Big Worst - Mikkeller ApS

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Jim at Sherbrooke for the sample. Comes in a 375 ml green bottle, caged and corked with white foil around the neck.

Dark cloudy amber in appearance, short creamy beige head that settles quickly to a dime thin cap.

Sweet citrus notes of orange and grapefruit, cherry, sweet yet dry malt. Some alcohol and warmth.

Alcohol warmth predominates everything else, sweet malt with light orange notes, spicy citrus hops on finish to balance out the sweetness, while intense alcohol warmth bookends the finish and aftertaste as well. Dry, musty aftertaste.

Medium-full mouthfeel, slick texture, low carbonation, lots of alcohol warmth on the palate and down the throat.

Quite drinkable for a barley wine of such a high alcohol content, however it lacks in the flavour department and of character with the toss up being the approachable high alcohol content. Worth trying for the sake of it, or to warm your bones on a chilly winter night, otherwise there are far more flavourful barleywines out there to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 03:40:34 | More by IronDjinn

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +21.6%

05-13-2013 05:58:48 | More by Bonko_the_sane

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

05-11-2013 00:48:53 | More by Jason1337

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

04-26-2013 23:58:35 | More by spycow

bark

Sweden

4/5  rDev +8.1%

02-07-2013 20:01:38 | More by bark

calcnerd

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.1%

02-02-2013 01:27:19 | More by calcnerd

eawolff99

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

01-16-2013 21:50:00 | More by eawolff99

AxesandAnchors

Oregon

2.75/5  rDev -25.7%

01-14-2013 08:06:41 | More by AxesandAnchors

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Batch 1

If you are going to sell flat beer, skip the pretentious cork and cage for christ's sake. Don't make me use a pair of pliers to get the fucking cork out of the bottle. A standard cap would work just fine.

a: This was a clear, dark mahogany color. This was dead flat, it poured with no head.

s: Strong warmth, but not obnoxious heat coming out of this one. I found honey, sherry, faint soy sauce, rubbing alcohol, caramel, and cherry cough syrup.

t: Cough syrup comes to mind first, but this is pleasant enough overall. Warm but not hot sherry, sugary Raisin Bran raisins, alittle soy sauce around the edges, and some lingering sticky sweetness.

m: Thick and heavy. Not horrible for the style, but some buubles would have been nice.

o: Not bad overall. Interesting flavors, but this is over priced. I regret the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 23:25:14 | More by DIM

profondo

Sweden

4/5  rDev +8.1%

11-06-2012 18:25:58 | More by profondo

t0rin0

California

3/5  rDev -18.9%

10-29-2012 01:21:51 | More by t0rin0

MrRockstar

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -25.7%

10-22-2012 22:56:35 | More by MrRockstar

Dope

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I assume this is batch 1, 17.6% ABV. Dated 07/12/19, I assume "best by".

A: Pours a murky, rusty brown. No head other than a handful of bubbles as it is poured, which quickly disappear. No lacing of course.

S: Sickly sweet with a freight train of caramel. Some toffee with lots of dark fruit, raisin stands out the most by far. Hints of molasses. Very strong and sharp and extremely boozy.

T: Fruity up front with the raisin and perhaps fig and grape. Loads and loads of caramel, burnt sugars and toffee. Ends mainly with toffee lingering into a long lasting boozy aftertaste.

M: Thick doesn't cut it. Very heavy and with no carbonation; it's like drinking syrup. Tough to drink, can barely sip it.

O: What a strange brew. There's nothing "wrong" with it, it's basically a huge yet simple barleywine. Super boozy, alcohol is not hidden at all. No carbonation too - makes it very tough to drink though, a sipper for sure. Maybe cellar this one for a few decades and see how it comes out. I think it has potential.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 04:41:16 | More by Dope

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 375mL bottle into a Koningshoevn chalice. Batch #1 (January 2012) brewed at 17.6%.

A: No head. Mud brown and not very pretty. Opaque.

S: Flat (dead) yeast. Caramel malt. Alcohol. Brown sugar. Like an old Old Ale.

T/M: Mmm. Big, sweet, and smooth. Apples and brown sugar; like a brandy or spiced cider. No carbonation whatsoever. The aftertaste is lingering and almost sticky-sweet. Almost (but not quite) oppressive.

O: The numbers in this review don't do the overall beer justice, but it's actually really nice, if quite sweet. Recommended. Drinkable. Tasty. Impressively large.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 05:06:06 | More by AgentMunky

ajs4bd

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

08-20-2012 12:20:33 | More by ajs4bd

rvdoorn

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +8.1%

07-14-2012 20:42:46 | More by rvdoorn

dbossman

Nebraska

3.9/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Gold and clear with just a touch of head; lacing is surprisingly good

S: So boozy; so much alcohol with a touch of butter; lots of grains but God, this beer is boozy

T: So much booze--even a bit of smokey scotch flavors; this is grainy and it burns--wow, does it burn; boozy, buttery, grainy, and awesome

F: Decently carbonated; fairly creamy

O: Holy crap, this is a big, boozy beer, and I love it; I'm not sure what style this actually is but I love this boozy, grainy glass of awesomeness

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 22:48:35 | More by dbossman

KevinTK

4.5/5  rDev +21.6%

05-30-2012 14:27:56 | More by KevinTK

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

having paid princely sums for mikkeller's offerings in the past and come away underwhelmed, here's hoping that'll change.

12.7oz corked and caged bottle served in a snifter.

pours a murky, dark amber tone with no trace of head whatsoever. this is a huge beer, so i don't hold that against it completely, but i'm nervous; not a fan of undercarbonated beers.

the aroma isn't among the more potent barleywines i've whiffed but i get notes of sweet maltiness/candied sugar, a touch of hops, and plenty of booze. taste is ok, mostly following the nose. candied fruit/sugar, caramel, a bit a spice, and an earthiness. not bad. there is nice degree of complexity which i feel is overshadowed by the heat.

pretty full-bodied with very low carbonation. all in all there are some enjoyable elements to this beer but in the end i'm not blown away. again, the steep price tag fails to deliver a beer worthy of it.

originally reviewed: 01-04-2011

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 21:18:37 | More by BostonHops

The22Lou

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +21.6%

04-11-2012 19:05:20 | More by The22Lou

Jhatwig

4/5  rDev +8.1%

04-02-2012 02:05:23 | More by Jhatwig

quilty

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

02-29-2012 02:33:37 | More by quilty

scott2269

Ohio

3/5  rDev -18.9%

02-26-2012 15:45:10 | More by scott2269

DangerDawg

Ohio

3/5  rDev -18.9%

02-26-2012 02:28:45 | More by DangerDawg

chrispoint

Connecticut

2/5  rDev -45.9%

02-18-2012 17:28:15 | More by chrispoint