[2002] This is an odd barleywine. It shares a lot of characteristics of a doppelbock - the big maltiness, the caramel flavor - but it also has the fruity esters of a barleywine - I was surprised by the almost total lack of hops considering this is a west coast brew - the alcohol could be masked a little better, but the sweetness is perfect, not even near cloying - this isn't great, but I suspect with some more age it might get close.

2003 bottle at Ashleys in Ann Arbor
Deep chocolate burnt hue. Roasty/alcohol grainy aroma. Sweeter than I expected with some roasty notes swirling around in there. Less hops than I was hoping for but certainly had that rich textury raisin appeal. The coffee notes werent overpowering, which was nice, as that can sometime ruin these types. I still prefer the drier, hoppier storm king. A little bit of carb problems in the bottle, which dosent go well with the grainy alcohol taste that is detectable. I absolutely must, and will, try more. 2003 draught Very excited to try this on draft and was expecting alot. It certainly delivered. This relatively mellow imperial was delightful. One of the best mouthfeels I’ve tried. Chocolately, creamy, more like a chocolate stout. No alcohol apparent. Very low bitterness, huge creamy off white head, opaque. This was actually too sweet for my liking (though not ultra sugary, more like a salty, rich caramel), with not as much balancing hops as I would see fit, but nonetheless very very good and better than I remember (probably cuz it’s on tap).
2005 bottle consumed in January 06. More bitter, and more black cocoa, licorice and graham cracker-like malts than I remember. Seems like this stuff was a lot sweeter, before. Hmm. Complexity is probably its low point, though the texture is not quite as thick as it could be either. No sediment at the bottom of the bottle. I can see why so many like it, it just seems rather solid, if not very unique at this point.
Draught 3/23/06 at Publick House. Very lively pour produces a huge tan head, with lacing and great retention. Bitter cocoa again, black malt, dry hops bitterness works against the balance. Rich texture on draught though, very fluffy but substantial. I can’t make up my mind on this beer, but I do appreciate that it is not over the top in alcohol or malt (though alcohol is apparent).

Golden colour with a slight orange tint. A decent hoppy aroma, but nothing large like a 'stronger' IPA. The taste was very mild compared to other IPA's, especially from California. The taste was more of an APA, but still worthy of a couple of dollars. Not a great aftertaste, once again fairly mild.

Perfect-looking APA - copper, with slight amber tint and beautiful white lacing - powerful hop aroma that gets my salivary glands working - big malt presence for an APA, with a perfect amount of hops to balance it out - the finish, however, isn't as great as the rest of it - hop bitterness turns to a slightly metallic taste every few sips - otherwise a nice APA.

Picked up at Hollingshead Deli in Orange, CA. Dark yellow with a thin white head. Aroma is mildly hoppy. Very light and crisp flavor of hops and fruit. Finish is a little hoppy, a little yeasty. Not bad for the style but give me an Old Rasputin over this any day.

Colour: dark brown, mahogany shine; disappearing cream head. Nose: hops, coloured malts, vanilla(?), blue cheese. Taste: immediate sweet impression, then very hop-bitter, fading into satisfying plumcake taste. Mouthfeel; very thick and rich, velvety. Alcohol evident. Aftertaste: after a while, noble hops haunt the palate for quite long. A very nice old ale - with American noble hops, as one would expect from a Californian brewery.