Redhook Treblehook - Redhook Ale Brewery

cbutova

Massachusetts

2/5  rDev -48.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

2010 version.

A- Dark red with a white cap that has decent retention. A creamy pillow and ring leaves a nice coat of lace, probably the best thing about this beer.

S- Dark alcoholic fruit and deep caramel malt up front. I get a note that reminds me of salt and vinegar chips. Some bread notes.

T- Not sure what went wrong here. This somehow tastes to me like a mixture of salt and vinegar chips and dark fruit as well as grapes/apples. Alcohol comes through and does not help. Kind of has a flavored vodka feel mixed with bread or something. It starts out actually decent but the finish drains any positive quality out of this. Soapy notes later on.

MF- Light end creamy body silky carbonation. I swear there is an acidic thing going on here. A bit of warmth. Way too thin.

DB- Each sip brings a hard grimmace on my face. I hate wasting beer but this thing might have to go down the drain. I love salt and vinegar chips but not mixed with bread, apples and grape vodka. I hate to be harsh but this was hard to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 04:43:06 | More by cbutova

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.55/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Sept 08 2009. 22oz brown glass pry-top bottle from my cellar. I was surprised to see that I never reviewed this beer.

Pours a crystal clear brown amber with thin quickly receding head. Nose is truly of a wine made from barley! Caramel, some leafy hops are still there and some dried fruits. Palate is still lively and has some prickle from the alcohol (10%). Lots of caramelized sugar - almost burnt sugar really - some darkly tanned leather, bitter herbal hop notes. There's quite a bit of sugar in here, but the hops are still active rounding things out.

My plan is to let these go for about 5 years and hope that it all falls together in harmony. It's a little chaotic still.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 05:17:35 | More by SFLpunk

Docer

Washington

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

By the Bottle in Vancouver, WA stuck out some year old bottles of this out on the shelf... Sept. 08, 2009 bottled.

- Clear dark brown and copper bubbly brew... fizzy white head, about a finger and a half.. down to an even 1/4 in. layer which sticks around.

- Big caramel malt scent, brown sugar, and bitter pine and earthy hops... grassy, sweet.

- Smooth caramel cream brew... still after a year it isn't too hot but still contains some good hop backbone... bitter, drying, yet sweet and tasty. Not bad from Red Hook.

- Medium bodied, slightly syrupy and drying.

- Overall it is a very decent offering, and one that is nice with some age on it though not bottle conditioned. Not too sweet, and has a nice hop bite.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2010 00:08:14 | More by Docer

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Served on tap at The Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, NH.

Pours medium dark brown with reddish hints. Some foam tops it off, and is retained fairly well.

Lots of malt in both the smell and taste. Earthy. Not really sweet, but notes of toffee/caramel. Some kind of fruit in there too - almost rhubarb, or maybe even fig-gish. The 10% ABV is notable.

Medium carbonation - not heavy, certainly buried under the taste. A sipper thats for sure.

I'm not the biggest Barleywine fan, but thought this one was enjoyable. A good offering.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2010 10:38:01 | More by KTCamm

alleykatking

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bottle.

A- Poured a dark amber color with a light brownish hint to it. Two finger off white head shows good retention. Ringing and streaking lacing on the sides of the glass.

S- Big sweet malts upfront. Light toffee notes and I got a ton of plum towards the middle. Some light earthy hops in the backing but seemed faded since it is a year old. Alcohol tingles the nose and it seems hot to me.

T- Sweet malts attack the palate at first. There seems to be a sweet molasses flavor in the front as well. Darker fruits come and go with some fig coming and going along with plums and raisins. Middle of the beer is somewhat bready in flavor with some light caramel malts as well. The alcohol in this is very present and pretty hot still. There are some faded hops in the backend but only come about for a second before fading from the hot alcohol.

M- Medium heavy mouthfeel. Light carbonation on the beer but alright for the style. Heavy sweet malts destroy the palate with some light darker fruits covered in a warming alcohol in the aftertaste. This beer is well made for the most part. Alcohol is very drying on the palate. Flavors stood out on their own but were blended well.

D- I really enjoyed this beer and didn't think I was going to. I've held onto this bottle for about a year or so before finally cracking it open. A pleasant surprise for sure which I didn't expect from Red Hook. Not my favorite style of barleywine but drinkable non the less.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2010 05:05:09 | More by alleykatking

BDJake

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Here's another retired beer I tried a few months ago that I'm still trying to catch my reviews up on. Yet another surprise that such a well-liked beer from a company often criticized for being bland and unoriginal would be all of a sudden dropped. Here's my take:

A- pours a deep, dark, clear ruby-bronze shade topped by a small off-white head that laced and retained surprisingly well

S- malty, with hints of toffee and butterscotch, fig, oak, and earthy hops

T- notes of fig, molasses, toffee, and somewhat bready, but less hoppy than the aroma suggested- fairly boozy, but at this abv it's hard to completely hide it

M- chewy, low carbonation, with a bittersweet aftertaste

D- actually went down pretty well for the style

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2010 09:40:11 | More by BDJake

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Lucked out at the local Binny's when I was able to grab the last bottle o' this guy, giving me a second chance at what I remember to be a nice li'l gem. Here's hoping it's still as good as I remember it being:

It pours a pretty clear luxurious garnet-ruby (what's I say about it being a gem?) topped by a bit less than a finger of light eggshell foam. The nose comprises rich, buttery biscuits, slight hints of toffee, a fair sprinkling of coriander, and an undercurrent of eau de caramel corn. The taste leans more toward orange-dominated citrus, though the biscuits are still there in great amounts, now mostly blackened. A touch of what seems like rum-soaked oak finds its way to my 'buds as well. The body is a more-than-solid medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a somewhat easy-going feel. Overall, it may not be as good as I remember it (quite the pedestal I put it on, apparently), but still a damn fine barleywine. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2010 18:59:31 | More by TMoney2591

Yoonisaykul

Quebec (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Friend brought it back from New York. Labeled Sep 08 09. The bottle we have looks different from the one on the picture.

A- Clear chestnut amber. Light beige head seemed consistant but it died down before I could really check it out.

S- Strong kalamata olive dipped in soft honey. A bit of pleasant hot alcohol.

T- Wood barrel. Wood, citrus and slightly green/spruce hops. Sticky sweet but the other flavors make it all okay. Whisky finish.
Very enjoyable hop flavor which seems very fresh considering the age on this bottle.

M- Medium to high carbonation. Good body. Foams up in mouth. Dry finish considering how sweet it is. Sticky.

D- Very good. So tasty and not very hard to drink quickly. You'll be wasted though.

Very good beer. Not incredible for a limited release, not the baddest barleywine, but definitely a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 01:19:08 | More by Yoonisaykul

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle, big thanks to grub for sharing.

Pours a clear copperish orange, some amber highlighting, medium sized white forms and settles down to a medium ring around the glass and a thin layer, some solid lace spots stick.

Smell is nice, sweet and malty, lots of caramel, some biscuit, brown sugar, grapefruit, pineapple, a bit of pine, alcohol, floral, decent amount of citrus hoppiness, nice balanced nose.

Taste is nice, very subtle, some caramel and malty sweetness, a bit sugary, grapefruit, some pineapple, pinesol, a bit of alcohol, apricots and dried fruits, lightly sugary, balanced and biscuity in the finish, solid bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, but not thin, low to medium carbonation, some warmth going down. A pretty nice barleywine. Thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 03:10:14 | More by Viggo

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle dated "sept 08 09". sampled aug 2/2010.

pours deep orange, nearly red, and crystal clear. a big fluffy cream coloured head forms, dropping slowly and leaving plenty of lace.

aroma is good. caramel and toffee and a whole bunch of american hops. pine, grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. touch of apricot. light alcohol. white bread. bit of biscuit. woody, maybe a hint of vanilla?

taste is good. caramel and hops up front again. grapefruit, orange, tangerine, and a bit of pine. lightly warming alcohol. whole wheat bread. biscuit. bit of cracker. just below medium bitterness level. bit of toffee. hint of woody character.

mouthfeel is nice. just under medium body. medium carbonation.

drinkability is nice. the slightly lighter body allows the alcohol to shine through a little more than i'd like, but not to the point that it becomes unpleasant. just a bit more warming than i'd expect. still, it's a tasty barleywine and one i'd definitely purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2010 02:54:47 | More by grub

detlefchef

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purchased in 12/9. First from case tasted on 7/30. Bottle on date is 9/8/9

First off, I'm not 100% certain that this is the same beer as everyone else is tasting because the label looks nothing like that picture. That said, there's nothing else close in the search fields. Mine is a limited release in a frosted brown bottle. None the less, I'll approach it as if it is.

Reddish, amber caramel color with fine beige head. Candied green pineapple on the nose. Hot buttered rum on the palate with a curiously impressive hop presence, especially considering the year in the bottle. To be honest, barleywines typically aren't my thing but I really did like this. Maybe it's the age, maybe it's just a well made beer, but he alcohol seemed far more integrated than most I've tried.

Seared foie gras with carmelized green pineapple

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 19:41:03 | More by detlefchef

zeff80

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a clear, burgundy/orange color with a two-finger, thick, white head of foam. It left behind sheets of lace.

S - It smelled malty and sweet with strong caramel notes. There were hints of vanilla.

T - It was malty sweet with a good deal of caramel and toffee. There was a mild bitterness from the hops.

M - It was crisp and smooth with a chewy mouthfeel A medium to full bodied beer.

D - This is a pretty good barleyine. Redhook always does a good job with their "Limited Release" brews.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 02:28:02 | More by zeff80

Casey10

Maine

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I liked this I don't know if I missed something though as my bottle looked a bit different then the one on used for the display.

A - Nice not a lot of carbination orange amber red hue color.

S - Has a familar sent of pine, hops that you sometimes get with barleywines. It doesn't ruin it but doesn't help it either.

M - Again very familar as barleywines go surupy but accepatable.

M - again surupy a bit astingent not bad just not great.

D - This is really strong has a lot of medicine like behaviors about it. Not sure about having it again but might.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 03:08:39 | More by Casey10

billab914

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into my Dogfish snifter. Poured deep brown in color with a nice frothy bright white quarter inch head. The head faded to a thin layer barely covering the top of the beer, but left some very good lacing in the process.

The aroma is pretty well balanced between malty and hoppy flavors. The malt comes through nicely in a toffee, caramel kind of way. The hops balance it out nicely with a citrus, pine presence. Nice appealing aroma with a nice mix of flavors.

The taste has a big caramel, toffee, malty profile like you would expect in a barleywine. it also has a pretty bold, piny, citrus, bitter hop presence that really helps balance out all of those malt flavors. It finishes a bit on the sweet side but still more balanced then most barleywines. It doesn't seem to have an incredible depth of flavors but what it does have is very nicely done.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side and carbonation seems a little above average for the style. Drinkability is good, I really enjoyed the balance this one had relative to other barleywines. The hop presence was very nice and definitely made it more drinkable. Alcohol was also well hidden for how high it is.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 01:42:37 | More by billab914

thekevlarkid

Maryland

4.2/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Out of a bottle this beer was a dark amber/garnet color with a half finger of khaki colored head. The head quickly became a thin collar that left lacing in a band that slowly slid apart. The aroma was of candi sugar, caramel, fruity esters and alcohol. The flavors were similar, sweet and strong with pronounced fruity notes especially of pineapple and bananas. The alcohol heat really came through on the finish and the large, sweet-malt profile was well balanced by just enough bitterness. The mouthfeel was pretty good, the body full and the carbonation appropriate. Very tasty for a big, big beer and a good example of a heady American-style barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2010 15:47:32 | More by thekevlarkid

Fnord

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Transcluscent ruby with a wispy cream colored head.

Smell - Maple syrup, alcohol, raisins, plums, flowery hops.

Taste - Everything from the smell, plus some sort of wood, I'm not sure the type. There's also a dash of bittering hops, just enough to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming. There's also plenty of alcohol heat.

Mouthfeel - Medium body with low carbonation.

Notes - I'm a bit conflicted with this one. It's wonderfully complex and malty, but it's got way too much alcohol heat for my taste. It just beats you over the head with its ABV, even for a barleywine. Some would love this beer, but it's just not for me I guess.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 05:44:54 | More by Fnord

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to Satchboogie for this brew.

12oz. Bottle
Bottled On: 083 10

Pours a nice cloudy golden amber color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy off-white head, which leaves some small islands and sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, sweet, with some dark fruit notes, and some caramel. The taste is malty, sweet, fruity. Medium body, ABV is hidden fairly well. Again, a very tasty brew, this one surprised me from this brewery.

Thanks goes out to ybnorml for this brew.

22oz. Bomber
Sep 08 09

Poured into a chalice a nice golden amber color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy off-white head, which leaves some small islands and sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, sweet, with some dark fruit notes, and some caramel. The taste is malty, sweet, fruity. Medium body, ABV is hidden fairly well. Drinkable, this one surprised me from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2010 23:09:23 | More by Wasatch

mntlover

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice reddish copper color with thumb sized tan head that falls fairly quick and leaves some sparse lace.

Aroma is sweet nice sugary caramel malts blended with nice ripe fruits tangerines more light citrus then strong, hints of melons and florals also.

Taste is somewhat stronger then the smell but thats fine its a barley wine. Caramel malts stand out heading towards cloying but hops quickly rein it back in. Fall 2009 release but still pretty bitter citrus notes mainly blended in with some alcohol notes. Alcohol might be touch stronger then others at 10% but seems to go well with the flavors and does not distract.

Mouthfeel is fullish with good low level of carbonation that makes it seem smooth.

Drinkability is good my first big beer from Redhook and would be lying if I am not surprised a little. Pretty decent brew they have here.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2010 00:14:05 | More by mntlover

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle tried 26 Nov 2009.

Vintage 2009. Served in a 0.4 L Steiner Pils snifter. Thick medium sized khaki colored head. Moderate carbonation. Clear ruby brown color. Smells of ethanol, quite floral, orangey and syrupy. Boozy, warming and sweet to start, and really, throughout. Like beer candy says A. Seems like a sweet DIPA to me. Nice lingering bittersweet finish. Body on the lighter side. Sticky mouthfeel.

Tasty, alcohol sneaks up on you.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2010 05:05:57 | More by htomsirveaux

TommyW

Massachusetts

3.8/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Amber/brown with a thin, off-white head that is fairly sticky.

S- Nice malty aroma of toasted bread crusts, caramel malt and some hop notes.

T- Big malty backbone, toasted bread and some caramel malt jump out. A bit thin towards the middle of the tongue in terms of malt presence. Slight hop bitterness and noticeable alcohol create a dry finish but a semi-sweet malt sweetness lingers on.

M- Full feel that is slick and smooth across the tongue.

D- A nice barleywine from a brewery I haven't had much from.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2010 02:12:13 | More by TommyW

Exiled

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz Bottle - 2009 Vintage

Thanks to Mora2000 for sharing this bottle!

Pours a amber color with a small off white head. Smell is lots of citrusy hops, with a slight caramel maltiness. Taste is very hoppy, but not very bitter with some light fruits, and caramel malt. Medium mouthfeel, and very drinkable. Overall, its an ok barleywine, but there's a lot better out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2010 03:30:11 | More by Exiled

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a chance to try this one on tap recently. I heard they had redone the recipe so I was anxious to see how it would unfold. Dark caramel colored body gave way to a small, but even light tan head. Nice ring of lacing around the sides of the glass gives it the impression of a stable and strong ale. Aroma is sweet, loads of caramel and light piney hops coming through on the initial pass. Warming brings it down and the aroma and flavor start to fade on it a bit. Still sweet notes of almost light honey, hints of pine sap, and a touch of caramel are all clearly coming through for me. Nice smooth carbonation and medium body is full enough to let the flavor really come off and not too filling or dull. Easy sipper with the ABV well hidden it makes it much easier to enjoy then I would have thought.

Overall while it was very enjoyable it just seemed to be lacking something for me. I would have liked to have seen some more depth and exploring of the palate. Not the worst I have ever had, but certainly not the best.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2010 01:21:52 | More by mikesgroove

david131

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled September 8, 2009.

A- A clear orange/red liquid with a very thin and splotchy off-white head.

S- Caramel, pine, grapefruit, and cinnamon. Blends together very nicely although it is quite nice. Has a strange holiday fruit punch quality to it that sets it apart.

T- All the same notes I picked up in the aroma. Surprisingly mild and well blended. I love how it is not over the top and in my face. The flavors are nice and the alcohol is well hidden.

M- Smooth with a decent hop presence. Clean and enjoyable.

D- This drinks amazingly well for the age, style, and ABV. Worth seeking out and probably aging.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 04:52:26 | More by david131

BMoney575

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled on 4-9-10
Bottled on 9-8-09

Pours a hazy red/amber color, with a filmy head that settles to a nice ring around the edge.

Smell is subtle, cinnamon, caramel, and a little piney. Altogether, it's reminiscent of fruit punch.

Taste is very clean, then the malt comes through with a nice fruity sweetness, followed by a hop kick that adds citrus bitterness and hint of booze.

Mouthfeel is a little too thin for my tastes, but still decent.

Drinkability is very good, the flavors are very well balanced, and the abv is imperceptible.

Overall, better than I expected, and worth picking up.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2010 04:51:28 | More by BMoney575

Gavage

New Jersey

2.93/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Appearance: clear orange in color with a 2" head that slowly falls. Some mild lacing develops.

Smell: malt sweetness and a hint of floral hops are hard to pull from the glass.

Taste: caramel, ripe plums, red grapes, mild bitterness, and some alcohol is noticeable. Some metallic flavors arrive late.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp to start, smooth and a bit dry at the finish. Long aftertaste here.

Drinbkability: slow sipping beer. The flavors are a bit unbalanced and metallic. Not a barelywine I could recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2010 00:58:23 | More by Gavage