Olde School Barleywine - Dogfish Head Brewery

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

4.45/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – Pours a clear amber copper color with a medium head that quickly thins to almost nothing, with a decent lacing.

Smell – A pleasant sweet boozy scent. The scent is very unique so it’s difficult to describe. I guess malt, caramel, oak, and candied fig is the best I can do.

Taste – Booze, candied figs, oak, and maybe even some hops.

Mouthfeel – A light alcohol burn, but not too bad for 15%abv. Medium body, light carbonation, and a candied booze aftertaste.

Drinkability – A very nice barleywine; very drinkable for 15%.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 09:31:34 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

Beerstorian

District of Columbia

4.58/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A 2010 edition, stored at a pretty steady 42 - 50 degrees F, though sometimes at lower temperatures. Served at about 50 degrees or so in a tulip glass.

Aroma: During the pour a strong smell of alcohol rose from the bottle and the glass. That aroma held over time. There was also a sweet caramel nose, with some esters and dark fruits--plums mainly. Very little hop character.

Appearance: This poured out a copper-brown color with little lacing and moderate carbonation. It started with a fluffy white, full head that dissipated fairly quickly.

Taste: The flavor was big, of course. Strong, sweet caramel and malt, esters, dark fruits (raisins, plums), a bit of clove in the background, and alcohol. It was a very robust, complex flavor, and much mellower than the 2012 I had.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation, but big mouthfeel. Chewy, but exceedingly smooth.

Overall: This beer has aged extremely well and I'm sorry to see it go. It was my last one.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 01:21:41 | More by Beerstorian

mactrail

California

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Lovely copper color in the St. Bernardus globe. Intense aromas of warm butterscotch and dark fruit compote, along with the sharp tang of booze. You can see how thick the body is from the syrupy swirls in the glass, but on the tongue it's just the right consistency.

The alcohol is actually a good feature, cutting through the sweetness like a light sabre. The malty sweetness is like a good cream sherry, and the modest bitterness gives an interesting edge. This is rather tangy and all in all it's a surprisingly good balance of hot, sweet, and bitter. Lingering aftertaste of burnt raisin bread with some hoppy bitterness.

This is very sippable and one of the better offerings from the weirder and weirder Dogfish Head. From the 12 oz bottle bought at Grapevine Liquors in Denver, which is a nice package size for having a snifter or two.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 05:43:12 | More by mactrail

Hawksfan79

Washington

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Glass: Snifter

Appearance: Dark amber, thin about a half a fingers worth of a mocha colored head that dissipated almost as quickly as it formed.

Smell: Alcohol, molasses, and figs. I swear I can detect the faint aroma of lager yeast but I know that can't be right.

Taste: Hops, alcohol, molasses, figs, sweet malts, and a big alcohol finish and yet surprisingly still very smooth.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, dry texture, alcohol warming, and a dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 06:18:41 | More by Hawksfan79

weonfire

Kentucky

3.86/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour from a 12oz bottle into two (2) 6oz mini snifter glasses.

A- Golden brown. little to no head. carbonation is very low. cannot see through glass. viscosity is very high.

S - not much. traces of fig and dates.

T - basic? (not ordinary, but chemically) Sour. the bottle says: 'This ages with the best of them' - let it do just that. at 15% ABV its very strong. would love to taste this in a year or two. figs and dates are very apparent.

M - full taste. alcohol burns the tongue a tiny bit.

O - Certainly recommend some aging. At current state it has a great base. Some mellowing would do wonders.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 22:40:28 | More by weonfire

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75

12 oz. bottle poured into a snifter. Bottled in 2011. Looks like 4/11/2011.

Appearance - Deep copper with some sediment and a short lived head of large discrete bubbles. Nothing but a pencil thin collar when all is said and done. Not really all that viscous in appearance.

Smell - Rough from the booze. It smells all of 15% and then some. Fruity and just a hint of caramel, but it's a lot of alcohol and not a pleasant alcohol aroma either. As it warms, it gets a bit raisiny.

Taste - A fair bit better than the smell, as the alcohol is more subdued. Much more raisin and caramel with the lighter fruit flavors coming farther back. The alcohol enhances some of those apple flavors in the back. Finishes hot, but not terribly sweet.

Mouthfeel - I expected it to be more syrupy, but it's thinner than I expected. Maybe it's dried out a bit in a year and a half. Medium carbonation. Hot.

Overall - After the first couple of sips, I thought I might dump it. Now I think I'll get through at least half of it before deciding I don't need any more alcohol tonight.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 02:47:09 | More by Alieniloquium

FanofHefe

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2012 version that pours a slightly hazy amber color with a hint of orange. A little less than a one-finger off-white head that dissipates fairly quickly but leaves a smattering of lacing.

The aroma is complex and centers around the malt. Some fruity notes are there, including the date/raisin, some light pear, but no hops that i can detect. But, the caramel malt dominates the aroma.

The flavor is really good, too. Of course, centered around the sweet maltiness, but there is also a sweet fruit flavor that blends the date/raisin/fig/apple/pear flavors. The finish also brings just a touch of bitterness, which is not clearly related to hops, but it's not roasted malt either. So, a mystery, but also a bonus, since the rest of the flavor is sweet.

Very thick mouthfeel, and I only get a bit of the booziness with the high abv. I really like this more than I thought I would. It's a different take on a barelywine, but not totally in a different mold. I definitely recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 00:17:58 | More by FanofHefe

zac16125

Florida

2.98/5  rDev -24.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a tulip
2012 vintage

A: Pours a very dark amber, almost brown, with 2 fingers width of light tan head, which has great retention and leaves a small amount of lacing.

S: Odd aroma on this one, booze and apple, with some burnt candied sugar, hints of caramel/toffee.

T: Incredibly sweet. Taste and nose dont match up too well. Its got a vinous, cheap wine type of character. Booze. Some citrusy notes. Its very much got a cheap malt liquor-esque quality, and call me crazy but its reminiscent of Four Lokos in that regard, very booze with an artificially fruit sweetness. Needless to say, "reminiscent of Four Lokos" is not a good quality.

M/D: Full bodied but not thick, slightly syrupy, carbonation is appropriate. Drinkability is average.

O: This one was interesting, and interesting is not always a good thing. Im probably giving it the benefit of the doubt with my ratings, but I do give it some bonus points for being a big boozy beer. Its not necessarily bad, and for a 15% barleywine the price is great, but its not something I would probably drink again. Maybe Ill grab one or two to sit on for a number of years and see if it gets better. As is, its a pass (unless you are trying to get drunk cheaply).

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 02:10:58 | More by zac16125

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.94/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a snifter

The body sits a deep amber in color with some patches of bubbles over top of the liquid. A thin collar of foam remains.

Ripe granny smith apples, figs, dates, booze, toffee, plums, and caramel leap from the glass. Broad and complex.

Figs and dates up front with toffee, caramel, plums, and brown sugar through the middle. The finish is a hearty dose of booze and lightly tart granny smith apples. As this guy sits around, some bitter orange peel and vanilla come out. There is a bit of lingering sugary sweetness with a layer of bitterness that sweeps in.

Full-bodied with low carbonation. The booze makes this a little prickly.

A big, bad barleywine that is a little rough around the edges. Broad and complex, with layers of flavor. The booze is a little intrusive.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:59:03 | More by ColForbinBC

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

P- Pittsburgh Bottle Cafe

A- a copper orange color with minimal head that dissipates quickly. quite opaque as well.

S- a dark candied apple vinegar smell to it. I also get some fig and raisin in the nose as well. dark malts as well.

F- fig and raisins come out on the tongue and the apple goes to background. Very good combinations though.

M- Chewy and full of alcohol. very nice

O- I am taking my time with this bad boy. Very nice complements all around with the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:28:20 | More by Dodo2step

Quackershnoc

Michigan

4.49/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: beautiful copper color; thin white head that dissipates rapidly
Aroma: caramel and malt hit right away; some really nice fruit notes-cherry, grape, maybe a hint of apple, dark fruit; a little boozy
Taste: follows the nose almost exactly; big caramel malty sweetness up front; some dates in there too; moves into the fruit flavors-cherry, grape, fig, raisin; a very slight hop presence; just a bit of roasty goodness; finishes with an alcohol kick and apple tartness; aftertaste is fruity, oaky, ashy, slightly dry and very pleasant
Mouthfeel: feels like a good red wine; on the heavier side, but not heavy per se; perfectly carbonated
Overall Impression: wow, I really like this beer; I have to be careful, at 15% this will kick your butt; very smooth and drinkable, as soon as I swallow I want another taste; sip on this guy all night with a great book and you’ll be just fine; it’s just a darn good beer; I really cannot wait to see what a year or 2 does to this guy…if I can resist that long; did I mention that I really like this…just a great brew that blew my mind; I will probably look for this every time it comes out...it is not fair, it just gets better with every sip!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 04:13:41 | More by Quackershnoc

Lognar

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

2012 Olde School poured into a snifter

A - a beautiful coppery orange.

S - Sweet. Tons of sweetness. Right away it's got me thinking of a sweet white wine instead of a beer. Dark fruit, citrus, and orange peel dominate the nose with the orange peel adding some acidity.

T - Sweet and fruity. The nose was a great preview of the taste. Tons of sweetness and citrus. Hints of orange peel bitterness carry the finish. I am loving the taste of this brew.

M - Chewy, almost syrupy, and nice and warming.

O - What a wonderful brew. This being only my second barleywine ever, I still do not know the style that well, but this was just amazing. Great sweetness. A nice smooth alcohol warmness. The, wait let me check, 15% alcohol - really? damn, this brew could get me in trouble - the 15% is hidden really well and doesn't dominate the brew with booziness. I loved this brew fresh. I can only imagine what some time in the cellar would do for it.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 04:58:02 | More by Lognar

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle. bottled in 2012.

A: hazed. deep copper. head is off-white and bubbly. retention is weak as is the lacing which is missing.

S: alcohol. figs, dates, and dark currants. brown sugar. marshmallow.

T: lots of heat to start. then as it warms the fruitier it gets. similar to the nose, figs and plums. lots of brown sugar. burnt brown sugar. lingering sweetness for days.

M: carb could use some more bubbles. full mother fucking body.

D: for how fresh this is im really enjoying it. I expected even more of a hot mess like some of DFH other big bodied brews. however everything seems to work nicely here and gives me something to look forward to for the bottle in my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 06:55:18 | More by Jimmys

tdm168

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to jtd1969 for finding this one for me.

A - dark ruby amber with a soft, thin layer of off white head that has little retention

S - caramel, candy sugar, alcohol, grapefruit

T - sweet caramel, grapefruit, citrusy hops, candy sugar, alcohol, faint vanilla, very faint pine in the finish

M - full bodied, warm, sticky, well carbonated

This is a very interesting Barleywine. I did not expect the intense citrusy hop character. The malt character is pretty decent. It's sweet but not cloying. There are hints of candy sugar and vanilla throughout. The alcohol is well hidden for 15%. This is a decent beer that is worth trying but for me I would prefer either a more malt forward beer or a less citrusy hop character.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 00:40:17 | More by tdm168

Brandywine

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Like liquid amber. Stunningly clear deep golden reddish orange. Poured two fingers of an off white head. Tons of carbonation streaming. Alcohol legs just sit on the sides.

Smell: Vinous, white wine grape quality, malty sweetness, crisp fruit.

Taste: Light stone fruit dominates this barleywine. Pear, peach, some sweet orange too. Citrus notes as well. There's definitely some booze but it adds dimension to the flavor without detracting. The sweet white wine in the nose is in the flavor too.

Mouthfeel. Full with lots of carbonation.

Overall: Not much complexity on the nose. Flavor is really good and surprisingly mellow.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 06:25:05 | More by Brandywine

vfgccp

New York

4.15/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nov 2008 bottle, opened December 2012.

A - Pouring off before the sediment hits, this is a beautiful beer. Almost no head at all, but the body is a deep cranberry mahogany.

S - Definitely an american barleywine. Bright booze over caramel, prunes, bing cherries, and apricots.

T - Almost a mirror of the nose. Raisins, caramel, white booze, cranberry. Surprisingly bright with 4 years behind the bottle.

M - Super smooth with just enough kick to let you know it's a barleywine.

O - A really nice barleywine. It took 4 years in stride, and could probably even take another 2 to reach peak condition. Nice profile, nice integration, and great mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 02:40:44 | More by vfgccp

CHADMC3

Connecticut

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy ruby body with copper hues beneath the velvety tan head that leaves just a thin ring of lacing clinging to the glass.

Nice aromas of sweet figs and dates as advertised compliment the traditional vinous aromas of the English Barleywine with the woody hop notes of the American style.

The flavor again offers figs and dates with additional sweet malt associated with the style again complimented by the woody hop notes. If such a thing as a Belgian Quad Barleywine with American hop notes, this would be it.

This brew is pretty thick, part syrup and a bit chewy with little carbonation and a sweet vinous finish.

This is a robust beer to say the least and I really like what DFH has done with it. So much character and yet quite drinkable. It actually reminds of D’Extra just a touch.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 03:45:11 | More by CHADMC3

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear but still hazy somewhat darker amber. Body seems thin with little lacing at all, head somewhat weak maybe 1/4" at best orange tinted white.

Smell: Strong honey and fruits, it makes you think you are about to have something sweet, then again depends how you interpret sweet.

Taste: Off the bat it feels average but it does improve with every sip. It's strong alcohol is evident, scotch feel paired with dark fruit. Honey and figs are strong, gives it a sweet feel that I am truly appreciating.

Mouth: Medium maybe little light, makes me feel like I am having something flat but this brew is ridiculously sticky that that's why it gets at least a four. Glass down paired with cheddar still I can taste it.

Overall: Would I buy it again, honestly I would have to think about it...depends in the mood that I am in. Barleywines are everywhere and there are some that are easier to find than this one. I would buy it because of it's strong ABV level and that's pretty much it. I am not knocking it everyone should try it, rarely you get a something as unique as this. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 05:18:29 | More by BlurryVisi0n

chugalug06

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Vintage 2012

Very nice full figured tan (ish yellow) foamy head. moderate lacing. Head has nice staying power too. Brew is murky blood-orange color. Nice stream of bubbles rise.

Slight tartness, grapy, yum. Woody, chardonnay, no sweetness or heat.

PHEW! You can tell this will take your head off... But, can't taste the burn, or over sweetness. Well done. It kinda reminds me of 120min, but with more depth and character. Fig addition is great and brings the brew full circle and completes it's well rounded-ness. Nice balance between wet/dry. Refreshing and perfect lighter carbonation.

Highly recommended. I anxious to see how this brew does with ~5years behind it.. More to come. Nice work DFH!!!

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 19:52:30 | More by chugalug06

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A. Copper orange brown. Big fluffy head with sticky webbing on the glass.

S. apples, raisins, fruity, alcohol, sweet syrup.

T. Sweet up front with a syrupy like mouthfeel. Boozy, drying bitter finish.

O. Amazing how this brew is 15%. It is hidden quite nicely which can be dangerous. This is worth a try for sure, but It doesnt knock your sox off like other DFH beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 03:39:39 | More by andrewjraab

Googs

New York

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz pour

A: Dark and thick auburn colored body with a small off white head. Good amount of alcohol sticking to the glass

S: Sweet malts and dark fruits. Dates, raisins figs. Smelling the booze and a small bit of critrus from the hops, not as much as expected.

T: taste follows suit, big boozy and sweet. Caramel and dates. A malt forward beer, but getting a little of the pine and grapefruit hops. Boozy,but not harsh. Not bad but nothing very interesting going on.

M: Syrupy sweet but also creamy. Low carbonation but a good amount for this style and abv. Warming from the alcohol, it is a dipper but the drinkablity ain't horrible.

O: an interesting and solid barleywine from dogfish head, but certainly not exceptional. It's too sweet in my opinion, I prefer both English and American styles, but the balance on this is not on point. I'm not complaining about the alcohol heat, it's 15%. I'd like to revist this in a bottle with a year or two on it

Serving type: on-tap

12-20-2012 03:06:14 | More by Googs

cjoc83

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The 2012 Olde School pours an ever so slightly cloudy burnt amber with an initial fingers worth of foamy head that settles quickly to a ring around the tulip. No lacing.

Big brown sugar dusted candied dark fruits jump out at me in the nose, with some sweetness and a little booze. Smells pretty damn tasty.

And tastes pretty damn tasty as well. Brewed with figs and dates for sure, there's no mistaking the initial wave of candied dark fruits, then settles nicely into some brown sugar and some unexpected earthy/juicy hops before finishing off with some heat. The alcohol warmth is nice and not over-powering.

Thick and chewy with low carbonation, this feller is definitely a sipper. Leaves a nice, sweet dark fruit and slight hop bitterness aftertaste. Finishes rather dry.

Well, this was my first go-around with DfH's Olde School, but it certainly won't be my last. While the price and abv will certainly keep this out of the regular line-up for me, this is a great brew to pick up once in a while when I want a big, bold barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 02:15:13 | More by cjoc83

YCantWeNotBeSober

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A - Copper Red, Thin head that virtually dissipates into nothingness. Honestly looks quite elegant in a stemmed wine glass.

S - Aroma is dominated by crisp grape, hops and a touch of alcohol

T - Very Hot! Initial flavor of alcohol gives way to pineapple sweetness. Finishes extremely dry with subtle grape-like (must be the figs / dates) dark fruit flavor like an extremely dry wine.

M - Thick, rich, syrupy. Coats the tongue. Very little carbonation.

O - Very true to the style. A great sipper packed with tons of flavor. This beer would definitely benefit from some aging to tame the heat a bit.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 21:11:34 | More by YCantWeNotBeSober

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

looks nicely carbonated for a barley wine, got a half inch of head though it quickly diminished. a nice clean reddish brown pour. smells of grapes, tea leaves, vanilla, caramel, heavy booze scent. the flavor is very sweet up front with a slight bitterness in the finish. malt heavy sugary sweet with a banana like overtone, and a wooden oak flavor in the finish. full body, moderately carbonated.. very syrupy, very heavy on the booze (nice instant chest warming).. overall, a very nice barleywine and one hell of a sipper. for being 15% abv, you can't tell that much - i've had 9% beers that were way more overwhelming with the alcohol taste than this one. glad i finally got myself some of this one, it's been impossible to find for the previous years.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 13:33:14 | More by facundoCNB

tectactoe

Michigan

3.89/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a dark-amber, almost maroon-like color, a bit hazy and cloudy; small off-white head reduced to a ring around the glass quickly and didn't leave any notable lacing. Smell was strong and very in-your-face - dried, dark fruits; figs, plums, raisins soaked in alcohol. Boozy, but not quite leading you to think it's a 15%-er. Some sweetness and caramelized sugar notes abound as well. Taste is full of caramel and toffee malts all around; fruity and sweet with figs and plums and some other fruits that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe a hint of licorice. Alcohol is warming and apparent; doesn't quite feel like 15%, but it's certain strong and induces sipping rather than gulping. Some hops here and there, may be hard to detect at first over the abundance of malt, but they are a dry, ashy, slightly floral in flavor. Aftertaste is full of burnt sugar, date sweetness, and a touch of toffee and alcohol. Medium-thick body, almost syrupy; sticky, abrasive, low carbonation.

Pretty good American barleywine from DFH. Certainly not anything groundbreaking here, but at 15$ a 4-pack, it's certainly not a bad choice.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 15:46:22 | More by tectactoe