Bottle from the brewery - this is around the time of year I really start jonesing for some barleywine - and for some reasons in Colorado, the shit just doesn’t show up until March for some reason - not a single fucking barleywine in my local bottle shops - not even Bigfoot - so when I saw this at the brewery today I was like, fuck it; I’m desperate - even though I know River North, despite their prowess at high abv beers, can never seem to get barleywine right - anyway, this one pours turbid amber - minimal lace - some earthy malt and wheat - but of brined cherry - some oxidation and sherry notes - light oak and whiskey - finish is a little hot - lingering spicy oak - a little rough around the edges, but one of their better attempts.

375 mL bottle, shared with Timmy. Pours a murky, brown color, with no real head. The nose is brown bread, heavy leather, allspice, and dates. Dry and musty, with a hard, earthy bitterness. Heavy, hard, and drying. Abrasive, dried out, and not terribly pleasant.