Old Ruffian Barley Wine - Great Divide Brewing Company

MadScientist

New York

4.55/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was picked up about 7 months ago so it's probably last years release; it kind of got forgotten about in my basement.

A: A medium copper with a red hue and excellent clarity. A persistent, light-tan head that is a quarter inch of compact foam and leave small patches of bubbles on the glass instead of lacing.

S: A strong, rich malty aroma with a moderately-strong caramel malt character and a moderately citrus hops aroma. There is a low fruit ester with a slight raisin character. Smooth, perfume alcohol aroma a a moderate level.

T: An intense malt flavor with bready and caramel malt flavors. The hops bitterness is at a moderately-strong level with a moderately-low citrus hops flavor. There is a modest amount of malt sweetness up front but the balance is strongly towards the bitter with the alcohol also countering the malt sweetness. The after taste is of caramel and hops bitterness.

M: A smooth and slightly cream medium-full bodied beer with moderate carbonation. The alcohol brings a moderate warmth that keeps on creeping all the to the belly.

O: Even with a year of age it's still a sipping beer but man is smooth. Normally I'd be more than happy to enjoy this in all of it's young, aggressive, hop forward glory but a little bit of age smooths the rough edges and tamps down the hops. This beer would pair well with a steak but I'll be matching it with a Reuben for tonight's dinner.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 23:43:26 | More by MadScientist

diehl07

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-24-2013 00:09:12 | More by diehl07

csfcmitchell

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-23-2013 15:51:31 | More by csfcmitchell

Callmecoon

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

05-23-2013 02:29:11 | More by Callmecoon

Yosefus

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-23-2013 01:20:07 | More by Yosefus

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-22-2013 01:21:59 | More by mikeincharleston

Burt

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-21-2013 22:41:25 | More by Burt

Busker

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-21-2013 18:11:25 | More by Busker

ericwa1154

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-20-2013 21:58:06 | More by ericwa1154

Gotti311

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-20-2013 21:19:46 | More by Gotti311

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-19-2013 17:05:52 | More by Whiskeydeez

cosmonick

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

05-19-2013 01:51:35 | More by cosmonick

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-18-2013 20:44:00 | More by Photekut

carlosega

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-17-2013 19:19:34 | More by carlosega

leftstagebrew

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-16-2013 14:57:58 | More by leftstagebrew

TheRuss9585

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

05-14-2013 00:35:46 | More by TheRuss9585

RWNay

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-13-2013 19:20:43 | More by RWNay

DCgolfpro

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -17.5%

05-13-2013 15:40:48 | More by DCgolfpro

FranzBC

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-13-2013 02:07:59 | More by FranzBC

IpaSipa

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-12-2013 22:49:04 | More by IpaSipa

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4/5  rDev -5.7%

05-12-2013 16:03:04 | More by ipas-for-life

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

First time trying it having a 2012, 6 months old, next to a 2010. A sipper with only a few months on it, still has a significant hop profile, but once the IBU's diminish over time this stuff goes down real easy. Grab a few bottles and hide them for a few years. Great brew, cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:09:59 | More by HopHeadCnK

Rogorama

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev +6.1%

05-09-2013 00:44:43 | More by Rogorama

Heavenisbeer

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +0.2%

05-08-2013 03:44:08 | More by Heavenisbeer

leftoverburrito

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -11.6%

05-08-2013 03:40:04 | More by leftoverburrito