Yo (Batch 1055)
El Toro Brewing Co.

 

 

Paid $6 for a half pint from El Toro in Morgan Hill. I asked Geno, the President-Brewmaster of El Toro for a barleywine and this was what they had available (in addition to a couple other brew numbers). I was unclear if this was an American Strong Ale or a Winter Warmer, but he indicated this was a Barleywine. The Yo 1055 was brewed 11/3/08 with a S.G. of 1.075 and FG of 1.015. This is a seasonal winter and this batch was brewed once. But here I drink it mid summer.

Quarter inch semi frothy, semi fizzy head. Rather cloudy, nearly opaque dark amber color.

Smells like a nicely balanced barleywine - full of sweetness, maltiness and hops and some nice alcohol content.

Well balanced flavor with a trademark El Toro touch that is tough for me to describe with words. Taste is even better than the smell and improves even more towards the bottom of the glass.

Meduim to heavy body. Easy to drink in moderation. Tasty.

For drinking this more traditional winter brew midsummer, I must say it was quite enjoyable.