Broad Shoulders Barleywine - Goose Island Beer Co.

Dontcounttoday

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

10-11-2012 19:41:38 | More by Dontcounttoday

udouche

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

02-25-2013 15:45:15 | More by udouche

Brew33

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

02-10-2013 19:57:58 | More by Brew33

Dactrius

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

01-19-2013 21:41:36 | More by Dactrius

Gonzoillini

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

01-19-2013 20:07:39 | More by Gonzoillini

theminutemen

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%

01-18-2013 19:44:07 | More by theminutemen

spycow

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

01-17-2013 16:57:02 | More by spycow

thinwhiteduke

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.4%

01-12-2013 00:16:46 | More by thinwhiteduke

Melicita

Maryland

1.5/5  rDev -60.8%

12-31-2012 20:55:24 | More by Melicita

olafphysics

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -2.1%

12-17-2012 01:22:20 | More by olafphysics

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a snifter)

A- This beer pours a slightly dense deep red toffee brown body with a light tan head of thick cream that last a bit.

S- The vinous grainy aroma has some dry fruit hints when it warms a bit.

T- The toffee flavor has a nougat taste to it with some nice toasted malt notes coming through when it warms. There is a nice green hop hint in the finish. The finish is almost sweet but I think it is a dry finish with the malt character giving it more of a sweet perception.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with no real alcohol heat until the last few sips.

O- This is a very easy to drink barleywine that is a bit on the dry side with a good but subtle hop support in the finish adds some nice depth.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 15:16:32 | More by rhoadsrage

IMSPEAKNOENGLISH

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

11-16-2012 04:24:10 | More by IMSPEAKNOENGLISH

FullObs

Illinois

3/5  rDev -21.7%

10-25-2012 23:05:46 | More by FullObs

Rhettroactive

Virginia

4/5  rDev +4.4%

10-24-2012 18:44:59 | More by Rhettroactive

sbricker

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -15.1%

10-20-2012 02:54:41 | More by sbricker

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at the Clybourn brewpub.

Not only was I unaware we were calling them "broads" again, but I was also unfamiliar with people focusing on their shoulders... *rimshot* Ahem, anyway, this stuff pours a clear tawny topped by a finger of glowing light tan foam. The nose comprises caramel, black grape, light honey, ruby red grapefruit rind, fig, and light pine resin. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some toffee, clove, and a touch of vanilla in the background. The body is a solid medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a very nice barleywine, though it came across as more English-style than American-, though I'm inclined to believe it's more of a transatlantic version than either of the others strictly-speaking. Good times nevertheless.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 18:59:45 | More by TMoney2591

Froggy52

4.25/5  rDev +11%

09-06-2012 17:17:38 | More by Froggy52

Lawl3ss

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

(from notes)
On tap at Goose Island Clybourne 1/17/12. 10 oz. snifter.

Look- A beautiful clear burgundy/roasted chestnut with bright ruby highlights that got me excited. Started with a finger of ivory head that settled fairly quickly. No visible carbonation. This beer really looks like a nice brandy, particularly in a snifter. Dark for a barleywine, but it looks gooood.

Smell- Hints of dates, candied nuts, and licorice. Very subtle despite the snifter, which was unexpected. Swirling and warming didn't have much discernable affect.

Taste- Lightly sweet, strong dark fruit and toffee show themselves early. Burnt grain, anise, and rose hips emerge after a second, and the aftertaste is walnut-like. Not as bold as I prefer, but quite interesting. Alcohol well hidden.

Mouthfeel- Sticky, mild-to-medium carbonation. Mildly astringent on the back. Overly cloying for the rather mild palate. Finishes on the drier side, and quite tannic.

Overall- Didn't quite hit the right notes for me, too restrained (though this is appropriate for the English style claimed on the menu.) Mouthfeel was off-putting and didn't mesh well with the otherwise quite nice subdued feeling of the beverage. What I really have to knock points off for is the price, however. I realize that it is a brewpub specialty offering and is priced accordingly, but the truth is I could (and did, at the Binny's across the street) pick up a barleywine bomber I would enjoy much more for half of what I paid for 10 oz. of this brew. Perhaps Middle Ages' Druid Fluid has ruined me, but I'll pass on this one if there is a next time.

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 08:15:21 | More by Lawl3ss

readbaron

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -8.6%

01-18-2012 00:19:30 | More by readbaron

fergster75

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +17.5%

01-18-2012 00:03:46 | More by fergster75

jmich24

Michigan

4/5  rDev +4.4%

01-13-2012 01:19:16 | More by jmich24

bigdaddypolite

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +30.5%

11-28-2011 02:28:58 | More by bigdaddypolite

jenray

Texas

3/5  rDev -21.7%

11-24-2011 22:01:11 | More by jenray

thanmad

Illinois

5/5  rDev +30.5%

11-20-2011 22:05:43 | More by thanmad

coz

Illinois

5/5  rDev +30.5%

11-16-2011 01:36:32 | More by coz