McDermottDrink Profile

Pours deep brown with no bubbles. Light cherry and fruit leather smell, not too much alcohol. Some tartness in the nose, too. Taste offers some malt, aged as expected. Flavor has turned a little south, but I can pick out some wine, leather upholstery, and again some nice tartness. I'm so used to barrel aged impy stouts, so barleywines are less familiar. They do change more over time, hops might fade, etc. But that just makes each batch a new adventure.

Tried from Bottle on 16 Oct 2025 at 02:50

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Bigfoot (2004) from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

7 months ago

8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8

2004 Edition: Sampled 11/6/04. Still has the hallmarks of a very young barley wine. Pours a rather lighter brown than one would expect. Looks is very inviting, like a soda, but once you taste... I get impressions of brown sugar and maple syrup, but not too much. No complex aged components yet, but it still carried a good bit of IPA hops. Much more drinkable to the beginner (like my brothers and father who tried it for the first time) than one would expect of a big beer.

Tried from Bottle on 12 Aug 2004 at 01:38

McDermottDrink added a new beer Bigfoot (2004) by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
7 months ago

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Rudolph vs Unicorn from Pipeworks Brewing Company

7 months ago

6.6/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7

Can from last season. Deep brown porter-ish pour, big foamy tan head. Definite nose of peppermint, maybe some chocolate. Peppermint carries in the taste. Peppermint can get a little cloying at times, though there is some milk taste, and the chocolate in the background.

Tried from Can at Pipeworks Dojo on 14 Oct 2025 at 02:01

McDermottDrink added a new beer Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale 2025 by Kirkland Signature / Costco Wholesale Corporation
7 months ago

McDermottDrink added a new beer Oktoberfest by Two Hound Red Brewing Co.
7 months ago

McDermottDrink's photo of Exponential Power

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Exponential Power from Two Hound Red Brewing Co.

7 months ago

7.5/10 — Appearance 7 Aroma 8 Flavor 7.5 Texture 7 Overall 7.5

Amber color, thin foam leaving some lace behind. Nice big pine and resin nose with a bit of blueberry too. Big APA taste, plenty of pine and just badass hop. Drinking it nice and cold, which helps to keep the malt handy. Served at Two Hound Red, which is closing Sunday, so it's kind of late to add a venue.

Tried from Draft on 10 Oct 2025 at 21:13

McDermottDrink added a new beer Exponential Power by Two Hound Red Brewing Co.
7 months ago

McDermottDrink's photo of Velvet Merkin (2014)

McDermottDrink (4627) reviewed

Velvet Merkin (2014) from Firestone Walker Brewing

7 months ago

8.3/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8.5 Texture 9 Overall 8

Bottle from a friend's cellar. Black pour with a brown, foamy head, surprisingly stiff for an older strong beer. Smell has slight bourbon at first sniff, some fruit leather, and a bit of semi-sweet chocolate. Taste is kind of a cola thingie, since it's still very fizzy. Slight lactic curl on my tongue, then more light chocolate.

Tried from Bottle on 07 Oct 2025 at 03:10