Barleywine
Olde Hickory Brewery

One of OHB's best offerings imo. I believe this barleywine is a year old and it has turned into a fantastic beer.
Auburn in color with thin white head.
Brown sugar aroma with a hint of fruitiness.
Sweet more on the malt heavy side of barleywines without going overboard as balance has become this beers strength.
Full bodied and very filling.
Although this one has mellowed quite a bit it's still hard to finish one of those Imperial Pint glasses they give you at Amos Howards.

Never had a Barley Wine. Figured a local on-tap might be a good start. A near ruby color, darker than expected, though I know little about this style. Smell was strong of sweet fruity and caramel malts. Hop presence very evident. Taste had a little alcohol burn but was extremely well balanced at the same time. Nice sweet malts. I picked up a little bubble gum and tart fruit. Caramel malts again evident and a perfect hop balance. Mouthfeel is bittersweet and quite thick, full. This beer is unbelievable as it warms. I had a couple and could have easily had a couple more. If you ever see this on-tap, do yourself a favor and try it!

**Edit 3-1-07
After a couple months this beer seems to be losing the hotness and is mellowing out.

This beer was well anticipated by me. After touring the brewery a good while ago and learning about the barleywine, I had been looking forward to it's release.

The beer was served in an hourglass shaped glass. There was a small head. The beer was light plum in color and was not cloudy at all. The smell was fruity and well balanced. There was a hop presence that was huge as was the malt presence. This beer is just plain huge. The alcohol here is evident. A nice warming feeling comes to the cheeks and tops of the ears rather quickly. The mouthfeel is fine, but taking this beer in small sips is advised over trying to rush it. This beer has a mouthfeel that skirts that of a fine whiskey. The drinkability is good when you remember that this is a big barleywine and not a low abv pale ale. Sip slowley and enjoy. A nice beer from OHB. This beer, if it were bottled, would be interesting to watch over the next few years.