The Gilded Hand
Marlowe Artisanal Ales

Incredibly dark brown body that is still clear, finger of lighter brown foam. Aromas of barley, caramel, vanilla, and vague dark fruit with a dry yeastiness. Taste right away I get raisin and date, then a fascinating hazelnut tone that lingers through the sip, with barley, biscuit and toffee with a hint of char flakes. Dry and light, pleasant and potent for non-ba.

Thanks to zeile33 for this one, received n NBS BIF #18.
Pours on the darker side for a barleywine. Looks more like a blend between a barleywine and an impy stout. Slight khaki head settles quickly, leaving a firm' lithe ring.
Nose begins with a vanilla tinged caramel note and some mild char. A hint of nuttiness comes through as well. Smells pretty enticing.
Flavor is more muted on the sweet notes, and the char comes in a bit stronger, almost in a drying bitterness. Almost like it's heading in a hopping bitterness coupled with some smoke. Flavor seems to fall somewhere in between an English and American barleywine.
Mouthfeel is on the thicker side, but nice.
Overall, a dialed down English barleywine.

 

 

 

Pours black with a short lived off white head. The aroma has notes of vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. The flavor is more bitter than expected. Vanilla dominates with some dark fruit and hazelnut. There is very little of the sweetness I would expect from the style. Full bodied and well carbed.

It's not a bad beer though I would consider it more American than English barleywine. That aside, I enjoyed it.

16oz. Can into a Side Project snifter.

Pours a dark, almost black mahogany. Spotty lace, minimal head, thin legs. Nose is toffee, brown sugar, hazelnut and slight roasted malt. Mellow overall. Beer opens brown sugar, olive, purple grapes, and dried fig. Marshmallow, brown sugar, and molasses in the middle. Hints of toffee and more fresh dark fruit at the end. Body is medium to full with low carbonation. Smooth and rounded on the palate and goes down soft. Mellow aftertaste.

This one is super balanced but a bit young at the moment.