Wooden Hell
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery

Wooden HellWooden Hell
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From:
Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
Ranked #15
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
98
Ranked #440
Avg:
4.43 | pDev: 9.26%
Reviews:
107
Ratings:
234
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 25, 2022
Added:
Apr 29, 2007
Wants:
  583
Gots:
  16
GABF 2006 Strong Barrel Aged Bronze, Woodford Reserve Barrel Aged Barleywine
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jampics2:
Photo of jampics2
Reviewed by jampics2 from Ohio

4.62/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Big huge thanks to Paul AKA Dr. Gonzo for the bottle share at our pre-DLD tasting. I got a few oz's and my wife was nice enough to give me most of her pour too. Served at generally room temp into a snifter.

This beer looks nice in the glass. There's a great color - a mixture of copper, amber, chesnut and garnet swirled and decadant looking. Next to no head,- no, make that no head, but that's OK considering the ABV and time spent in the barrel. I'd like for a bit of foam, even a soapy bubble or two, though to make this look less dead.

The smell is intoxicating! There's a huge barrel presence that is expressive and really savory. I get notes of oak, a touch of tannin, some bourbon, and a hint of vanilla atop a nice bed of caramel, burned sugar, toffee and a touch of oxidation. Aside from the bourbon, there's no booze in the nose. Very close to perfection but could be a bit bolder.

The taste is equally impressive. This has aged like a champion and is smooth and silky. The typical Barleywine notes of caramelized sugar and dark fruit start the experience with some sweet notes. Then, the barrel transitions the brew from basic to brilliant. A touch of brown sugar and maple is eclipsed by bourbon and oak. There's a touch of vanilla and just a hint of booze that pairs well with the mild hop bitterness. Some mild oxidation gives sherry notes to the sweet finish. Any rough edges have been sanded by time. This is one giant progressing flavor experience, not separate little bits here or there. On second thought, impressive is weak - this is fantastic!

The mouthfeel knocks me back down to Earth a bit from the high of the flavor. The beer is medium bodied but could have just a bit more heft. The carbonation is just a touch high as well. I'm in love with Kuhnhenn's BA Barleywine and, sure, it's a 15% but has just a certain feel I wish was present here - slick and syrupy but not still and slimey. But the hint of booze at the end is held in check and this finishes well.

Overall, there's not much to say other than this is a worthy beer. I'm not sure it's worth the huge auction prices or trading half a cellar, as there are a few (MOAS/TPS and Kuhnhenn BA BW) that are more easily obtained and just as good. But I highly encourage everyone to find someone as cool as Paul to share a bottle with you! Thanks again for the chance to try a brew I never thought I'd cross paths with!
May 17, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.31 by mltobin from Connecticut

Nov 25, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by mwvman from Indiana

Oct 24, 2022
Photo of jvgoor3786
Reviewed by jvgoor3786 from Arkansas

4/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2019 version Pours a deep ruby brown color with a light tan head that lingers and leaves some finger lacing.

The smell is dark fruits, caramel, oak, and a hint of bourbon.

The taste is loaded with dark fruits, especially raisin and lots of oak with a hint of bourbon. The flavor is very bright and slightly tart. No real hint of booziness. I'm not sure if this beer is supposed to be this tart. It's not bad, but the taste is a bit unusual and not matching other reviews.

The mouthfeel is thinner than expected but not thin. Low/medium carbonation with a silky feel.

Overall this is bright and fruity but a slow sipper. Edit: The more I drink the more I'm concerned this has not held up over time. The tartness is too prominent and it doesn't match with the other reviews.
Jan 07, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Dec 01, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by aasher from Indiana

Sep 26, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by TheWyatt from California

Mar 22, 2020
 
Rated: 5 by eawolff99 from Minnesota

Jan 18, 2020
 
Rated: 4.63 by Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire

Dec 07, 2019
Photo of GreesyFizeek
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.23/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This one pours a murky dark brown color, with a small head, and not much lacing.

This smells pretty boozy and woody, with some bittersweet caramel, smoe, toffee, and dark fruits.

This tastes better than it smells for sure. There's definitely a lot of barrel here. There's spicy oak and caramel/leathery/boozy bourbon. There's toasted dark breadiness, caramel, and toffee for sure, with a touch of dark fruitiness.

This is medium bodied, with a slightly lingering bitterness. It's definitely a slow sipper.

This is certainly an old school barleywine, and it's definitely burly and not for the faint of heart. I like it.
Oct 27, 2019
 
Rated: 4.1 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Sep 29, 2019
Photo of egrandfield
Reviewed by egrandfield from Massachusetts

4.49/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Smells like scotch on an open pine fire. Smells stronger than it tastes. Super sweet and lush with only a little after burn. Very very very good. Would have again.
Jun 10, 2019
Photo of GrumpyGas
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
I'm going to be low dev here but here goes:
22oz 2018 bottle poured into a skull glass shows a dirty orangish-brown body and supports nary a cap. I won't knock it for no lacing due to the oddly shaped vessel as well as the barrel and style.

Aromas wafting from the glass include dried fruits, stone fruits, vanilla, molasses, oak, and spices and the flavors match, but sweeter that I prefer.

Mouthfeel is full and almost creamy.

Overall a pleasant barrel aged barleywine, if too sweet.
Mar 24, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by WolverineFan1243 from Colorado

Mar 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.16 by Dharmelink from Wisconsin

Feb 07, 2019
 
Rated: 4.22 by Bum4ever from California

Jan 31, 2019
 
Rated: 4.18 by Stinger80OH from Ohio

Dec 28, 2018
 
Rated: 3.95 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Nov 19, 2018
 
Rated: 4.16 by Gambyt20 from Illinois

Nov 18, 2018
 
Rated: 4.25 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Oct 01, 2018
Wooden Hell from Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery
Beer rating: 98 out of 100 with 234 ratings