Bourbon Barrel Aged Barley Wine Ale - Barley Island Brewing Company

neckbracesub

Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Experienced in a 12 oz. goblet on a pleasant Sunday afternoon, 12.16.12

Pours an expected ruby red/amber COLOR with no frustration of waiting for foam to soften out of the tap, because there basically is no head at all. Bartender was generous with the pour, filling it to the brim.

The SMELL is immediate with bourbon notes, but not overpowering ones. It's a very nice aroma, but I expected to be a bit overwhelmed by the 10% ABV upon first taste...

...but first TASTE was not one of thickness or heavy alcohol, but instead was one of surprising ease to digest. The bourbon aging is certainly a prominent factor in this beer, but it's incredibly smooth for one of this high in volume.

The MOUTHFEEL is that of a perfect combination between barley wine and barrel aging styles, and the only small flaw would be that it might be a little too easy and even tame on the senses.

When all was said and done, OVERALL this is a terrific brew that I hope Barley Island continues to whip up in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2012 13:49:37 | More by neckbracesub

Gross

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

01-03-2013 00:11:00 | More by Gross