Old 392
Carolina Brewing Company

Old 392Old 392
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From:
Carolina Brewing Company
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
8.7%
Score:
89
Avg:
4 | pDev: 6.5%
Reviews:
35
Ratings:
40
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 18, 2015
Added:
Nov 23, 2005
Wants:
  4
Gots:
  0
2005 = 9.3% ABV
2006 = 8.7% ABV
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Ratings by hunteraw:
Photo of hunteraw
Reviewed by hunteraw from China

4.02/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to ipa2xs for shipping this to me in the No Name BIF.

Appearance: Attractive amber/honey color, slightly hazy, off-white one finger head produced by a rather rough pour. Good lacing.

Smell: More hops in the aroma than your typical barleywine, deep underlying ale fruitiness, sweetness is present, but offset by the hops. Distinct grape aroma is present as well. No hint of alcohol in the nose.

Taste: Much hoppier than your typical barleywine. Could pass for a DIPA in terms of balance. Hops are slightly astringent on the back of the palate, not a whole lot in the way of distinct hop flavors unfortunately. Alcohol shows up more in the flavor than in the nose. Doesn't taste quite as good as it smells.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, well-carbonated. Just right for the style, it avoids being syrupy.

Drinkability: A little astringent and high on the alcohol to be too highly drinkable. Slightly off for the style, but I'll never complain about too much hops.
Feb 08, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of ljc973
Reviewed by ljc973 from Michigan

4.61/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Big thank you to KRubes for this extra. Bottled 12/11/14, poured into a snifter 7/18/15. 9.1% ABV.

Poured medium brown/ red with minimal head that didn't fully disipate.

There is a very strong smell of rolled oats and torified barley. The taste is similar , with a slightly nutty, smooth finish. Loving it!

Overall, this was one of my favorite barley wines, even with the ABV on the lower end. Would definitely recommend.
Jul 18, 2015
 
Rated: 4.1 by dhesington from North Carolina

Jan 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by Amedlin18 from North Carolina

Dec 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by KevinGordon from North Carolina

Apr 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by lupercmda from North Carolina

Feb 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Bluescooter from North Carolina

Jan 26, 2014
Photo of tdm168
Reviewed by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Blinco's in Raleigh on 1/21/12.

Pours a deep amber with a half of an inch of soft, white head that has good retention. The nose is sweet and floral with a good amount of hop aroma. The flavor is caramelly and sweet at first followed by a more mild barley malt note and finishes with a rather intense floral, citrusy hop character. There is a struggle in the flavor between sweet and bitter with bitter ultimately winning. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with just the right amount of carbonation.

This wasn't a bad beer, but ultimately it was unbalanced and not as flavorful as I would have hoped for. The caramel sweetness seems to overpower the barley malt and the hop character seems to clash with the malt content.

The selection at Blinco's isn't great so I did end up having more than one of these.
Jan 22, 2012
Photo of beer2day
Reviewed by beer2day from North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On-tap at Harrison's in Cary.

Amber red pour with 1/2 finger of light head. Light lacing.

Big grapefruit nose with notes of grapes, yeast, and light spice. This is one hoppy barleywine.

Light pepper, grapefruit, resiny hops all are present in the taste. Not a big fan of the style, but hops in a barleywine make this a very nice surprise for me.

Very chewy body. Lots of malt body here. Not too thick or oily.

A hopped out barleywine that really hits the mark.
Jan 10, 2012
Photo of sitarist
Reviewed by sitarist from Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to LOKI for this one.
BOT 12/7/05

Pours a chestnut color, cloudy with some bubbles rising, its alive! No head, just a ring of loose bubbles, there are little spots of lacing and droplets stuck to the side of the glass. It has held up over time.

I just love an aged barleywine. I smell pecan pie, black tea, spice, brown sugar, leather, flowers, horehound, something earthy, and a little pine.

I taste dates, raisins, nuts, with a sweet caramel bourbon sauce.

It is sticky and warm, it has a peppery bite on my tongue(hops still present?), the flavors fade, and the heat lingers.

Im sure glad I got to try this one, and I sure would like to cellar a few for another 5 years. Its a great beer but one to savor.
Jul 19, 2010
Photo of hopdog
Reviewed by hopdog from Pennsylvania

4.12/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle shared courtesy of Josh. Bottle labeled, botled on 11/21/06.

Poured a medium to deep amber color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of light caramel, orange peels, pine, and some dark fruits. Tastes of pine, citrus, caramel, and some dark fruits.

Notes from: 2/2/07
Jan 18, 2009
Photo of hoppymeal
Reviewed by hoppymeal from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a hazy, rusty copper, decent amt of sediment, with a small cream head that fades to a ring. Aroma is delicious aged malts, sweet pruniness and soft sugary caramel along with a good dose of sweet citrusy hops, some salty and leather notes when agitated. Taste shows a bit of the sweet caramel malts and cotoon candy up front but is immediately overtaken by a citrus hoppiness. Some orange rind bitterness in the finish and prunes in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium in body, low to medium carbonation, soft and creamy texture before a slightly peppery bitter bite that shows a bit of the alcohol as well. Great barleywine, fairly hoppy still, this sample is dated 11-06, but the malts are great in the aroma and would love to see this one with another year or two under its belt. Thanks Brent for the opportunity.
Feb 03, 2008
Photo of brewcrew76
Reviewed by brewcrew76 from Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
11/21/06

A - Hazy copper, orange with a thin off white head and a bit of lacing.

S - Caramel, toffee, raisins and honey with a strong citrus, floral hop aroma.

T - Caramel, chocolate and a green piney hop flavor. Reminds me a malty DIPA.

M - Medium body and smooth, maybe just a touch thin.

D - Even after a year this is a very hoppy barleywine. A easy drinking barleywine.
Dec 30, 2007
Photo of lackenhauser
Reviewed by lackenhauser from Maryland

4/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very, very nice shade of orange/red in color with a soft, white head on top. Sweet, malty aroma with a heavy handed dose of hops-quite grassy and fresh. Big hop flavor-not overpowering bitterness wise. Somewhat metalllic tasting. Has an almost rye crispness to it. Grainy. Decent body. Quite enjoyable. These guys need to dress up their packaging a bit. Hard to tell one beer from another label wise.
Sep 22, 2007
Photo of wagenvolks
Reviewed by wagenvolks from Texas

4.15/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
200th Review!

Props to atsprings for the local hook up. Bottled 11/21/06.

Pours a dauntingly cloudy body, copper & ruby hued with an inch thick khaki head. Some nice speckles of lacing are left down the sides of the Duvel chalice.

Aroma-wise, a big, sweet caramel malt backbone gives way to some barleywine-style sherry. Huge, foresty hops rise up upon a quick swirl of the brew. Grapefruit, vanilla, and biscuity notes make for an uber-pleasant nose overall.

This thing still packs a big flavor after nearly a year in the cellar. Lots of hops, big alcohol esthers, and grapefruit abound. Mouthfeel is viscous, a tad bit syrupy, and delivers a big-time bitter finish. Very refreshing, to my surprise. This is pretty drinkable for a barleywine. The high ABV limits me from having more than one at any given session, but I'd definately be eager to try this again. Not only that, but it ages fantastically well...I can't wait to try a freshly brewed bottle.
Sep 14, 2007
Photo of brewdlyhooked13
Reviewed by brewdlyhooked13 from Ohio

3.7/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance - a high pour puts about an inch of pale yellowish foam over a peachy amber brew. Thick lace hangs on as the head recedes.

Aroma - hoppy with mango, grapefruit, shortbread cookies. A definite alcohol presence.

Taste - somewhat subdued malt beginning. More in the feel than the taste, I get a vague biscuity presence that is short-lived. The hops bloom quickly, filling the mouth with syrupy grapefruit rind and resiny pine. Alcohol isn't that well hidden for this tamer barleywine, but it's tolerable. Finishes dry with a lot of bitter residue and mild warmth. Sampled young (less than a year old), this would be worth revisiting after some cellar time.

Mouthfeel - smooth, a bit of creaminess even. A moderate body/weight that is neutral but good.

Drinkability -a little harsh right now, my other bottle will get three to five before we do this again...
Aug 30, 2007
Photo of barleywinebrewer
Reviewed by barleywinebrewer from New Hampshire

3.45/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
thanks to timtheenchata for this via the littleguy bif.

A - nice clear auburn color, a whisp of an off white head that quickly retreated to the edge of the glass.

S - heavy floral hops, touch of citric, pine and spice dominate. Underlying caramel malts and light alcohol.

T - similar to the smell but with an odd harsh hop effect. Not quite sure how to describe it other than slow sip, smooth, hop... screech. It's not overwhelming but definitely distracting

M - Medium bodied, nicely carbonated.

D - fix the hops and you've got a winner.
Jun 25, 2007
Photo of orfeu
Reviewed by orfeu from New Mexico

4.3/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
2006 bottling graciously provided by oberon -- thanks, dude! Poured into an AleSmith tulip, this barley wine is a glowing sunset orange, with a sticky-creamy-oily beige head. Humongous grapefruit rind scent, along with a caramelly sweet aroma, and a slight hint of cheesy funk lurking in the background. Sugary and citric nose overall. These attributes are not very prevalent in the taste, however. Instead there is a hard-edged bitterness that is more vegetal than citric in character, and a somewhat blunted mineral water twinge. On warming, a candied orange section flavor emerges, nicely rounding out the taste. Slightly juicy mouthfeel, creamy; never slick. Somewhat light in body for an American version. Very pleasant to sip. This is a pretty original take on a barley wine: big in many ways but completely void of anything like bombastic overkill. Modest yet confident is more this one's style. A great beer all in all. The more I find out about the beer scene in North Carolina, the better it looks. CBC's Fall seasonal definitely adds to this perception.
Apr 20, 2007
Photo of Vancer
Reviewed by Vancer from Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
We got a classic BW start – hazy amber orange and the oily sheets of ivory tickling the Cordendonk sniftner (from Soloman420).

Nice BW aroma – malty caramel with the hop backbone to balance this critter out. The taste is close to classic BW, comes with the malty caramel and orange peel, but just a tad too much floral hop – which makes it finish on the raspy bitter side. Just a tad, though. Nothing to get to shook up over.
Small smack of cherries rounds it out, but it still is on the hoppy side.

A fine brew sent by blackie for the NOBSBIF Beta, gracias!
Apr 07, 2007
Photo of jjayjaye
Reviewed by jjayjaye from New York

4.42/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured a clear amber color with with a full finger light tan head that fades slowly. The amber color is a bit lighter than anticipated from this style. Significant lacing present and as the head settles, mini surface pools of suds are generated from visible effervescence.

The aroma is classic... primarily sweet malt and caramel with a subtle hop characteristic.

The flavor mirrors the smell. A wonderful sweet flavor of malt and caramel. A creamy beverage with a medium body. Slightly lighter than others of this style. The visible carbonation led me to believe that it might be an overbearing characteristic of the mouth feel, but thankfully that wasn't the case. Very well done. A tiny bit of hop lingers afterwards. Quite drinkable. The 8.7% is hidden. Recommend this one.
Mar 07, 2007
Old 392 from Carolina Brewing Company
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 40 ratings