Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:06 pm
12 oz. brown, longneck bottle. Packaged on date of 01/04. Very fresh stuff then. Loud pfftt when opened. Bottle conditioned, so they must be using champagne yeast to do it. Poured out a slightly hazy, orangish / amber / copper color. Kind of swirled around and changed colors in my snifter. Thin, but persistent, white head that stuck around for the ride to the bottom of the glass. Aromas are of malts, naturally, but also caramel, vanilla notes, slightly oakey, Belgian yeast, because of the banana notes, mascerated fruits, and hops at the end. Very fruity smelling, but no discernable alcohol notes. All that malt is covering it up, but you can and still will feel it when it hits you. It sort of loosens up your neck first, then it hits your brain full force. Warming as it's swallowed, but no burning, like so many other high alcohol beers. Low levels of diacetyl detected, but not to the point of being buttery. Tastes are fantastic, with the malts swimming around on your tongue, only to be followed closely by the hops. Someone did their homework on this beer, that much is certain. Certainly fruity, with esters abundently present. Slick, oily mouthfeel. Goes down too easily. This is one to age for the years ahead. It can only get better. Finishes somewhat sweet, but not syrupy or cloying. A really fine barleywine from the gang over at Dogfish Head Brewery.
