Given the discussion about the new release, I figured I would crack one from the cellar. 2014 Third Coast Old Ale from Bell's. Just over 11 years old at this point. 10.2% ABV. Poured at fridge temp. Pours with almost no head. The nose is full of caramel candy, light mint, pine, clove, and bit of maple. The taste is insanely smooth and wonderful. Werther's caramel candy, light hops, mint, plum, apricot, and a nice floral note. Lingering bitterness on the aftertaste. What a treat.
That Double Barrel Aged Life Unraveled is a steal at $16. I think I paid like $35 for my bottle and it was really, really good.
That's good to hear! Just got done unpacking my delivery... When did you have this one? I think it used to be packed in 750s? This is a 500 ml.
Or better yet, Mills River is hosting a "Bigfoot Bash" next Friday night ICYM the email. Just got an email from a friend who is rallying my old neighborhood beer club to attend. Also looking at a Bigfoot tour on the 23rd as well which includes a four-pack vertical. Y'all are welcome to join either event! Bigfoot Tour and Vertical Tasting | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
I bought this to enjoy with my boy on his 35th birthday. It was worth every cent. An incredible beer. Happy Birthday, JamesO. 4.75/5 rDev +6.3% look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75 2025 vintage that pours a dark mahogany brown color that is crystal clear, allowing you to look through the beer from the top and see through the bottom of the glass because there isn’t even a senior head on the beer, as expected with a 30% ABV (!!!!!) beer. The nose is exceptionally boozy up to a couple of feet away after you crack open the beautiful ceramic bottle. That’s to be expected. Not as expected was the ability of the other aromas to shine through, with loads of oak, rich caramel, vanilla, port, plums, booze soaked dark cherries, smoky peat, honey, and a whiff of citrus. My goodness. The booze behaves itself on the taste, quickly appearing up front, then sliding to the back of the palate as a substantial warming that never goes away. The beauty of this beer is the balance of all the flavors that follow, with the caramel, vanilla, and port first up, with the port flowing into the plum and dark cherry, which ease into the oak, smoky peat, and honey. Incredible. The mouthfeel is like drinking a fine spirit that coats the palate. This is, quite simply, stunning. I’m glad I saved enough to age, because I think this will be a treasure to savor 5 or 10 years down the road.
I agree, Utopias was totally worth it. There just isn't anything else quite like it. Cheers to your boy and his generous dad!
Going from the smoothly sophisticated above to the cartoonishly crass with this DIPAwine. I thought I was in the mood for this until I saw @ovaltine 's post. Kidding aside this is actually pretty good. Canned less than 2 months ago, the fresh tasting C hops shine with earthy grapefruit and to a lesser extent, juicy pineapple. I get some slightly overcooked sugar cookies and caramel for a bit of malt balance, but this is pretty much all about the hops. Really liking the lingering brash bitterness that lingers long on the tongue. Good stuff.
Shugga! First time trying this. Definitely leaning towards the American barleywine style. Great stuff and a great price ($12 for a 6-pack!).
This counts? Sadly, kind of let down by this. Feels kind of hollow. Maybe I’m just used to huge sticky barleywines lately. Maybe I just have too high expectations for Rev. still solid tho, but Apple Brandy Ryeway was head and shoulders above this
Three Ryes Men from Reuben's Brews. 2023 bottle. Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels. 13.7% ABV. This is such a wonderful beer.
I really enjoyed that one - and I still have a can. But it is definitely a DIPAwine (you need to get that trademarked).
I'm glad I got one - and I'm REALLY glad you can drink it 4 oz at a time, so it'll last a good bit. I don't think I'd buy another one, though - Mrs O definitely gave me the stink eye when she saw the tab on our credit card statement last month.
I waited so long between sips - little sips - I could've written "War and Peace" in that review. Twice. It was fun to review, though. Lot going on with that beer.
