Pompier
Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.

PompierPompier
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From:
Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.
 
New Hampshire, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
12.1%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 27.79%
Reviews:
30
Ratings:
32
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 16, 2020
Added:
Jan 13, 2008
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
English Style Barleywine Ale aged in oak whiskey barrels.
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Ratings by awall422:
Photo of awall422
Reviewed by awall422 from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bought this at Julio's back in December, been letting it sit a little while.

Opened the flip-top to barely audible hiss, then poured a clear, reddish-brown with a good finger of light tan head into a sam adams glass. head had decent lasting power for a strong beer. lacing was ok, with a bit of legs.

smell was pretty much just the oak. pleasant, but not complex.

taste was better than expected, vanilla jumped out at me right away, with the oak barrel adn a little spiciness following. virtually no hops beyond that bit of spiciness, but it's an english barleywine, so that's ok.

mouthfeel was really nice, creamy and rich, much thicker than any other barleywine i've had.

for the style, drinkability was good, goes down really smooth. don't try to drink one of these big bottles yourself though.
Mar 16, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of SLeffler27
Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York

3.3/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Reviewed 17 Sep 2011.

Pours clear dark copper verging on ruby with a big, creamy, manila head that slowly drops minimal lacing.

Presents aromas of fruity plum pudding with figs and a clear note of brandy.

Sour cherries with figs. Bitterness is almost on the mark, but the sweetness is gone. Resin-like flavors co-exist with raisins. This is akin to a dry red wine with a long finish. Warmth brings out suggestions of lime.

A medium body with syrupy texture that sticks to the lips. Alcohol is notable, but less powerful than 12% would suggest. Astringency is a detriment.

Three years in the cellar do not seem to have produced the anticipated effects. This was a decent sipping beer, however, not worth the wait.
Aug 16, 2020
 
Rated: 1.5 by jophish17 from Georgia

Mar 01, 2012
 
Rated: 1 by whartontallboy from New York

Jan 14, 2012
Photo of woosterbill
Reviewed by woosterbill from Kentucky

2/5  rDev -42.7%
look: 5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1
1 liter swingtop, 2008 vintage, into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a deep, hazy plum body that resides beneath a three-finger head of creamy pinkish-tan foam; good retention and tons of lace. Probably the best-looking barleywine I've seen. Beautiful.

S: Sweet + sour aroma of ripe fruit (cherries, apples, etc), as well as a bit of funky tartness - yeah, I'm pretty sure it's infected. Interesting, though.

T: Yeah, heavy lactic sourness on top of tart fruit. Intriguing but not at all well balanced, and it becomes more unbearable with every sip. Very disappointing.

M: Medium body + carbonation.

D: At first I thought that by splitting this with a couple friends I'd be able to make it though my glass - I was wrong. Less than a quarter of the way through my 1/3 liter I just had to give up and declare this a drainpour. My friends concurred.

Notes: I went out on a limb with this one, well aware of its potential for infection (which is why I chose the one bottle without any apparent leakage from the swingtop - lot of good that did). My gamble didn't pay off, but it helped explain why Pennichuck went under. Having this beer on the shelf for $14 is a crime.

Cheers!
Jan 25, 2010
Photo of everetends
Reviewed by everetends from Alabama

3.93/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
16 oz pour into a clear plastic cup thanks to Heroes lack of glassware on busy nights. Ah well, we will make it work.

A: Pours a dark brown with some rich red undertones to it. Stays pretty much the same when held to the light due to the milkiness of the clear plastic cup. Can't see all the way through the body, pretty rich. Pour got about a finger of head and actually retained nicely throughout the experience. No lace sticking to the plastic. Still a good looking beer and I will give it the benefit of the doubt due to the glassware.

S: Has a very nice caramel nose to it. Pretty rich. Nice and buttery, but in a toffee type sense. Alcohol is light but there. A really nice nutty aroma is coming out as well. Not really getting any fruity or hops notes out of the nose. Just a sweet treat. Little bit of grain comes out as it warms.

T: Simple but nice for sure. A nice, creamy and buttery toffee mingles well with a good caramel presence. Hops cut down the sweetness a bit with some pepper and touch of pine I think. Getting a little bit of some fruity notes, maybe fig. This has a good earthy, naturalness to it. Nice amount of wood seems to be in here, that dusty attic type feel. Roasted nuts seem to round it all out. Not bad all.

M: This falls on the very light side of full bodied. May even fall more into a medium class. I can't believe how well the alcohol is hidden. No heat, no warmth, just easy drinking. Very well crafted with the huge alcohol that is in here. Pretty slick on the palate. Aftertaste is all roasted nuts and caramel.

D: Put down two of these in a couple hour period. Although the alcohol isn't huge on the feel, it does give you the impression this should be sipped and enjoyed. Probably a good thing since you could be in trouble otherwise. Glad to have had it for sure and sorry to see Pennichuck is no more.
Jan 17, 2010
Photo of Wespatrick
Reviewed by Wespatrick from South Carolina

2.49/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
poured from a 1L swingtop into a chalice
wrapper indicates 2008 vintage
Pours burnt sienna with very little carbonation.
A small ring of bubbles lines the outside edge of the glass after a few minutes of sitting. Nose is mainly malty sweetness, some dark fruits and a faint offering of alcohol. There is a very odd flavor in the finish of this beer; maybe from the French hops, maybe some funk from the wood? Bottle says whiskey barrel aged, but I am getting nothing. I would believe oak aged, but there is zero whiskey present. I am barely 6 oz in and I am already regretting my decision to go this alone. I was excited when I found a barrel aged barleywine for $10, but I guess it was too good to be true. Major disappointment!
Jan 03, 2010
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.38/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Brown body with big soapy head. lace is observed later. Some sounress in aroma, not an english barleywine. Stout, sourish, lactic, not too drinkable. The oak whisky has absorbed some wild elements, or we can say infection problem. here ia also some sweetness, lactose, coconut.
Dec 29, 2009
Photo of alpinebryant
Reviewed by alpinebryant from Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I have copied my Tap review but am updating it to reflect the differences I saw in bottled form just popped.

Poured a dark ruby amber color with a very thick cream white head with heavy lacing.

Smelled a bit of barrel oak funk, slight wine aroma, sweet malt backbone

Huge sour bite from the start, I would say that this is a great sour beer in addition to it being a Barleywine. I had a coworker take a sip who immediately puckered up which I got a kick out of(on tap). A nice wine flavor , more oak presence in bottles IMO , some funky sour and what I thought to be the best barleywine I have had in this style.

Bottle had a little bit of bubbling at the top of the rubber gasket which worried me after having a Thomas Hooker Imperial Porter that was vinegar. Sure enough though, this Pompier tasted great and I was lucky to find it .

Drinkability is I think the only thing I think is less in bottled form because of the very strong oak flavor.
Dec 24, 2009
Photo of TheManiacalOne
Reviewed by TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island

3.65/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 1-Liter swing-top bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma has that unmistakable scent that comes from oak barrel aging along with caramel, whiskey, alcohol, brown sugar, dark fruit and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts with sweet flavors of caramel, brown sugar, whiskey and a little fruit. The oak barrel aging comes though quite strongly and there's a significant alcohol sting that comes in. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is mild but complementary. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down pretty easily for a beer with 12.10% ABV, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, I had sampled this beer at a tasting shortly after its original release and did not like it very much. It tasted a lot better this time around and even though I've had better beers in the style, this is a decent high-octane beer that would appeal to those that like the oak aging.
Nov 05, 2009
Photo of ericmunley
Reviewed by ericmunley from Pennsylvania

3.66/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Got a 1L swing top bottle from Jessup Beverage (highly recommended) here in Northeast Pennsylvania. Wanted to deviate from my usual stouts and porters, so I went with this oak aged English Barleywine.

A: Poured into a Chimay glass. Color is a deep brownish red with a quickly dissipating head. Didn't expect much in the head department, but I like the color.

S: Smells boozy and oaky. Seeing as this beer is an oak aged English Barleywine, there wasn't much of a surprise there. Faint hints of bourbon and fruit as well.

T: First thing that hit me as far as the taste of this beer goes is the oakiness. It reminds me a lot of Southern Tier's Cuvee #2 as far as oak is concerned. Right after the oak taste backs off, an abrupt, sweet alcohol taste warms the back of your throat. This was very pleasant on a cold, fall day here in PA!

M: This beer definitely has body, and the mouthfeel certainly complimented this beer's complexity.

D: Coming in right over 12% ABV, this is no session beer! However, I did enjoy two goblets with no complaints. Very suitable beer for cold nights in front of a fireplace!

Overall, I would recommend Pennichuck Pompier for those looking for a different, complex drinking experience. Fans of Belgian beers and oak ages beers alike will appreciate this beer. If you can get it for $11 like I did, jump at the chance!
Oct 16, 2009
Photo of BigMcLargeHuge
Reviewed by BigMcLargeHuge from Arizona

3.78/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Courtesy of RB's own jcwattsrugger. Liter swing top pours clear copper with nice tan head. The mild aroma brings up notes of douglas fir mixing with medium to pale colored fruitiness and a bit of mustiness. The taste is interesting to say the least. I get sweet prunes and apricots before it becomes more berry like and tart. It seems a bit like a barleywine that blends into a berry like sour beer. Very interesting. I think it works well.
Oct 07, 2009
Photo of Yetiman420
Reviewed by Yetiman420 from Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Prime16 in New Haven CT. Bartender confirmed it was 2009.

12 oz. Sniffer.

Ruby brown - not too dark. Thin quarter finger head.

Aroma is very malty sweet.

Poured 10 minutes in advance to warm.

Creamy mouthfeel. Very enjoyable and drinkable for an 09 barleywine.
Jun 14, 2009
Photo of Amalak
Reviewed by Amalak from New York

3.88/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Normally, these are the kinds of beers I really don't care for. But while extremely sweet, this beer is quite smooth. I think it definitely benefited from coming off the tap into a nice cold mug, as well.

This very, very sweet beer had a wine and sourish aftertaste. It was also quite expensive, $10. I don't know if it's a good thing that I like this barleywine beer, or bad, because I usually don't like them.
May 08, 2009
Photo of BeerNinja007
Reviewed by BeerNinja007 from New Hampshire

1/5  rDev -71.3%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
Absolutely horrible. Nothing but acrid sour cherry *vomit*. Like a lambic that someone poured battery acid into. No barleywine character discernable. 100% undrinkable. Down the sink it goes.

I really hope I got a bad bottle, because if someone thinks I'm gonna drink this, they're gonna get a punch in the nose.

I want my $14 back.
Apr 09, 2009
Photo of zeff80
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri

3.78/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A - Poured out a clear, dark copper color with a thin, small, off-white head. It left some soapy residue on the glass.

S - It smelled very malty sweet and sugary.

T - It tasted of maple syrup, sweet caramel malt, licorice and some subtle fruity flavors.

M - It was soft and smooth. A full-bodied beer with a warm alcohol presence.

D - This tasted great, but is a lot to drink (both in quantity and potency).
Jan 21, 2009
Photo of meday
Reviewed by meday from New Hampshire

4.45/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from the 1L swingtop (with "2008" covering) into two snifter chalices.

Beautiful dark mahogany color with tan head

Sweet, maple sugar aroma.

Beautiful, deep, rich flavor, filled with sweetness, caramel, rum-raisin, and possibly a bit of caramelized onion. The depth of the flavor changed quite a bit during my taste and would also changed with the food pairings.

Although sweet and alcohol, the mouthfeel is good. This beer has a body to it.

I was worried that my wife and I would not be able to finish this beer in one sitting (possibly the reason for the swingtop?), but it was very drinkable.
Dec 20, 2008
Photo of Brad007
Reviewed by Brad007 from Vermont

4.85/5  rDev +39%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
The swing top on the bottle gives a reassuring pop.

Pours a reddish-brown color with a nice one-finger head into my chalice.

Aroma is full of raisins, currants and mild alcohol warmth.

Taste is full of raisins, brown sugar and a mild alcohol warmth. As it warms up, I notice oak and whiskey from aging in oak whiskey bottles. It adds another dimension to this barleywine.

Mouthfeel is pretty easygoing and it goes down very smooth. The oak and whiskey lingers at the back of the throat followed by raisin.

A very nice, very easygoing barleywine that despite the ABV, is quite drinkable. With aging, this will be a killer barleywine to savor down the road. Well worth the price to me as I enjoy English barleywines more than their American counterparts.
Dec 20, 2008
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
a: This was a pretty, slightly hazy, dark coppery ruby color. It poured with a huge, sticky, fluffy, off-white head.

s: Fruity aromas of apples, pears, and plums that have a syrupy sweetness to them take center stage. There is also some tobacco and a yeasty aroma that has an alluring musky quality. The gentle warmth radiating from this one does not suggest an abv of 12.1%.

t: This is drier and not as sweet as the smell would suggest. This tastes of of faint malty, smoky toffee and oaky tobacco. The finish brings a juicy, sweet, candied fruit flavor that is soon blunted by a very dry and bitter herbal hop note that seems a little out of place.

m: Full bodied with long lasting, gently creamy carbonation.

d: I liked the oaking and the yeast choice, but the French hops don't add much. Still, this was unique, interesting, and delicious. That works for me.
Dec 17, 2008
Photo of MrHurmateeowish
Reviewed by MrHurmateeowish from Maine

4.48/5  rDev +28.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
1 liter swing-top bottle purchased at the liquor store in Tyngsborro, Mass. Pours a murky, virtually opaque copper colored body with a good inch of off-white head that slowly dissipates leaving some spectacular lacing. Smells fruity, woody, alcoholic, with definite bourbon notes. Tastes fruity, vinous, with caramel and toffee notes and wood and bourbon character. Aftertaste has a woody toffee character. Just a tinge of alcohol warming, though alcohol isn't nearly as present as expected. Full-bodied but stopping short of viscosity, with moderate carbonation. Much more drinkable than it should be for such a big beer, though still a bit of a sipper. Complex, balanced, and unique. Perfect for sipping on a frigid New Hampshire night like tonight. One of the finest barleywines I've had. This is a slam-dunk for Pennichuck and well worth the price-tag.
Nov 20, 2008
Pompier from Pennichuck Brewing Company, Inc.
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 32 ratings