7.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Bottling Date: 29-Nov-2007
Deep slightly hazy amber/brown coloured body with a dense thick tan head that stays atop for quite a while. Aroma of fresh hops with more english hops than american. Some apricots in the nose, caramel and a bit of nuts tucked in too. Medium-bodied; Strong assertive bitter hop taste up front fading to an also strong nutty malt flavour soon afterward - very strong, yet complex. Aftertaste shows more of the hop bitterness than anything else, but some of the dryness of the malt comes, along with some pit fruit sweetness at the very end. Overall, a good decently well-rounded IPA. Tons of bittering hops, especially right at the very beginning and at the very end...but nice all around. I’d still prefer a Hop Pocket Ale to this one, but it’s great to try this Winter selection! I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Norm’s in Vienna, Virginia on 8-February-2008.
Deep slightly hazy amber/brown coloured body with a dense thick tan head that stays atop for quite a while. Aroma of fresh hops with more english hops than american. Some apricots in the nose, caramel and a bit of nuts tucked in too. Medium-bodied; Strong assertive bitter hop taste up front fading to an also strong nutty malt flavour soon afterward - very strong, yet complex. Aftertaste shows more of the hop bitterness than anything else, but some of the dryness of the malt comes, along with some pit fruit sweetness at the very end. Overall, a good decently well-rounded IPA. Tons of bittering hops, especially right at the very beginning and at the very end...but nice all around. I’d still prefer a Hop Pocket Ale to this one, but it’s great to try this Winter selection! I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Norm’s in Vienna, Virginia on 8-February-2008.
Tried
from Can
on 07 Feb 2008
at 23:59
8.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9.5
Bottle, 11.4%. Vinous, fat vanilla aroma. Hazy brown/red colour. Very small tan head. Distinct vanilla flavour and medium bitterness in good balance. The vanilla somehow reminds me of vitamin pills, but it is quite good. Very late alcohol flavour, but not that noticeable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Jan 2008
at 15:58
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2004 Vintage:
Finally cracking into my first bottle of this - and I have to say, I’m impressed. Deep rich amber coloured body with a ruby highlight and a thinnish tan head. Aroma of toffee, figs, pit fruits, plums, nuts and malt. Medium-bodied; Strong fruity flavour with sugars coming out of every direction and a malt kick along with the taste. Aftertaste shows some malty flavours, coupled with toffee and tobacco - a bit of nuts noticeable as well. Overall, a more ’jaded’ barleywine showing some tobacco notes (hey, it is Virginia), toffee and even some fresh fruit flavours. Overall, a good barley wine that really doesn’t show much oak nor vanilla! I sampled this twelve ounce bottle, purchased from the Dominion Brew Pub in Ashburn, Virginia, dated: 22-July-2004, sampled on 24-December-2007!
Finally cracking into my first bottle of this - and I have to say, I’m impressed. Deep rich amber coloured body with a ruby highlight and a thinnish tan head. Aroma of toffee, figs, pit fruits, plums, nuts and malt. Medium-bodied; Strong fruity flavour with sugars coming out of every direction and a malt kick along with the taste. Aftertaste shows some malty flavours, coupled with toffee and tobacco - a bit of nuts noticeable as well. Overall, a more ’jaded’ barleywine showing some tobacco notes (hey, it is Virginia), toffee and even some fresh fruit flavours. Overall, a good barley wine that really doesn’t show much oak nor vanilla! I sampled this twelve ounce bottle, purchased from the Dominion Brew Pub in Ashburn, Virginia, dated: 22-July-2004, sampled on 24-December-2007!
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Dec 2007
at 21:14
6.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
I had this some time ago but had only remembered recently about it when I was going through old beer notes and bottles that I had been saving. Poured a clear light amber color, medium head. Carbonation a little higher than I had expected. Banana, wheat, and lemon. It was decent, but probably a style I’d avoid in the future.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Dec 2007
at 00:26
7.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7
Bottle. I’m not sure how different this may be from the 2005 vintage of the same Winter variety. Clear brown/copper pour. Aroma is hoppy, with a touch of caramel. Flavor is quite interesting for an IPA, with a distinct sweet malt taste to it without a very floral or pine aroma or taste that you’d normally attribute to this style. Reminds me of other IPA flavors. Grapefruit, citrus flavor. A little hop flavor, and some small malty sweetness.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Dec 2007
at 00:21
6.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Thanks to boboski for opening this brew. Pours orange to clear copper with off white head. The aroma is light with hints of sweetness and oakiness. The taste seems to start off neutral and then becomes smooth and sweet followed by some hints of alcohol and mild tartness. This isn’t as chewy or rich as similar barleywines.
Tried
on 12 Dec 2007
at 11:23
8.2/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Vintage 2006
Beautiful red-amber color. The aroma has an elegant vanilla presence and Bourbon whisky touch. Full mouthfeel, sweet, malty, with a vanilla touch and rum flavor. Well balanced by a strong bitterness.
Comparison to the non oak aged version. This one has less malt aroma, less complex flavor, less alcohol feeling, less bitterness, a thinner body. It’s softer. A different beer, to drink once in a while.
Beautiful red-amber color. The aroma has an elegant vanilla presence and Bourbon whisky touch. Full mouthfeel, sweet, malty, with a vanilla touch and rum flavor. Well balanced by a strong bitterness.
Comparison to the non oak aged version. This one has less malt aroma, less complex flavor, less alcohol feeling, less bitterness, a thinner body. It’s softer. A different beer, to drink once in a while.
Tried
on 04 Dec 2007
at 07:38
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
12 fl oz bottle. Pours clear and golden with a lacing light orange head. Sweet peach fruity and malt sweet aroma. Flavour is sweet at first. Reveals a slight woody note and a mild alcohol note. Has a nice vanilla smoothness. Ends mild and with a soft alcohol warmth.
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Nov 2007
at 10:41
5.4/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
Bottle. Slightly hazy amber boy with lots of carbonation. Large rocky off-white head. Sweet highly spiced fruity aroma. Highly spiced flavor which hides any other flavors.
Tried
from Bottle
on 17 Oct 2007
at 21:18
5.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
From nflmvp. Aroma is cherry/sherry alcohol, cheap fruit punch, some vegetable. Overall a nasty sweetness. Taste is light orange and lots of barleywine alcohol. A light body and overall not impressive beer. Very astringent artificial sweetness all over this beer. Will put another bottle away for a while, maybe some age will improve this mess. 12oz bottle, bottled 11/20/06, Hobgoblin tulip glass.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Sep 2007
at 11:35