subdued carbonation, body thins once warm

Needs more subtlety, plus some complexity a sipper that could use more body by half