Port Barrel Aged Orin
Half Acre Beer Company

On draft at the source.

 

Turbid brick red to tawny brown with a short khaki head dying to an uneven bubbly collar.

The primary experience from start to finish is very woody, old school American barleywine with a little bit of mustiness. While there's a port-like nougat, it's just not as present as I'd like, although a little contrasting maple develops as it warms.

Perhaps it would be a hair better than regular Orin if I had an opportunity to do a side by side in the comfort of my own home, but in such esteemed company as is found at Great Taste, it's hard to confidently make that judgment. Half Acre had an awesome booth, though.

 

Had on tap. Extremely dark brown with two fingers of tan foam that settle into a thick ring. Smell has the port present with toffee, dark fruit, booze, and wood. Actually found the taste, though potentially divisive, to complex and fun: port makes an appearance as ruler to the dark fruits in the old ale, but also works with the booziness of the style to elevate flavors of wood, toffee, semi-sweet chocolate, and chicory. Feel has booze as the style should, but it is elevated and purposeful, wood provides pleasant textures as well.