Freistadt Plumberg
Freigeist Bierkultur

Poured at fridge temp. Pours a dark brown with a reddish hint. TONS of head that doesn't want to leave. The nose is smoked plums all the way. Oak, raisins, toffee, some chocolate. Interesting mix of notes. The taste is nice and smooth. The smoke is definitely the main note hear, but the fruit and smoke compete for top spot. Plums, cherries, raisins, apricot, figs, toffee, candy, big malts, honey, molasses, and dark chocolate. Lovely beer. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and the alcohol is not present on the taste.

 

Pours a cloudy, deep mahogany coloration with a purple sheen and a medium, foamy head. Smells of caramel malt and a distinct smoky note, as well as some plum and hints of brown sugar. Taste is a great balance of caramel malt, a strong, fruity plum character, distinct peat smoke and hints of licorice, brown sugar and toffee. Finishes bittersweet, with a mild sweetness and bitterness and some plum and peat smoke lingering in the aftertaste. Full mouthfeel with a medium/rich body and medium carbonation.

This makes for a rather enjoyable Barleywine with a strong plum presence, some brown sugar and hints of licorice and bitter hops, creating a great balance of sweet and bitter notes in addition to the quite fruity and moderately smoky character here. While it may not be too complex, it's rather rich and well-balanced, without becoming cloyingly sweet, with a light warming alcohol presence that never feels too boozy though, as well as a pretty nice and full mouthfeel.