Archive for the ‘Barley Wine’ Category
Dogfish Head Red & White
Posted by Shea in American Beer, Barley Wine, Very Good on June 8th, 2009
This was an old bottle I had been storing for about a year: spoils from the Seattle International Beer Festival. Without comparison to a non-aged version it is hard to say what the effect was, but I can attest that this was very balanced for such high alcohol, which I find a common occurrence when you age such beers for about a year.
The spicy nose gave way to malted spice, bread, cake, orange peel, caramel sauce and maybe correander on the palate. Complex and well balanced, this went down super easily on a hot summer day. This was perhaps due to the distinct juicyness which suggested freshly pressed cherries and strawberries – a factor likely the result of the added pinot noir juice. The finish is refined and malty without being too sweet. Excellent stuff. 10% ABV.
Very Good+
Around $15-20 USD I think.
Deschutes Mirror Mirror 2009
Posted by Shea in American Beer, Barley Wine, Excellent on June 1st, 2009
There is almost a Belgian element to the nose with solid fruit esters, candy and cherry. Upon first tasting this I realized that Deschutes’ recommendation to age the beer for at least one year was warranted – while carbonated it was clear the yeast had yet to fully activate. But, unlike the Angel’s Share, I have no doubt that this will have perfect carbonation in a year.
The palate here is really fantastic with raisins, caramel, wood, white chocolate and some grain flavours. This is very smooth and balanced and has a wonderful creamy texture. Even with all its flavour, this does not go over the top nor is it boozy. This puts it well ahead of the Angel’s Share, and I think it will end up being a better beer.
Excellent to Excellent+ (esp. with age)
$12/22oz
Lost Abbey Angel’s Share 2008 (Brandy Barrel)
Posted by Shea in American Beer, Barley Wine, Very Good on May 31st, 2009
Angel’s share is somewhat of a specimen. Only available via mailing lists until this year, and now only in limited quantities at a few lucky beer stores. There is also a bit of a tumultuous story with the 2008, with reports of early bottling and unactivated yeast creating low carbonation levels. I was lucky enough to get 3 bottles of this stuff, one of which was put to the test through a preliminary assessment. The next two will be consumed at yearly intervals.
I can certainly attest that the carbonation tales are true: the yeast has either not had enough time to fully activate or there was some problem in bottling these. Nonetheless, this is still a good beer. The nose offers vanilla, chocolate, figs, raisins and a healthy dose of brandy.
The palate has loads of stewed fig, chocolate, port-like dark fruits, and a heavy brandy flavour. The alcohol is extremely noticeable at 13% abv – but as with many high gravity beers this should mellow with time. A challenging beer to consider this early, but thus far I have had better beer for a lot less money. Then again, if you drank a great Hermitage too young you might have a similar notion. Time shall tell.
Very Good+ to Excellent
$34 at Ledger’s Liquors
Dogfish Head Raison D’Extra
Posted by Shea in American Beer, Barley Wine, Excellent on April 24th, 2009
This is an extreme version of Dogfish Head’s Raisin D’etre, a beer brewed with, yes, raisins. I’ve had both versions and am happy to report this is the better of the two. Almost like a barley wine, this is malty and sweet on the nose. The palate is distinctly raisin-y, but that adds quite a nice layer to the barley wine style body, with its strong alcohol. Well balanced, the alcohol is not dominating, even as it adds body. On a really basic level I enjoy this beer tremendously.
Excellent
$9 USD
De Hemel Nieuw Ligt Grand Cru 2003
Posted by Shea in Barley Wine, Dutch Beer, Excellent on April 5th, 2009
Another paradigm killer, but even more profound than the J.W. Lees. This beer is also officially billed as a Barley Wine, but it couldn’t be further from the basic formula than it is. A dark brown, cloudy colour in the glass, the nose brought out a holy *#$(* moment when it mimicked a high quality Sauternes with its profound candied pear, apple, and grapefruit notes.
The palate was, simply put, insanely complex and deep. Layers and layers of honey, grapefruit, pear, and nuts. This is a bastard child of Sauternes and posseses an incredible balance of acidity and sweetness. Pretty much not only the best Barley Wine I’ve ever had, but maybe the best beer I’ve ever had. Who would have thought a 6 year old beer could kill it so well.
Excellent+
$10 at the Toronado beer sale (totally unavailable now)
J. W. Lees Harvest Ale Lagavulin Casks 2005
Posted by Shea in Barley Wine, English Beer, Excellent on April 5th, 2009
This beer defies a few preconceptions about what beer should be. Firstly, it is bottle conditioned and aged. Secondly, it is aged in Scotch barrels from Lagavulin. This is unlike any beer that a non-aficionado will have ever tasted.
The nose is very rich, very malty and caramelly. But this belies what lies underneath the barley wine-like nose. That is, when you take a sip you are confronted with intense scotch smokyness, a bit of peat, and a smooth and incredibly complex brew. While malty, this is more like drinking a cross between beer and scotch than anything else. Perhaps a bit too sweet for some (who should then consider Ola Dubh beer), but undeniably unique, complex, and a paradigm-shifter.
Excellent to Excellent+
$14/375ml at City Beer
Mikkeller Big Worse Barley WIne
Posted by Shea in Barley Wine, Danish Beer, Very Good on March 8th, 2009
It seems as though the Scandanavians are becoming a mini-powerhouse in the world of craft brewing. Mikkeller, which I believe is Danish, has built a pretty solid reputation for themselves here in the US with an embrace of the extreme beer style that has provided the reputation of such vaunted brewers as Dogfish Head, Hair of the Dog, etc.
