Brandy Barrel Aged Barleywine - Coronado Brewing Company

kevanb

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bomber poured into a wine glass.

A: Really sexy burgundy color, slight off-white head that dissipates quickly but leaves a thick rim around the glass. Very thick viscous appearance as the beer sloshes about the glass, very opaque, hints of tan and rub red in the light.

S: Brandy sweetness comes off immediately, oak and vanilla come through as well followed by a very strong malt backbone. I detect tads of coffee, plum and the faintest of chocolate from the brandy sweetness. Nicely balanced and really intriguing, almost no heat from the alcohol, very well hidden in the nose.

T: A bit muddled and not as balanced as the nose, but still delicious. Lots of malt, big grain flavors come forward followed by nice toffee and nougat flavors. Some dark fruits appear with oak and sappy flavors, but the balance isn't as refined as the nose. It gets a bit muddled and the alcohol is very present in the flavor, no burn but a definite alcohol presence, but nothing NOTABLY brandy. Kind of wishing for a bigger brandy kick.

M: Nice syrupy texture, reminiscent of a strong ale like Double Bastard, but there is some unpleasant heat at times from the alcohol but no burn. Very smooth finish compliments this well.

O: Really lovely barleywine from Coronado. The brandy added a lot to the aroma, but not as much to the flavors as I'd like, but the flavors are still extremely pleasant and very enjoyable. Could use some age, but great fresh.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 03:44:30 | More by kevanb

HopsMatt

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-17-2013 01:29:49 | More by HopsMatt

MaseFace

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-17-2013 01:28:53 | More by MaseFace

DruRho

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

04-04-2013 22:52:06 | More by DruRho

Rhettroactive

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

03-02-2013 19:09:09 | More by Rhettroactive

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev -0.2%

02-09-2013 03:31:32 | More by imperialking

Texasfan549

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +6%

11-10-2012 14:20:50 | More by Texasfan549

dtx00

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6%

10-22-2012 04:22:59 | More by dtx00

spicelab

Australia

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber. 2011. Shared with mulder1010 and MrKennedy. Reveiwed from notes.

Murky brown with a beige head of moderate staying power. Leaves the odd bit of spotty lace.

The additives are straight to the fore, with orange blossom and brown sugar residing over notes of stewed plums, caramelised dates, molasses, pungent toffee and bready malts, and doughy yeast.

Similar, but bigger and better. The brandy barrel works effectively to prevent cloying sweetness from encroaching, and integrates nicely with the chunky strawberry jam and orange character.

Medium, with mouthwash-esque carbonation and mild booze heat. Could do with a ballsier body.

Classy stuff. Great example of barrel ageing and additives being employed smartly and in just the right proportions to complement and enhance the base beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 06:05:50 | More by spicelab

doucmehu

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -0.2%

09-18-2012 18:43:44 | More by doucmehu

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

09-16-2012 14:21:28 | More by t0rin0

phingdong

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%

08-28-2012 04:32:07 | More by phingdong

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage.

Pours a dark chocolate brown color that's completely opaque with a one finger yellowish-beige head that quickly settles into a thin lasting ring. Sporadic spotty lacing left behind.

The aroma of this beer is pretty complex with brandy barrel elements blended with dark fruit, earthy spice, citrus and leathery malt. Some dry, earthy oak, vanilla and a really prominent brandy character. Some boozy sweetness with hints of molasses, caramel apple, date, fig and raisin followed by leathery malt notes and subtle spice. Smells great.

Medium bodied with soft carbonation and perfectly integrated brandy barrel flavor. Some dry, toasted oak, coconut, sweet brandy and vanilla followed by dark fruit, leathery malt and sweet booze. Hints of caramel, molasses and toffee along with some fig, plum, raisin and faint citrus. There's some leathery malt toward the finish but the sweetness from the brandy, spices and honey overshadows it a bit. Just a touch of boozy warmth after the swallow but the high ABV is excellently masked. It's hard to believe that this beer is 11%. A bit on the sweet side but really flavorful and dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 07:29:38 | More by corby112

siege06nd

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Rhettroactive for this!

A. Pours a cloudy, dank ruddy brown. Quarter finger of cream colored head. Good lacing. Coloring is like a baby's diaper, though.

S. Roasted malt, raisin, caramel, toffee, oak, and a little tannic sweetness.

T. Caramel, raisin, some vanilla, oak, lots of alcohol burn.

M. Full bodied, thick, chewy, not overly complex, but good.

O. A decent barleywine with a heavy barrel influence. Solid, not great.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 00:32:22 | More by siege06nd

dmsohyea

California

4/5  rDev -0.2%

06-22-2012 23:39:53 | More by dmsohyea

duceswild

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

06-18-2012 01:00:11 | More by duceswild

Pencible

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

06-16-2012 18:51:47 | More by Pencible

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +6%

06-14-2012 22:56:36 | More by goblue3509

jbuddle

New York

4/5  rDev -0.2%

06-11-2012 13:09:45 | More by jbuddle

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

06-10-2012 22:24:34 | More by stephenjmoore

drewone

California

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

06-02-2012 06:20:57 | More by drewone

Exiled

Texas

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-24-2012 23:36:09 | More by Exiled

mactrail

California

3.25/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Quite sweet, with a stickiness that stays with you. The honey and sugary flavors are all over this. There is almost a sour taste at first sip, which must be the dark side of that odd honey flavor. Sharper than many Barley Wines, in spite of the maltiness.

A distinct touch of wood along with some vanilla. The fruit goes through the spectrum. Tastes to me like canned plums, a light prune flavor, and apricot nectar. Caramel and candy flavors with a nose of fudge and mango. A glow of hops rises through the malt to add some prickliness.

Very warm in the mouth, the alcohol seems to fume as you sip. Finishes with a bitter twang and that boozy taste that is rather pleasant. From the 22 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 06:04:19 | More by mactrail

FosterJM

California

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

1256th Review on BA
Bottle to Snifter
22 oz

No bottle date
I know I bought this from Total Wine but not sure what $$ was.

App- A very ruddy brown pour with some garnet mixed in. A nice medium two finger light khaki head formed and was gone. A small amount of residual cling.

Smell- A ton of huge honey notes on this one. A small hop tinge and a big blast of booze on the nose. A creamy brandy note was there as well.

Taste- Taking into account the added malts and hops for the style, this tastes an awful lot like Eclipse Brandy. This however had just a touch more cordial flavor to it with a bit of creaminess, a bit prickly and smooth all wrapped together.

Mouth- A fuller medium with a bit of a prickly medium carbonation level. Residual creamy malts and booze.

Drink- Tasty, not a top level BBBW but getting close to them. I would like another bottle to sit on for a while.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 15:06:25 | More by FosterJM

seeswo

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -19%

05-06-2012 20:01:33 | More by seeswo