Belle Dock #4
City Steam Brewery Café

Draught in a snifter: This one poured a dark, cloudy mahogany color. There was pretty much no head on it at all. The aroma contained malt sweetness, as well a some fruitiness. Maybe a int of an unknown spice. The taste was sweet, but mellowed: not harsh like some Barleywines can be. There was also a hint of oakiness to the taste. Also, a bit of an alcohol taste coming through, but it didn't detract from it one bit. Very good!

Had this brew served in a brandy snifter. The color was very dark brown and no light made it through. The initial aroma was one of maltiness and a sweet smell almost like molasses. There was no head evident but this could be in part due to the snifter being filled completely. More beer for me! the first sip revealed similar flavors to the aromas. sweet maltiness, with very little hop charcter present. The brew finishes very cleanly and leaves little taste in my mouth. Definitely no hint of alcohol flavors here. The beer was a little thin for a barleywine in my opinion and actually was a little bit mild for me as well. But the existing flavors were yummy and the beer was very drinkable. Just wish it had a little more "umph!"

Clear dark mahogany with thin rim of tan foam (although my neighbor's glass had a fluffier, more stable one so there is potential). Initially the aroma was sweeter, maltier, fruitier (raisons, plums). As it warmed, drier oaky aromas came out with "Christmas Ale"-type spices and a pleasing alcohol waft that resembled a fine bourbon. The taste profile resembled how the aromas evolved: started mellower (balanced, clean and, dare I say, refreshing) but turned noticably more complex when the dark fruits, wood, spices(?), and a bit of alcohol all intermingled when it warmed. Medium bodied, not overwhelming and very tasty!

I never tried the original Belle Dock barleywine from the now gone Elm City Brewing in New Haven, so I'm not sure how this one compares, or if it even uses the same recipe. Served in a brandy snifter, but poured right to the rim with no head so that the glass can't do its job of allowing aromas to swirl up and out. Color is black as night, but hints of red come through when light hits it. The aroma is so low and light that I can't pick out any interesting smells. Mouthfeel is a bit thin and watery. Flavor has a bit of light malt, but is mostly reminiscent of cherry, with an alcoholic finish. It's not any more complex than that.