Our Finest Regards - Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project

mindspin315

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Decent sized light brown head. Deep amber/mahogany body. Good amount of lacing and insane amount of head retention. One swirl brings back a nice size head.

Even though this is an English Barleywine it smells like it could be a Belgian inspired Barleywine. Heavy amount of dark fruits, cherries, yeast esters, apple skin, chocolate malts, wet wood, and a chewy maltiness. Hops really take a backseat in this brew. Most of the time hops play a big part in Barleywines but the yeast and malts are the stars of the show here.

Upfront a light sweetness coats the mouth and bit of alcohol ramps up right in the middle...comes up quickly and fades away before the aftertaste. Flavors of clove, leather, light vanilla, apple skin, and cherry. Light creamy smooth mouthfeel with an alcohol bite upfront that comes through but doesn't domintate the palate. Carbonation is very mild and overall a smooth texture.

I'm drinking this at about 2 months old...at 2 years old this is going to be really great. Being so fresh this brew has a lot going on, but with age (1,2,3 years) I can only imagine how amazing this beer will develop. The alcohol does reveal itself here but doesn't dominate...with age I believe it will become undetectable. To me this is a unique take on a barleywine and will change in a good way over time. The flavors/feel will only round out and develop into something even more amazing! Most definitely a worthy cellarable beer.

[94/100]

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 07:14:17 | More by mindspin315

mikeyv35

New York

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Date: 01/21/2012
Type: 22oz. Bomber
Vintage: 2011
Glass: Snifter

Pours a light mahoghany brown in color w/ a 1/2 finger off-white head that produces, medium lacing. Aromas of brandy soaked fruits(both dark and light), fruitcake, and booze. The taste started off w/ a blast of oak up front, followed by dark fruits(raisin, plum, fig) and even some apple/pear, finishes w/ light caramel/toffee and subtle hop bite. Medium bodied and lush. Pretty easy to drink as the 13% ABV is well masked.

Overall, not in my top 5 EBW, but just shy. Definately deserving of it's top 25 ranking in the style. Would gladly drink again.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 19:05:38 | More by mikeyv35

JustHarmless

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into my Ommegang chalice glass.

A- Beautiful mahogany color with a quickly dissipating tan head

A- Wonderfully sweet aroma, with molasses, dark fruits like plum and raisin, sweet malts

T- The taste is a lot like the nose, with molasses, caramel, dark fruits, concord grape, slight spice notes on the back end. Great sweetness

M- Full bodied with low carbonation. A bit syrupy, which is appealing to me

O- I am a huge fan of English barleywines, and this is a great example of the style. I am also a big fan of Pretty Things and their beers never disappoint. Wonderfully sweet, smooth with a great alcohol wallop. I highly recommend trying this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 14:13:43 | More by JustHarmless

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into an oversized wine glass- pours a mahogany color, somewhat transparent, with a decent head for a barleywine. The head dissipates pretty quickly and leaves little foam except a few spots of lacing.

Smells very strongly of alcohol also and also pretty strongly of yeast. There is a little bit of malty sweetness but mostly covered by the alcohol.

Taste is not like the smell- big malt flavor all over, some fruitiness (maybe apricot) with a swirl of yeast. Of course there is a taste of alcohol and it is noticeably present but its an enjoyable alcohol taste.

Mouthfeel is pretty good- not too thick with a little carbonation. Of course this is a pretty pricey brew but one worth getting if you like barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 00:16:31 | More by Hopdaemon39

FosterJM

California

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1066th Review on BA
Bottle to Snifter
22 oz

November 2011

Thanks to ???? for sharing
Shared at MrHirschybars tasting

App- Dark crimson mixed with brown in the glass. A small head formed in a tan color and receded quickly. A couple dots of cling were left.

Smell- Big dark barleywine notes. It was very simple with rich malts and a decent amount of dried fruits a little spice and just a touch of booze on the nose..

Taste- Was pretty excited to see this one come out. Love me some barleywines. This was pretty standard but as it warmed for a second it was more smooth and rich and a touch creamy. Malty, fruit and a little bitter on the end. You get maybe a touch of espresso with some ripened plums.

Mouth- Medium bodied to almost full bodied. Medium amounts of carbonation. Leaves residual booze notes with some pepper and malt.

Drink- Very well done for the style. Way up there with blended flavors and drinkability
for such a high ABV. Glad I got the chance to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 20:32:38 | More by FosterJM

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 0z. dark brown bottle. Freshness date on cap label. 2010.
Served in a short Corsendonk goblet.
It pours a mahogany/amber color with fast-fading mocha head and a fair amount a patchy and trailing lacing.
Big blasts of complex aromas rise at once. Mashed fig, banana bread, Tripel sec, citrusy and resinous hops, peppery spices and white rum, invite inhale after inhale.
The flavors are even bigger and bolder than the smells. Tastes range from rum-soaked figs and ripe banana, to toffee and buttery caramel, to Indian pudding, to resinous and peppery spice, and back to that rummy flavor. The tastes sometimes are similar and cross into a Quadrupel-like profile...not a complaint...just my perception.
The mouthfeel is wonderful smooth an silky, and not as oily as it appeared when pouring. I was going to cap it, but couldn't resist.
Whew!

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 14:45:26 | More by BeerResearcher

whatthehull

California

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tulip

A - Murky earth tone brown, one finger nice tan very pretty head and some sticky lacing

S - Sugar, very silky sweet booze, sweet dried dark and citrusy fruits, wood, used wine barrels, Belgian yeast, Apple orchard, huge sweet malts, some fruit and floral hops and just an all around really pretty sweet and crisp smell

T - Huge malt, nice brown sugar, very nice fruity and a bit citrus hop, flowers, Belgian yeast, oak, So crisp and fresh tasting,
very, very nice booze and lots of earth

M - Medium plus body, nice balance, has a great complexity, low plus acidity and a very nice sweet and bitter finish

D/O - This is a very, very nice fresh barley-wine. I don't know how it could get better with age, maybe the booze would tone down? I really enjoy the booze on the nose and palette. I am excited that we now get pretty little things all the way down here in Cali. If you like big, nice, complex and very enjoyable ale, give this one a try!

Final thought - Price is high at $11 bucks a pop, but worth it. It does have to travel pretty far to get here. The 13% abv means you only need one or a couple if you are a nut

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 00:59:04 | More by whatthehull

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Dark brown amber. Slightly transclucent. Half finger Head slightly golden.

S- Sweet Honey smell. Wine smell definitely comes out. Slightly boozey smell.

T- Sweet honey/caramel taste.

M- Smooth and drinkable. Alcohol doesn't come out too much especially at 13.5%. A little bit syrupy.

O- I liked this beer for the most part. I thought it was going to be a bit too boozey from the smell, but the taste wasn't too boozey. Overall pretty good for a Barleywine. Could have been a little bit less syrupy.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 03:44:57 | More by jaasen64

BostonBrewins

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A - A slow, thick looking pour. Dark Brown with ruby hues. Not much of a head forms, and what is there dissipates quickly. Not surprising for a barleywine though. Has some nice legs to it, sticky lacing.

S - Sweet, candy like aroma. Caramel and toffee with some biscuit undertones.

T - Tastes just as it smells. This is a certified malt bomb and there's nothing wrong with that. Big, sweet malty flavor. Balance has been thrown out the window, very little bitterness. Notes of sweet caramel, dates, and bread pudding. Lots of residual sugars. Alchohol is there but it's not scorching. A bit of tea like flavor too. Very flavorful stuff.

M - Full bodied and low carbonation. The only problem is it's a bit syrup, under attenuated.

O - A very nice sticky sweet offering. It's only weakness is it's ultra syrupyness, but beer is to be enjoyed and not overly criticized and I certainly enjoyed this one. Worth a pickup despite the slightly larger than average price tag.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 16:07:01 | More by BostonBrewins

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a deep ruby red with 1 finger of tan head that dissipates quickly. Excellent clarity and moderate carbonation. Thin layer of lacing coats the glass.

N: Concord grape, caramel, banana, cherry, plum, bready malts, notes of cocoa and some very subtle booze notes.

T: Banana bread, overripe plum, concord grape and caramel upfront. Dark fruits (plum and grape) become more apparent mid-palate along with hints of cherry and molasses. Finishes with some roasty cocoa, toffee and notes of black licorice and coffee.

M: Full bodied, silky, smooth, sticky, chewy and warming.

O: This is a tremendously refreshing English Barleywine. Goes down incredibly smooth for the high abv. Lovely dark fruits throughout mingling with caramel, bread and molasses while finishing nice and roasty. Exceptional!

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 15:50:52 | More by justintcoons

sommersb

Tennessee

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 01-13-2012
Freshness: Bottled 11-2011
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Snifter
Purchased: Received in a trade

Appearance: Pours a chestnut colored reddish brown, semi-clear. The head is tan with large bubbles, maybe a finger high which fades quickly, but leaves nice fingers of lacing during the session.

Smell: Rich, malty sweet aroma, with complex notes of molasses, ripe fruits like plum and raisin, brown sugar and spices. I also get some alcohol in the nose.

Taste: A nice malt bomb here, with caramels, plus nutty and spicy flavors. A good amount of alcohol is evident, with a whiskey-like quality. Also taste some woody/oak flavors, maybe from the earthy hops. A strong and flavorful taste.

Mouthfeel: Luxurious and full bodied, with a high amount of carbonation. The finish is somewhat sweet but not overly so, with a spicy/peppery aftertaste. Due to the alcohol warming, its a nice sipping beer.

Overall: My first Pretty Things Beer and my first English barleywine. Have to say I really enjoyed this ale!

Thanks to DrewShal9 for this one!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 02:55:04 | More by sommersb

nickfl

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured with one finger of off-white foam on top of a hazy, amber-brown body. The head settles slowly and leaves nice lace on the glass.

S - A malty aroma of brown sugar, dark bread, plums, red apple, licorice, cinnamon, and clove.

T - Dark caramel, red apple yeast, and spicy notes of cinnamon and clove up front. Some more phenolic yeast character comes out in the middle with plum and licorice. Finishes with more dark fruit, clove, and a warm, almost brandy like character.

M - A thick, syrupy body, moderately high carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Very complex and actually quite drinkable considering how strong it is. The alcohol is noticeable, but it doesn't seem as harsh as one might fear from a beer of this strength. Nicely done, and I'm sure this would age well if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:37:33 | More by nickfl

kylehay2004

Florida

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

single finger rapidly dissipating head on a very nice dark amber body. a little lacing. aroma is very different than most barley wines. this one has more of a chocolate and yeasty aroma with earthy notes. more of the same in the taste without the boozy flavoring that so man y barleywines seem to have. medium body and moderate carbonation. this one is very differnent from other barley wines I have had and one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:34:23 | More by kylehay2004

Blanco

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark mahogany color with white filmy head. Smell is very pleasant, but basically malt and dark fruit. Some of the booze does come through though which is a slight detractor. Flavor is malty with a hint of roastiness. A little bit of tart fruit in the background. Thick bodied. I really like this beer. This is my first English Barleywine, and I'm not sure if this is per style, but I'm digging it a lot more than I do American Barleywines. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 03:03:01 | More by Blanco

Treebs

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle split with my dad. Winter 2010/2011 label on the cap. Served in a Deschutes snifter. Thanks to Gushue3 for hitting this want of mine.

A: Pours a dark ruby with purple hues intertwined and light red edges. there a half inch off white head that forms on the pour and it recedes to a nice thick collar that leaves some stick lace.

S: Very light hops actually pop here right at the beginning, but it gives way to quickly to caramel malts, some burnt sugar and some plums and raisins.

T: There is almost a very faint oxidized flavor going on that leans to a sherry like flavor. Interesting to say the least. The toffee and caramel malts from the nose show up here as well the some booze soaked dark fruits and some candied figs.

M: Medium bodied, surprisingly a tad thin. I prefer a thick and syrupy mouthfeel and this didn't quite hit that. Lower carbonation as well.

O: The mouthfeel was a tad of a conundrum for me as I don't know how something this high ABV with all the right barleywine characteristics can be as thin as is it was. Still a nice tasting brew though.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 15:20:25 | More by Treebs

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Double Windsor, Brooklyn, NY.
Pours a golden brown with a nice thick head and good carbonation for a Barleywine. It doesnt seem as syrupy as some can be.
Smells of sweet vanilla, candied fruit, and booze.
Taste is similar, adding some brandy like characteristics and grassy/hay notes.
Overall, a nice barleywine, mild, drinkable and approachable.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 01:21:57 | More by DrinkSlurm

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: Bomber bottle from November of this year poured into a snifter glass. Poured and enjoyed at around cellar temperature.

Appearance: Medium to dark brown in color, with a creamy beige three finger head. Really sticky lacing around the glass.

Aroma: Pecans, figs, dates and caramel upfront in the nose. Much more nutty than I expected. A pretty strong herbal presence and some booze does shine through. Nicely balanced and very interesting.

Taste: Roasted pecans, smokey malt, and molasses. Really nice secondary notes of dark fruit, prominently dates and figs. Herbal notes and a bit of pine. The alcohol is really well hidden and the beer is nicely complex. Improves more and more as I sip it.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and full bodied. Really smooth.

Overall, a really one of a kind, tasty and complex barleywine. The alcohol is well hidden. I definitely will pick more of this up and keep some in the cellar to see how it evolves.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 00:43:59 | More by Gosox8787

Khazadum

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Good stickiness, murky Carmel body, great carbonation. Close creamy body of bubbles.

Thick sweet flavors, spruce.tips, caramel, molasses. Dark fruits, dates and.plums.

Thick. Creamy, sticky flavors. This has the most unusual power. Like a syrup without q problem.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 04:24:20 | More by Khazadum

DovaliHops

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled November 2011. Pours a dark, ruby-brown with a small tan/off-white head that disappears very quickly. Scent is a bit boozy, slight brandy aroma. A lot of dark fruit and sweet caramel malt. Tons of malt and some faint English hops. Taste is nitially dark fruit forward with hints of alcohol...not nearly as much as I was expecting though. A lot of caramel and vanilla with intense malt flavors. Raisins, dates, plums, and English malt and hops with a nice, warming boozy finish. Mouthfeel is full bodies with nice carbonation and slightly syrupy. Drinkability is scary high for such a big beer. Overall, hard to distinguish between a quad and this english barleywine. Could easily pass for a slightly hoppy quad. Nevertheless, a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 05:26:55 | More by DovaliHops

kiddynamite920

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown, ruby in color with some minimal off-white head. A bit darker than expected.

S: Caramel, bready malts followed by some strong and sweet booze. Some brown sugar and slight fig aroma. Just a bit overwhelming fresh I suppose. Minimal bitterness as expected.

T: Seems to have more flavor resonating after swallowing the beer. Begins a bit hot and with some sweetness. The caramel comes through late, strange. Alcohol is surprisingly less noticeable on the palate as on the nose. Follows the guidelines of an English barleywine on the low hop character, just seems to lack body.

M: 13.5 abv English BW, you would expect a malty, syrupy treat. Seems to be a bit thin somehow. Carbonation is a bit prickly on the tip of the tongue as well.

O: Seems good English Barleywines are hard to come by with American brewers. Might have to stick with good old J.W Lees when I need my sweet barleywine fix.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 05:26:41 | More by kiddynamite920

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear garnet with a pretty large creamy head. Nose is thick, sticky malt, honey, some leafy bitterness. Mouth is malt forward, sticky, a definitely leafy finish that could either mean this is a touch oxidized or it's something about this particular beer. Sweet, honey upfront. As it opened the leafy finish kind of calms down, but there's still something there I don't really dig. Feel is super creamy, thick and velvet. Overall pretty nice, but not one of the better English barley wines or old ales out there.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 01:45:06 | More by JAXSON

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled Nov 2011
Pours a slightly cloudy deep copper/brown color with a decent sized beige head that shows moderate retention and lace. Smells of toffee and caramel with hints of chocolate and brown sugar. Bready chocolate aroma with a hint of peanut butter? I swear it smells like a peanut butter ball a little. Taste is malty sweet with lots of caramel and brown sugar up front. Dark fruits like dried cherries, plums, and prunes. A hint of warming alcohol comes in but is never harsh. Thick body with a sweet sticky mouthfeel and a low to moderate level of carbonation. This is a big beer that demands respect, but proves to be quite easy to consume. I enjoyed this, but I did find it a touch boring, on the other hand, I'd love to see how this ages.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 02:10:28 | More by johnnnniee

pwoods

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to jmu500 for the great extra.

22oz. Brown bottle poured into a Russian River tulip.

A: Pours a lightish brown with copper hues. Decent head on the pour with some retention and little lacing.

S: Sweet caramel and toffee with plenty of dark fruits. Much more of the fruit from the big yeasty esters. Some hop aroma to balance... Almost seems like American hops with the fruits going around.

T/M: Dark fruits are still big with plenty of the caramel and toffee with a touch of molasses. Some hop bitterness and flavor to balance a touch. Alcohol is pleasant and soothing, though I'd never guess 13.5. Carbonation is mild and body is medium full to full.

D: Pretty damn tasty beer. One of the few pretty things beers that I've had but another tasty one.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 01:26:17 | More by pwoods

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Consumed 11/30
Poured in to my Portsmouth snifter

A: This beer pours a ruddy, reddish brown with a one finger of sudsy off white head. Head recedes somewhat quickly leaving minor spots of lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is sweet caramel and toffee notes, with some dark fruits - plum, raisin and a bit of grape.

T: Taste is toffee sweetness at the forefront. A touch of booziness comes through mingled with caramel notes. The booziness isn't overpowering or detering. It actually works well with how the beer is blended. The dark fruit flavoring of plum comes in, and then a lighter raisin and grape flavoring with a bit of a woody character to it.

M: Medium body, moderate carbonation, rich body but not overly thick.

O: Goes down easy, quite tasty, not too filling, well hidden kick, nice representation of style. I'm not a big fan of barleywines, appreciate the style but don't often seek them out. I would definitely have this beer again though.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 01:05:24 | More by Jayli

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle, $11.00 at The Liquor Store in Tyngsboro, Mass.

Pours chestnut brown with a quarter inch head of beige. A few errant whisps on the surface for the duration with sparrotic dots of lacing.

Aromatics lead off with figs, toffee, vanilla, juicy malt, and a caramel reduction. Hints of leather, nougat, and Werther's candies follow through.

On the fuller side of medium bodied with a slickish, tacky mouthfeel.

Dark fruit, caramel-drizzeled nougat, and juicy malt start the palate. Hints of vanilla, toffee, and plump raisins follow through.

Finishes with plenty of malty heff, warming alcohol, and chipped toffe.

Great beer. Zero hopping to speak of and a great hybrid-english style BW. I would be interested in seeing where this one goes in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 22:51:01 | More by brewandbbq