Deep copper and amber coloured body with a slightly muddied brown glow and almost no head at all, some large tan bubbles, that’s it. Aroma of pit fruits, alcohol, light peat, caramel and some cognac. Full-bodied; Assertive nutty flavours at first with a large body, some caramelised sugars and not much else - perhaps some raisins. Aftertaste shows a little earthy malt, some cognac and brandy with the alcohol burn and a little oak at the very end. Overall, a decent barley wine, but definitely not complex enough to be considered good, plus there isn’t much carbonation here, so this can be passed up. I sampled this twelve ounce stubby bottle purchased exactly one year ago at Whole Foods in Seattle (WestLake), Washington on 08-February-2013 for US$4.49 sampled at home in the real Washington on 08-February-2014 - exactly a year after purchasing it - perhaps it made the beer more subdued and less carbonated as well? Label says 13.3% abv on my bottle, no indication of vintage.

Bottle. Poured a dark amber color with an off-white head. Aroma was light caramel notes, some earthy hops. Flavor was earthy hops, surrounded my a mostly biscuit, caramel and malty body. Drinkable, but not overly refreshing unfortunately.

Bottle from Brewery Creek, Vancouver
Hazy golden to light amber color; medium sized compact head. The aroma of malt/caramel is dulled by a paper feeling. The body is leaner than expected; malt/caramel flavor with a feeling of paper and vegetables; relatively strong bitterness, with some resins and not much more hop qualities; light sweetness in the end.
Not bad, but it seems unfresh.

Bottle from Total Wines, Sterling VA. Deep amber in colour with an off-white head. Easy drinking with some caramel and a trace of liquorice, before a gentle finish. Fine.

Amber color, big caramel and citrusy nose. Thick caramel backbone. Lots of grapefruit. Malty, simple and enjoyable.

Bottle. Pours hazy amber, small off white head, good lacing. Aroma is pine and caramel. Flavor follows. Bit of citrus. Medium body, oily mouthfeel. Medium sweet, medium bitter.

Bottle at Christine and Daves, cheers DLJ, 29/11/13. Hazed dark orange/amber with a moderate off white covering. Nose is biscuit malt, caramel crunch, brown sugar. Taste comprises cake mix, brown sugars, light metallic tang, Soreen Maltloaf, thin hop presence. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, dry finale. A little thin and watery. Mediocre affair.

Bottle at Christine and Daves, Thanksgiving warm down cheers to Dave, 28/11/13. Light black with a moderate tan covering that clears to a pond. Nose is roast malt, earthy cocoa, brown sugars, dark toffee. Taste carries a good roasted blast, chocolate, liqourice, dark toffee. Medium bodied, slightly prickly and over carbonated, dry finale. Solid all round porter let down a little on the palate.

Bottle - Tropical fruit, grapefruit and resin on the nose. Clear orange with a rich white head. Pine and resin with a hint of orange a balanced malty sweetness. Decent but average IIPA.

650 ml bottle. Pour a clear mahogany color with light head. Aromas of light pine, honey, resin, and malts. Light flavors of pink grapefruit, red berries, and toasted malts. Fairly long bitter finish.