Old Birdbrain - Black Raven Brewing Co.

TheEarl

Washington

4.9/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I had this most recently at Black Raven's 2013 Flock Party. It was served in a 12 ounce snifter.

Appearance: The beer is a clear, orange/amber with white lacing.

Aroma: Aggressive notes of caramel, vanilla, apple, and oak with a bit of alcohol on the end.

Taste: The taste mirrors the aroma with an initial sweetness that fades into the more complex flavors and finishes with some alcohol heat.

Mouthfeel: Birdbrain is viscous, chewy, and more carbonated than I'd expected. Very nice.

Overall: Old Birdbrain is a masterpiece of a beer. This is easily my favorite barleywine and one of my favorite beers overall. The flavors and aromas are so distinct but also blend together quite well.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 22:53:37 | More by TheEarl

mdaschaf

Washington

4.41/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes. Thanks to Greg for sharing! 2011 vintage.

A: Pours a clear amber/ruby color with a small off-white head on top that reduces quickly to a thin ring on top. Thin lacing forms down the sides.

S: Rather sweet upfront, lots of caramel right away. There is a vanilla and a bit of oak, a bit of alcohol as well.

T: Again, on the sweet side with plenty of caramel and toffee mixed with vanilla and oak. Some caramelized brown sugar as well.

M: Medium to full bodied, slightly hot, but still pretty nice.

O: A pretty good barleywine, definitely one I want to try again.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:01:46 | More by mdaschaf

Treebs

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle served in a Black Raven curved pint glass. Thanks to OakedCanuck for the bottle. Thanks Colin!

A: Pours a clear amber color with some dark brown highlights. A light brown head forms on the pour and recedes very slowly to a thin film. Nice retention. The head leaves some sticky sheets of lace down the glass.

S: Lots of caramel sweetness up front. Some mild dark fruit, mostly raisin, with a little bready malt as well. Slightly boozy as well. Light rye whiskey, but it's hard to pull out.

T: Sticky caramel sweetness. Underlying hops. A little citric in nature, sorta like candied grapefruit. A little booze with some oxidation that has brought out a sherry like character. A little booze with some dark cherry. Some light herbal spice, maybe the rye whiskey barrel.

M: Medium bodied, a little sticky, but surprisingly drinkable. Smooth and sweet finish with a medium low carbonation level.

O: A very nice barleywine that has aged gracefully. I'm glad I have a second bottle to sit on for a while as I think it's going to develop a lot more and become more complex.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 02:25:06 | More by Treebs

smakawhat

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a snifter at Smoke & Barrel DC for the dc bottle share. From notes.

A real nice light orange amber body, with an off tan somewhat creamy head. Makes a decent collar that always sticks around.

Nose is very small and closed, but there is that pickle brine again, with some indistinct mild hop presence I can't determine.

The palate opens up though on first sip with a good caramel sweetness. Thick malt action with a real crackery mix of crispness and toasty brown sugar. Feel has a good thick body but doesn't get into a huge over kill of sugar and alcohol boozy rush. Coats the palate nicely with it's caramel and lingers nicely.

Overall a real nice solid barleywine, like the toasty angle on this quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 22:45:29 | More by smakawhat

KevSal

California

4.44/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Boom! huge thanks to stx00lax, Jacob your kindness never ceases to surprise me!

This is a huge huge want that I've been hoping id get to try some day or it would be bottled, my wish came true.

12oz bottle into a tulip

A- looks great, nice and dark red. Looks just as expected. Slight beige head.

S-huge! Lots of wood upfront, smells massive and thick. vanilla and very slight cherry in the back end. The oak is prominent and very pleasant

T- oak upfront with vanilla and tons of malts and some spicyness, reminiscent of ba hifi, maybe there's a lot of rye in this guy? Either way it's fantastic!

M- this one is thick, lots of weight and body, one very noticeable characteristic is it's not super chewy or sticky.

O- fantastic! It's a huge contrast to most ba barelywines that are chewy and tons of dark fruits. This goes in another direction, it's a lot more along the lines of ba hifi (which i found out is my highest rated ba barlywine!) and coast nuptial. I have a strong feeling this one will age along the same lines, in 2 years this will be the real deal ba Barleywine. I dot expect to get that chance but I am very greatful to have this one.

Thanks again Jacob, I really hope this wasn't your one and only! Either way Ot was thoroughly enjoyed!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 10:34:32 | More by KevSal

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.23/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 on tap at the brewpub.

A - Served a deep red/brown/copper with a very few dark tan bubbles on the top that quickly disappear.

S - Carmel, toffee, vanilla and lots of bourbon greatness.

T - The taste does not disappoint. Carmel, toffe and more bourbon. Drinks so freaking easy it is rediculous. It is scary how good and how easy this one is to drink.

D - Lower carbonation with a lighter than expected body and mouthfeel.

O - I had low expectations and left very impressed with this one. I very good BW that drinks easy and isn't as heavy as most others.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 07:53:33 | More by HuskyinPDX

dirtylou

Washington

4.4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on-tap, brouwers. I believe this was the first keg to kick at hard liver 2012

1x12oz pour, 1x3oz pour

appearance: served in unbranded snifters - clear golden orange body, one of the lighter ales served up at the festival.

smell: sweet malts, oak, vanilla, booze

taste: black raven is quite popular in this area and it seems like whenever their kegs hit Seattle mainland, they disappear immediately, probably because nobody wants to drive to Redmond. This was a very HQ barleywine - nice balance of hops and malt, great oak/vanilla presence, citrus, bourbon and caramelized sugars

mouthfeel: creamy medium body

overall: solid stuff

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 00:13:49 | More by dirtylou

jpbebeau

Washington

4.65/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Preview of 2011 vintage on tap at the brewery during Washington Beer Open House. To tulip. 10.9% ABV.

From notes.

A: Clear golden amber with beautiful slow-release carbonation rising from the bottom. Very fine bubbles collect at edges of the glass. Minor head and lacing. Legs consist of those fine bubbles.

S: Malts, mild sweet whiskey, floral hops, honey. Lovely.

T: Gorgeous hop/malt balance. Lingering, perfect hop finish. Never over-sweet. Never too bitter. Went well with the provided paired cheeses.

M: So smooth. Such fine carbonation. Not too thick or heavy, but definitely substantial.

Wow. If this is the young preview version of this beer, I can't wait to get a taste of it matured, or, hopefully, the 2010 and/or 2009 vintages.

Black Raven does not disappoint.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2012 05:52:47 | More by jpbebeau

NWer

Washington

4.97/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2010 vintage at the brewery.
I first tasted this at their birthday celebration but my senses were too overloaded to make an accurate review.
Revisited at the brewery today. Very nice young lady allowed me to taste both the 2009 and the 2010 before I decided on the 2010.
I am overwhelmed.
This beer should be shared with the world but alas it isn't bottled. Not even growlers to go.
Nice deep red/brown/black appearance subdued head typical of a high abv beer.
Bourbon. Bourbon notes. Bourbon smell. Bourbon taste.
Taste lingers exceptionally well making this the perfect sipping beer.
I can't wait for Black Raven to re-offer this beer at a celebration of some sort next year to see how it ages since I don't have the opportunity to put some away myself.
Did I say I'm overwhelmed?
Try it if you get the chance. Savoring this beer is one of life's great pleasures.
edit: original review 5/27/2011 revisited 6/5.2011.
Went with the 2009 this time and similarly overwhelmed but even though the 2009 gets all the accolades, I like the 2010 better. I'm sure they will have some around next year to do a nice vertical with the 2012. Can't wait.
Edit 1/27/2012 Tapped a keg today and rushed over. This is my most sought after beer except for Pliny the Younger. Two glasses, savored every drop. Damn I love this beer!

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 21:18:30 | More by NWer

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured a nice copper color with a small white head with light lacing left behind

S: Nose is super nice with hints of vanilla, American oak and a nice bourbon note.

T: Taste has a BIG but subtle and soothing barrel influence with vanilla, oak and bourbon, caramel being key influences. I picked up a light floral and citrus note with darting hints of toffee and carameilzed sugar. Not overly done on any note but well played and each tasting note is well meshed and not in competition.

M: Mouthfeel is big body but not overly hefty and chewy, pretty easy going; dry, sugary sweet, vanilla, bourbon, oak.

O: Drinkability is very good as this was very impressive

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2010 02:08:17 | More by barleywinefiend