Cockeyed Cooper - Uinta Brewing Company

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.53/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a 20 oz Duvel tulip, bottle dated 12/08/11. Pours a dark red, with a huge 3 inch off white head with red highlights, with plenty of lacing, and takes its time settling. Smell is lots of cooked brown sugar, bourbon, dark fruit, piny hops, and vanilla oak. Taste is powerful, balanced with everything from the nose. With bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit , and oak being the dominant flavors, but a bitterness in the finish that suggest bitter hops. This is really impressive, one of the most beautiful beers I have ever looked at and I love that it is a beer that blends wonderful with the bourbon not being the only true flavor. Body is large, nice carbonation especially for its heft, not that dry considering the style, and very drinkable for a beer of this magnitude. This Brewery is really impressive. Going to hopefully get a few more bottles to watch develop, would really amaze me if it could get any better.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 18:08:45 | More by SawDog505

pmarlowe

California

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tulip glass.

A: Pours a deep, dull brown with a finger of nice-looking beige head. Good clarity. A little lacing, pretty good retention.

S: Toffee and fruit, a little pine hoppiness, molasses, all mixed with a light touch of bourbon and oak. I'm usually not a big fan of hoppy barleywines, but all the flavors work well together and in balance.

T: Caramel, very slight oak, some fruity esters on the back end, finishing mildly bitter with some hop bite. Quite dry.

M: Ultra smooth. Medium carbonation and medium-full body.

O: Pretty tasty, although the oak/bourbon are almost invisible.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 05:58:35 | More by pmarlowe

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cockeyed Cooper opens with a surprisingly hoppy nose for a Barleywine. In fact, at first, a heavy smattering of grapefruit rind and pine hops is all that comes across. After a few seconds these initial aromas calm down, revealing a sugary, malty underbelly ripe with caramel, toffee, berry, orange, peach, brown sugar, and somehow, even more caramel. These sugary aromas bear a striking resemblance to caramel-covered fruits--the expensive kind found in artisan shops--and is extremely alluring. Toast crust and rising wheat dough help ground the brew. Hardly present, and surprisingly so, is any hint of bourbon, since this was barrel-aged. Only a slight vanilla and oak tinge gives it away, and that very hard to detect. As a whole, the nose is excellent, and while it may be slightly too strong on the sugars, is still enticing.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a simultaneous hop and malt slam, the former bringing grapefruit rind, pine sap, dandelion stem, and touches of eucalyptus, and the latter covering the tastebuds in waves of caramel, brown sugar, apricot, berry, white grape, and green apple. Some toast crust and baguette helps bring the beer to earth, but not by much, as the sugars are intense--so intense that it takes the full force of the beer's 65 IBUs just to get the hops noticed. Additional notes of vanilla and oak, as well as extremely subtle tawny port and cognac, give excellent depth and complexity. Late in the mouthful the port and cognac flavors rise in potency, bringing a charcoal-filtered whang to the brew, as well as for the first time revealing the high 11.1% ABV in vodka-like heady vapors. The aftertaste is a continuation of these liqueur-like flavors, as well as fainter hints of bread and grapefruit rind, and lingers for a long time. Mouthfeel is medium to medium-high, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is excellent fare, and easily one of the better Barleywines I've tasted. Especially noteworthy here is how the beer doesn't rely exclusively on heavy, thick malt flavors--such as many beers of this style do--but adds IPA-like hops and bourbon barrel aging to the mix. The result is definitely worth seeking out, and firmly places pretty much everything Uinta Brewing makes at the top of my "must try" list.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 23:25:09 | More by jondeelee

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 1/2011 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a medium clear red amber. Thin off white head and lacing. Aroma of sweet malt and oak, light, but very pleasant. Taste follows, with subdued malts, bourbon, vanilla. Nice hop bite on the finish. Medium mouth feel. Not very assertive, but well balanced and tasty. Worth cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 03:58:13 | More by LiquidAmber

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a deep mahogany color with great carbonation and sexy cap with some lacing

S: Bourbon, some cocoa, dark fruits

T: Big dark fruits, mainly raisins, figs, and some purple grapes. A bit of chocolate and candy on the mix but there was a bit more bourbon than I wanted

M: Well carbonated but big bodied however it feels lighter leaving it rather nice

O: Good, much better draft versus bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 15:42:53 | More by barleywinefiend

klopez1253

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +26.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm partial to Uinta's high alcohol beers because I know they come out of a context of 3.2/4.0 beers; the high alcohol beers could be terrible and they would still stand out, and command an audience and a market in that context. But Uinta's high alcohol beers can stand up to anyone's.

My first reaction when I tried this beer, in a bourbon barrel version, was simply "Wow." It had great taste and great subtlety (for a barleywine ale) and the bonus of the bourbon barrel. Should all my beers be so powerful and profound.

In appearance it is a dark brown, with little lacing.

The smell is beer with a little fruit in front of it -- not too strong an alcohol nose.

The taste is a malty front with a bourbon barrel back; the hops bite is there but is subsumed by the malt and the bourbon (to me, an ideal proportion).

The mouthfeel is reasonably carbonated but not too much nor too little, and overall this is one of the great beers I've ever had: I don't think I would give 5.0's this much to too many brews, but this one seemed to deserve it.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 04:47:25 | More by klopez1253

Kromes

Georgia

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A dark brown with clear ruby highlights and a thin off-white head.

S: brown sugar, alcohol, bourbon, oak, caramel, and a floral hop.

T: Initial flavors are alcohol and brown sugar, caramel malts and then the vanilla, oak and bourbon flavors kick in along with an earthy hop. Good flavors, but the alcohol does tend to overpower and hide some of the flavors in the beer.

M: Heavier feel, smooth and creamy. Nice little burn from the alcohol throughout.

O: This is a good Barleywine. I recommend picking one up.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 23:51:52 | More by Kromes

homebrew311

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

750 C&C poured into GuldenDraak snifter.

For a 11% brew, I'm not expecting tons of carbonation, but this one pours very lifeless with some "non carbonation" bubbles. Appearance is a hazy tawny, zero head, zero lacing. The nose features a rich maltiness with shades of oak and molasses. The bourbon is very faint and contributes nothing more than a mellow vanilla accent at the end. The taste starts off very malty with huge notes of caramel and molasses. The bourbon makes itself more present as the taste develops on the palate. The balance is impeccable considering the weight of this brew. There is no burn whatsoever and it drinks as if it is much lighter. This beer suffers in the mouthfeel department. Again, the carbonation is nearly nonexistent which hurts the over all quality. The body is hefty enough. Overall, this beer tastes as if it is a fine recipe and even a decent bourbon barrel aged version of one, but in its current form, I am quite disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 05:50:05 | More by homebrew311

SLeffler27

New York

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Builds a big, creamy manila froth over a dark-brown, cinnamon beer. The head is long lasting, leaving a coating of lace.

Light fumes of bourbon are accented by pine sap, plum and pear from a Dogfish Head snifter.

Heavy on the raisins with a quick touch of sweetness, followed by a sharp, lingering bitterness long into the finish.

This barleywine is super dry, almost chalky, with a soft, full body, light carbonation, and alcohol about as expected.

A decent sipping beer for a cold day, this is a worthy beer, but far short of its early promise.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 13:24:34 | More by SLeffler27

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.8/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Sampling a cellar aged bottle that was bottled on 4/2010.
Poured into a snifter the beer is a deep dark mahogany hue with minimal beige head of about 1 cm.
Aroma is rich malty and complex with brown sugar, dark fruit, figs, some bourbon and a bit of booziness that makes me realize this may be a sipping beer.
First sip reveals an average body with smooth silky texture. Very mild rolling carbonation.
Flavor is malty and sweet and complex with molasses, figs, prunes, bourbon, toffee and a bit of dark chocolate. Fairly complex flavor profile. I get a little warm booze on each swallow but it isnt unpleasant. Complex flavors with the malts dominant.
This beer catches up with me by the end of the 750 ml, but is intensely enjoyable and represents a well made barrel aged B-wine.
I would definitely buy this beer again if I found it on the shelves.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 06:51:18 | More by sulldaddy

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle $12.99. I have passed this up many times but I've heard some chatter online about this and Labryinth so I grabbed one. Dark brown-red color, scant head, looks about spot on for the style. The smell is good, barrel but not overpowering booze, vanilla, caramel. It almost reminded me of the first time I had Angel's Share. Flavor was above average, vanilla, barleywine, and not really much bourbon at all. This tasted decent but did not really wow me. For $13 I'd rather spend a couple dollars more and get an Abacus.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 15:40:38 | More by ArrogantB

Drinkerofales

California

4.48/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 8-0?-11

Pours dark brown with reddish purple highlights. A huge cream colored head forms and leaves plenty of chunky lacing.

Smell is rich and big on bourbon, with caramel and vanilla present as well. A hint of pine is hiding in there, but definitely not the focus.

Taste is great. The bourbon doesn't overpower, though it is there. Vanilla and rich roasted malt make the primary part of the flavor. A hint of chocolate, raisin, and prune are there as well.

Feels super smooth. The medium light body has it's alcohol well hidden. Amazingly easy to drink, and did I say smooth?

Easily the best barley wine I have had to date, and barrel aged to boot? Not expensive in comparison, and even the wife enjoyed. I will be getting more to enjoy tomorrow.

DOA

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:29:31 | More by Drinkerofales

kbuzz

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from an aesthetically pleasing 750 mL bottle into my trusty oversized snifter.

A: Everything I love about a good Barleywine...clarity...alcohol legs and a crisp caramel/amber/brown color with red highlights. A thin head fades to an even thinner one rapidly...leaving a rim of eggshell bubbles around the edges.

S: Toasty caramel, graham cracker, brown sugar. Lots of biscuity, confectionary sweetness. Plum. Raisin. Cotton Candy.

T/M: Very complex. Lots of raisin. Figs. Definitely a bit of oak in the taste whereas I didn't get much in the nose. Bourbon at the end. Very dry...taste cuts right through your palate...clean, crisp. A touch thin for a Barleywine...not bad though. Viscous still.

O: Barrel qualities shone more and more as the beer warmed. I can't help but compare to the Abacus I reviewed a few months back...and this would get the nod from me. Fewer distracting barrel notes, but still has accents from the aging process. For a complex beer, this isn't as bourbon forward...and I thank Uinta for that.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 04:50:49 | More by kbuzz

clayrock81

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a brawny brownish head with a thick one-finger head that lasts forever and left lace down glass. Slightly boozy aroma, woody/breadiness is there, minor sweetness from roasted chocolate and caramel but not getting that much vanilla. A great medium-bodied brew that is really smooth thanks to the barrels - sturdy bread malt base that is complemented w/ chocolate, touches of caramel/vanilla and very minor candi-fruit tastes or something akin (not quite tropical fruit). Finish is crisp like touches of citric hops and spices; this with carbonation seems to prick the toungue on the backbite. ABV becomes noticeable at the end and this beer even starts to warm you up; really enjoyed the sweet flavors and robust malts balancing and the touch of hops as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 17:22:53 | More by clayrock81

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on 2012-02-12 in Normal, IL

A - Dark but fairly clear aged copper with a 3/4-finger tan head that drops to a skim head fairly quickly but leaves good lace.

S - Moderately light bourbon, lots of vanilla, light oak, pepper, fig. The sweet vanilla, oak and bourbon smells very much dominate.

T - Initially sweet vanilla, bourbon and oak like the smell. Then some moderate roasted grain, pepper, fig. The roasted and hop bitterness give some needed balance. Finishes with sweet malt and sharp bitterness vying for dominance but the oaky-sharp bitterness wins.

M - Medium body and light-medium carbonation. Moderately creamy, sticky and prickly.

O - Not the most balanced brew. I enjoyed but didn't love this brew. I much prefer their Labrynth.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 01:59:47 | More by Tucquan

FATC1TY

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750ml Bottle.

Sweet logo, awesome packaging, really good job there.

A: It's a medium, redheaded, orangey looking.. Copper colored. Poured around a 1.5 finger head.

S: I don't smell any bourbon here. Malty, a bit of alcohol. Piney/grapefruit hops in there, then some sweet yeasty fruit. Not a favorite, but not a turn off in there. Something was off for me.

T: It's good. Alcohol is there, for sure. Oak really comes in, but was searching for the bourbon. Fruit, like figs, raisins. Cranked up the more I drank.

M: Good carbonation, great feel. Smooth and nothing really to note. Coated the tounge.

Overall- I liked the beer, but thought price wise, it wasn't worth it. Paid around $14, which was probably too much. It's a decent beer, but I'm admittedly not a huge fan of barelywine, but not really educated enough on them. Wish there was more bourbon to it, and maybe a bit more of something, which I can't put my finger on. Uinta makes some good stuff, so I was taken back a bit.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 23:20:45 | More by FATC1TY

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a three finger light tan head that fades slowly leaving an excellent lace. Cloudy brown color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Bourbon and boozy nose, flavor is bourbon and oak but higher ABV is nearly hidden. Bottled Jul 2011, $13.99 for a 750ml bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 23:11:10 | More by jdhilt

Beejay

Virginia

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

A: Deep brown at first glance, but when held to the light the body turns into a murky blood orange color. A lovely thick head arises out of the body of the beer.

S: Malty with a thick caramel maple syrup smell. Notes of vanilla, wood, and possibly leather. Some pine hop smells in there as well, but they take a backseat to the malt. There is a bit of brown sugar, or perhaps a hint of the burnt sugar from creme brulee. The alcohol is well hidden in the smell.

T: Sweet and syrupy with hints of licorice, and chocolate. Earthy hops, and the finish has a nice oak flavor, with vanilla. The end hits a nice bitterness that balances out the sweet malt. The bourbon is certainly noticeable, with a touch of alcohol.

M: Medium thick, the carbonation is a little high for my tastes, and you can certainly feel the booze.

O: Overall I like that this beer isn't so hopped that it blows the bourbon away. On the other hand this doesn't come close to some other beer that are stylistically similar. It is a very good beer, but falls just short of great. I will say as it warms up a bit some more of the bourbon comes out, with a touch more of the malt flavor I really like.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 03:55:01 | More by Beejay

kbnooshay

New York

2.42/5  rDev -38.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The packaging is great. Quirky and well designed vector art label, corked and caged.

Poured a thin copper color with virtually no head. Aroma is an over sweet and malty mess. The taste is harsh and wacky with only a faint hint of mediocre bourbon flavor. Metallic wonky dark fruit is present. All the staple flavors here are off. Astringent. Feel is thin to moderate.

Well either this beer is just bad or it can't be aged in the cellar for 1 year, because it tastes like shit. This makes me wonder if i should cellar barley wines anymore!

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 00:26:13 | More by kbnooshay

CharlieMurphy

New York

3.43/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

11/10

A: Dark amber, white froggy froth head.

S: Interesting... lots of backcountry twang on this fiddle. Booze mostly, light body of malts, no real bourbon detectable. Some hops like an english bitter.

T: Wow this is still hoppy for being over a year old. I would have thought this was oak aged based on the smoothness, however there is barely any inclination of bourbon. I'd have guessed whiskey before bourbon. Still light in body and malt profile for a barelywine imo.

M: Smoof, son. Still hoppy and ergo a little drying. Carbonation is medium albeit very subtle and smooth. Laces all the way to the bottom even an hour later.

O: Not really worth the price imo, maybe for a pint, but this isn't what I look for in barleywine of this price range.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 05:28:38 | More by CharlieMurphy

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.28/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big ass beer, big old dark brown and auburn pour, extremely thin head on it, nothing much to leave lace around the glass. Aroma was massively alcoholic, that was the major thing I took away, you might be able to tell it was bourbon, all I got was hot hot heat.

Huge alcohol again on the taste, you can start to pull little aspects of it apart once your mouth gets used to the heat. A little bit of vanilla, some bourbon, charred oak, maybe a little fig or prune aspect to it, which also seems to go hand in hand with an oxidized feel at times. Just a huge beer.

I like a lot of Uinta stuff, but this is not their best effort. A decent price, you can usually find these for around $10, but damn, there's just no finesse to it.

I think the best part of this beer was watching my non BA friend Shawn get whacked on this stuff during Wrestlemania. Holmes called me later in the week like "what happened at the end of the night?"

Drink slow.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 02:37:21 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Bfarr

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11/18/10
Hazy deep brown with copper highlights, thin tan head, okay retention and little lacing. Floral barley with hints of yeast. Smooth barley sweetness with floral hops and notes of bourbon vanilla, light spice and oak. A fairly clean finish with a delayed bite. A slick feel and a light lingering after the bite.

A very smooth and tasty barleywine with a gentle warming. Hops are mellow at first but still apparent. It’s a nice balanced flavor easily enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 00:28:25 | More by Bfarr

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap @ Brewforia Beer Market, Meridian ID. Served in a chalice.

A: Mostly clear dark golden copper. Light tan lacing, good alcohol feet.

S: Yes! My kind of Barleywine. Sweeter fruit & berry-like esters, medium caramel malt bill, floral/perfumey hops...light oak and booze. Balanced and not overly sweet.

T: Nice, light, sharp fruity alcohol presence, light heat on the tongue...bourbon? Malt is carrying the body, but not the sweetness, which I dig. Light caramel, vanilla and wood notes underneath showing some barrel characters...light chocolate as well. Very nice blend.

MF: Creamy, smooth, light to medium carbonation. Medium to full body with a touch of a syrupy component as it warms.

O: Really impressed. A lot like the Alaskan Barleywine with bourbon and oak notes. Easily the best bourbon barrel aged barleywine I've ever tasted.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 20:59:43 | More by Scotchboy

Hojaminbag

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Cockeyed Cooper has a dark red body and a fluffy tan head. The head is quite good in both retention and lacing. Also, I like the label art on all of Uinta's Crooked Line stuff that I have seen.

The aroma is quite good. Rich malts, a dash of hops, a little bit of bourbon and a distinct coconut scent.

I think Cockeyed Cooper actually smells better than it tastes, but not by a wide margin. It still tastes pretty good. Rich caramel and toffee are the focus of the beer, which I like in a barleywine. Considering this one was aged for a while in bourbon barrels, there is still a good bit of hop character to it, with hints of grapefruit and resin, along with noticeable bitterness. The barrel characteristics aren't as forward as they are in the aroma, but they blend well with the beer. A little bit of bourbon, some oak and coconut all come through, but in the background.

The body feels a touch light, but they smooth, velvety carbonation makes up for that.

Twelve bucks for a bourbon barrel barleywine that you can grab off of the shelf any day of the week is pretty good, but I don't know if I will be buying one again or not. Cockeyed Cooper is a good beer though.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 16:25:41 | More by Hojaminbag

mdagnew

United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)

4.65/5  rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle bought online from Beermerchants.com

Poured a deep coppery red colour. Mocha tan head poured tight, thick and foamy with a meringue like top then faded slowly to wispy covering... barely any carbonation... some sticky lacing lines...

Aroma - Lots of toasted toffee and caramel maltiness, peppery hop notes, dark fruits (strong raisins, figs), some bourbon booziness, toasted nuts, piney resin, earthy, light liquorice, some orange, malt loaf, burnt sugar sweetness, light oakiness...

Taste - Strong toasted bready and toffee malts, lots of sweet caramel, noticeable alcohol - hints of bourbon, piney hop resin, fruit cake notes, light treacle sweetness, ripe fruits (raisins, spicy apples, bitter oranges), butterscotch and vanilla...

Feel - Smoothand syrupy initially then a little sharpness comes through... full bodied... a bit boozy to be very drinkable..

Overall - An excellent barleywine... rich and warming... recommended...

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 12:21:37 | More by mdagnew