Olde School Barleywine - Dogfish Head Brewery

Olde School BarleywineOlde School Barleywine

Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.
BA SCORE
89
very good
-
1,533 Ratings
THE BROS
86
very good
-
read more »
rAvg: 3.95
pDev: 13.67%
Reviews: 921
Hads: 612

Ratings Help


Brewed by:
Dogfish Head Brewery visit their website
Delaware, United States

Style | ABV
American Barleywine |  15.04% ABV

Availability: Fall. bottle (855), on-tap (63), growler (2), cask (1)

Notes:
Bold, yet smooth! Fermented with dates and figs, this bone-crushing barleywine has a unique flavor.

85 IBU
ABV varies from 13-16%.

Reviews

Sort by:  Latest | High | Low | Top Reviewers | Read the Alström Bros Beer Reviews and Beer Ratings of Olde School Barleywine Alström Bros  | Show Hads:
« first ‹ prev | 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100  | next › last »
Photo of Jimmys
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
Photo of tdm168
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
Photo of Brandywine
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
Photo of vfgccp
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
Photo of CHADMC3
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
Photo of BlurryVisi0n
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
Photo of chugalug06
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
Photo of andrewjraab
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
Photo of Googs
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
Photo of cjoc83
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
Photo of YCantWeNotBeSober
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
Photo of facundoCNB
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
Photo of tectactoe
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
Photo of thecheapies
thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Olde School, poured in a tulip glass. 2012.

Wow!! I can't believe this beer has this much head and head retention at 15%! Extreme clarity with an auburn color. Sepiated white head reached a good inch-and-a-half and really wanted to stick. Looks marvelous!

Semi-boozy, but not 15% boozy, malty aromas of dark fruits, toffee, and earthy hops that don't steal any sort of show. Mildest nose I've ever experienced on a beer this big. Not in a bad way, subtle and with complexity. Hints of caramel, grapefruit juice, malt toast, and maraschino cherry.

Rich and smooth and begging to be aged. Although, I must admit, the hop presence in this (and it's not that much) is a really nice touch. Very spicy in the booze, but with lovely layers of the figs and dates that it's brewed with. Brandy-like sweetness with some bright flavors of raisin-y grape and stewed cherries. Offers some light roast with exceptionally warming alcohol. This is an unreal brew.

Damn! (No joke, I'm currently listening to 'Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover' by Sophie B. Hawkins) I can't believe how smooth this baby drinks! Silk medium-thick body with just that right touch of carbonation. This beer is deserving all the points so far.

I'm most impressed with Dogfish Head on this'un. And, to think, it's the first time around for me on this one (AND, I have a four-pack from last year saved... further reviews to come!)

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 04:11:11 | More by thecheapies
Photo of Wolfpack2005
Wolfpack2005

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 Vintage

A-Pours a hazy rusty amber with minimal head but leaves a nice cap on the beer.

S-A sweet medium strength aroma that smells of dark fruits and candied sugars. Also detecting a faint alcohol smell as well.

T-The sweetness of the dark fruits (figs, apples, raisins, etc.) and caramel is the first thing that I am picking up on. There is a slight hop presence but nothing overpowering. Where most beers would quietly fade away, Olde School finishes with a strong tartness and alcohol flavor that gives you one last punch before you put it down.

M-Mouthfeel is light to medium body (relative to other barleywines) and mild carbonation.

O-A solid barleywine, not a messy overly sweetened hop bomb that I have come to expect of the style. Fairly smooth flavors for being such a young beer, but I definitely aging will serve this beer well.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:06:39 | More by Wolfpack2005
Photo of BWED
BWED

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Let's be honest. The first thing I noticed was 15%. The strongest beer I have encountered up to this point. But I got it because: 1. It's a barleywine, and I am continually (but happily) overwhelmed by their complexity, and 2. It's Dogfish Head, and ever since moving to the east coast I've been spoiled with brews by DFH, that I never knew existed. (60 Minute seemed to be the only thing to make it to Indy.) That being said:

Picked up a 4-pack, 12 oz. bottles, poured into a pint.

A- Rosy copper, filtered to take in the light and show all that color. Fairly thin, off white head, that sticks around, reminding you that it's still a beer, not paint thinner. (Although, it would probably work.) Lacing sticks nicely all the way down the glass.

S- Raisin or dried fruit, probably from the figs/dates, definitely sweet and a little boozy. Not as much as I had expected from such a strong beer.

T- Sweet... that's all I can think of. The alcohol isn't as apparent with the taste as it is with the warm feel, but it could be dousing the flavor. I may have to let the rest of my bottles sit for a while and see if it mellows out.

M- Velvety and slightly sticky. A real sipping beer. Thanks mouthfeel for pacing me on this one. Alcohol warms the mouth, body, and soul, which makes it a treat for a cold December night.

O- Complex. But that's barleywines. I think it may be a little too strong, but if I'm patient enough, I'll let one of these age and try to review it again. Right now, though, I think it is still quality, and best enjoyed after a long, exhausting day.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 03:29:21 | More by BWED
Photo of gabedivision
gabedivision

New York

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle to a DFH snifter glass

A- pours a deep rusty red, hazy, visible alcohol legs, no head to speak of just a very small tight white bubbled trim around the glass

S- sweet brown sugar, candied toffee, smooth caramel, alcohol soaked rasins, candied dark fruits.

T- brown sugar up front, then a snowballing heat from the booze that opens the taste buds to the sweetest dark fruits, caramel, toffee, sugar, extremely sweet and complex a nice vanilla and subtle oak comes out as the hlass warms up and mellows out, and finishes with another wave of alcohol on the end.

M- very full bodied, very sweet, minimal carbonation, finishes very dry

O- sweet and boozey barleywine, at 15% you'd have to expect it. Well rounded beer complex on all fronts, big sweet rasins, and dark fruits really shine through, I would assume these will come together a bit more with some age

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:00:17 | More by gabedivision
Photo of Greywulfken
Greywulfken

New York

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: clear medium amber body with a finger of off-white head

S: boozy and candied fruits, some whiskey-ish notes

T: has that same candied fruit soaked in booze flavor, but the alcohol is apparent, creating a little tinny astringency

M: slick, medium-weight, no palpable carbonation - slides quickly across the palate

O: I love Dogfish Head products and barleywines, but I would have to rate this as fairly average - it had nothing to set it apart from the rest, nor to elevate it above them, but it was, of course, a very enjoyable barleywine, and of course I'd buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 01:33:13 | More by Greywulfken
Photo of PeterIngemi
PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a dfh snifter. 2012 vintage.

A: pours a caramely fruit punch color with a finger if of white head, dissaptes quickly, some spots of sticky lacing, looks syrupy.

S; smells kind of how it looks, the aroma isn't as sticky and pungent as I expected... Don't get me wrong, it does smell sweet. Reminds me of figgy fruit punch.

T: yum, again, deffinatly reminds me of apple/figgy aaraneonfruit bunch with a bit of alcohol heat, on the sweet side for sure, but it works here.

M: syrupy and heavy, lower carbonation and a strong alcohol bite on the finish.

O: this is a good sweet barley wine, that will defiantly warm you right up... Could see this aging very well like the label suggest, guess its time to go dig a 2x2 3 foot deep hole.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:13:35 | More by PeterIngemi
Photo of BuxMontBeerLover
BuxMontBeerLover

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle was purchased at the DFH Brewery on Black Friday 2012.

Purchase price: $12.50/4pk

Poured into and enjoyed from a DFH Signature Glass

A - Beer pours a semi-translucent reddish, amber color. Little to no head on the initial pour. Lots of sticky lacing left after drinking.

S - A rather boozy-smelling sweetness hits you on the initial sniff. Smells potent even before the first sip.

T - The aroma is backed up on the first taste. The high ABV hits you initially but when it warms up some is when the beer really gets good. A mix of sweet malts, burnt sugar, caramel, dark fruits (dates and figs), grapefruit, and a mild hop bitterness. Since this was a fresh bottle, I would assume that the booziness factor is higher than it would be after aging it for a bit. As it is, it's still a great tasting brew. The 15% ABV and overall heaviness of the beer make this a perfect sipper.

M - A thicker, slightly syrupy consistency. Low carbonation.

O - I really enjoyed this beer. I have no idea how much better it would taste after aging but it's drinking really fine now. So do yourself a favor, drink some now and follow the directions on the label that recommend that you "dig a hole, bury it for a year and come back". Another great beer from DFH!

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:25:40 | More by BuxMontBeerLover
Photo of cosmicevan
cosmicevan

New York

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

Newest 2012 vintage. picked up a 4 pack to check it out. enjoyed from a DFH signature glass.

a - brew poured a ruby mahogany with a thin fizzy head. the brew was semi transparent and visible carbonation should be seen racing to the surface from the etching in the bottom of the glass.

s - rich figs and grapejuice. booze soaked dark fruits and lots of sweetness. smells more like a BSDA than an american barleywine.

t - much like the nose big fig and grapejuice notes. not as boozy as the nose suggests, but still some head. again, more like a BSDA than an american barleywine. not getting much hops that i would expect for an american barley.

m - smooth for such a big beer, not rich and syrupy, but rich in flavor. medium to full bodied. a bit chewy.

o - overall, are you sure this isn't a BSDA? has all the makings of a classic one. either way, i like it. not the best beer i've ever had, but definitely an enjoyable beer that i will look for more of and that i'm glad i got a 4 pack instead of a single. interested to see what time does. winner fresh.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 03:58:42 | More by cosmicevan
Photo of MadScientist
MadScientist

New York

3.75/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: A cloudy dull mohagany, deep amber beer with a quick to fade slight light tan head.

S: A rich malty, raisiny smell with a surprisingly subtle perfume alcohol aroma. The alcohol may be masked by the malt sweetness. There is a slight umami and no diacetyl.

T: A smooth raisin and almost maple syrup with out the sweetness sort of taste going on having a very noticeable alcohol presence. The medium-high hops bitterness takes over next with an orange peel like fruity flavor that seems pithy from the bitterness. The balance is bitter with the bitterness and pithiness lingering long into the after taste. The finish is slight off-dry.

M: There a bunch of heat from the first sip but it doesn't seem to impacting me this far in. Te body is medium-full with moderate carbonation.

O: A much more subdued beer than the one I encountered almost five years ago though I do rather enjoy the huge hops bill that this enormous malt foundation provides when young. It's worth aging a couple years but I review a younger bottle at some time as this isn't an entirely fair score for this beer that while built to last shows better in its youth.
Bottled On 11/21/2008

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 00:15:30 | More by MadScientist
Photo of Paymygasbill77
Paymygasbill77

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a bottle purchased in 2010 aged, opened and poured into a wine glass.

Appearance: Like a good, dark barleywine. Brownish-red, cloudy with very little head and mild lacing.

Smell: AMAZING! Dark fruit and Caramel. I didn't have to stick my nose in the glass, I could smell it from the moment I cracked the cap. I had to stick my nose in anyways for the full effect.

Taste: Malty, Dry, dark fruit and BONE DRY. After tasting this the past two years I was still expecting a cloying, hoppy mess. This has transformed into a totally different beer. If you buy this, don't bother drinking it for at least a year.

Mouthfeel: chewy and wonderful. Like a barleywine should be.

Overall: FANTASTIC! Like I said, Don't drink unless you set it asside for a year or more.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 03:31:23 | More by Paymygasbill77
Photo of MrBoh
MrBoh

Maryland

4.85/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

October 2011 bottle (bought). About 1 year from purchase to taste. I only aged it because it told me to. And believe me, it was worth it. Everyone LOVED it. Nice pungent aroma as soon as it was poured. Like a red wine. Not what I was expecting, even though it is a barleyWINE. As I tasted it and let it sit, the more complex the taste and aromas became. It took on more of a red wine character. With the complexity of this one, I really should have reviewed it on the spot. But, unfortunately, it'll be at least a year before I can get another 1 year old Olde School. But, nonetheless, it is one more reason to but and age another 4 pack... or 4 cases for that matter.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 05:25:54 | More by MrBoh
Photo of Agold
Agold

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -35.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

Bottled In: 2011 101

This beer is a dark caramel red-brown color with a just off white head. About 2 cm which recedes to a film shortly. Spotty lacing. Aroma is caramel, molasses, burnt sugar and fruit forward. A bit of heat, but very nice. Unfortunately this beer really doesn't deliver. Acetone, burnt sugar, heat, solventy, and figs. Sweet and solvents are the two words I would use to describe this beer. Mouthfeel is somehow worse. Thin, hot, mid level carbonation. If it was going to be that thin it needs to be less carbonated, and it needed a lot more body. Really not a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2012 00:58:42 | More by Agold
« first ‹ prev | 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100  | next › last »
Olde School Barleywine from Dogfish Head Brewery
89 out of 100 based on 1,533 user ratings.