Barleywine Style Ale - Green Flash Brewing Co.

jtingue

New York

4.05/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2012 Vintage. Poured into a snifter.

Appearance. Mahogany brown in color. Pours with 3 fingers of cappuccino head, which slowly dissipates, leaving lots of sticky lacing, to a good layer on top of the beer.

Smell. Obviously a very hop forward barleywine, with citrus and pine. In the background, though there is a lot of alcohol and some more traditional barleywine: toffee, some vanilla, and dark fruits.

Taste. Very sweet as it first touches the lips. Some raisin like flavors come next. Some moderate bitterness comes in, along with some grapefruit hop flavor. Some toffee sweetness come in, before another round of bitterness which lingers into a sweet finish.

Mouthfeel. The body, as one would expect is pretty full, and carbonation is low. Nothing complex here, but appropriate for a barleywine.

Not usually a fan of american barleywines, as compared to the english version. This one, however, was quite pleasant and the hop presence was more balanced with the malts, as opposed to a bigfoot IMO. Its hard to describe some of the hop flavors in this one, as they blend so well with the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 00:14:36 | More by jtingue

Brad007

Vermont

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

Pours a dark red/burgundy color with a one-finger head into my glass. Barleywine style? Umm, sure!

Sweet with raisin, plum and some hops in the nose. Not overwhelming.

Some citrus hops but not much else. Raisin, etc. Lots of alcohol. Your standard barleywine.

Ditto on mouthfeel, except that the alcohol kicks back some more.

Not the best I've had. That honor goes to the one, the only Vermonster!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 07:57:26 | More by Brad007

evilkalla

Alabama

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

Serving: Bomber into my Arrogant Bastard Ale glass. 2012 vintage.

A: Dark amber/red color. Pours with a very thick half inch of head. Carbonation is small but visible. Very nice.

S: Very malty with hints of piney hops.

T: Immediate piney bitterness, followed by a huge caramel malt backbone. Bitterness lingers for a long time. Very nice. This would probably age really well.

M: Thick but not syrupy. Good.

O: Glad I tried this. Wish I had bought another one to age for a while.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 23:45:39 | More by evilkalla

shambeano

Australia

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Shared with a mate and poured into a tulip.
A- dark ambery brown. Inch of fluffy head, some lacing. Looks good.
S- sweet malt, caramel, biscuity, the some resiny, piny hops.
T- sweet and caramely malts straight up, fair bit of resinous hop, pine. Tastes much like it smells, well rounded.
M- thick and creamy, length lacks a touch.
O- very nice version of a barleywine. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 07:54:41 | More by shambeano

flagmantho

Washington

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

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: rich ruddy-amber hue with a relatively haze-free body. Head is two fingers of frothy orange-tinged tan foam. I like it.

Smell: strong, rich malt aroma with quite a bit of sweetness. Nice, but not very complex at all. I feel like there could be a lot more going on.

Taste: rich, strong, sweet malt with a big alcohol bite. The flavor is really quite good; like the aroma, though, it's not terribly complex. Still, the rich maltiness works perfectly for the style.

Mouthfeel: medium-thick body with a decent level of carbonation and a good, rich texture. I like it.

Overall: a decent barleywine. I wish there were more complexity here, but overall this is a well-crafted and tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2012 22:00:08 | More by flagmantho

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A side by side comparison of a fresh 2011 bottle with a properly cellared 2009, both served at 55 degrees.
2011:
Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a clear, deep coppery amber. Healthy fine two finger light tan head with good retention and nice lacing. Muted aroma of hops and light caramel malt. Subdued flavors of caramel malt and dark fruit with somewhat herbal hops dominating and a bitter, slighly astringent finish. A nice mellow initial flavor that is not supported by the harsher finish. Medium bodied with some creaminess and complex enough to hope for positive change with cellaring. A well made barley wine with potential; a bit too hot for me to enjoy fresh.
2009:
Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours dark coppery red amber. Thin light tan head with good retention and lacing. Great barley wine aroma of dark fruit, caramel malt, lightly oxidized. Flavor follows aroma with the same dark fruit and carmel malt dominating, sharp hop bite in the finish. No oxidation noted in the flavor. Flavor is still hot from alchohol, but more melded into the other flavors. This has definitely improved with age. The finish is still a bit astringent, but now better supported by the rich flavors in the main body. Mouth feel is similar to fresh, medium bodied with light creaminess. A pleasant, well made barley wine that has improved with three years of aging. I think this beer would be improved by knocking a few degrees of alcohol from the formula, it is very hot fresh and still rather hot aged. Still enjoyable with due caution.

Main review points for the fresh bottle, the 2009 scored:
3.5/4.5/4/3.5/4

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 03:43:47 | More by LiquidAmber

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

2008 Vintage. 22oz. bottle.

A: deep copper red color, clear, good head that dissipated
S: medium nose, good balance between roasted malt and fruity hops, slight medicinal nose
T: strong deep roasted/burnt malt with generous hop bitterness, some oxidation
M: some oxidation, some astringency, average for style and mouthfeel

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 14:13:57 | More by wisrarebeer

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Deep mahogany with a half-inch thick head. Some decent lacing, but nothing spectacular. This looks like a typical Barleywine.

SMELL: Very complex. Spicy, fruity and very bready. The aroma of wheat bread is almost overwhelming, but banana, caramel and toffee also come through.

TASTE: Again, this is a pretty complex beer. The breadiness of the nose makes itself known in the finish, but prior to that a bitter hoppiness dominates each sip. Despite all the hops there is still plenty of malt in order to keep this in big, rich Barleywine territory. Banana, grapefruit, orange, pine and more wheat bread all play a role in this tasty offering from Green Flash.

MOUTHFEEL: Rich and full-bodied. The carbonation is strong for a Barleywine, but it works very well with the bitterness.

OVERALL: This is one of the better fresh bottles of Barleywine I've had. I'm sure it will age very well also, but I wish I had a second bottle now.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 11:01:25 | More by StoneTSR

StonedTrippin

Colorado

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

good conventional barleywine. pours a deep ruby brown color, like an overripe apple. small white head, minimal lacing. smells strong, notes of spice and wheat bread are present, as is some darker malt sweetness. flavor is nice, well rounded, this one might age well. toffee and dried fruit mingle in the flavor as well. feel is good too, bubbly and just short of full bodied. i could drink several of these, and the price was fair. overall one of the more enjoyable barleywine's ive had this season.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2012 06:18:44 | More by StonedTrippin

gford217

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bomber.

Pours a bright clear orange-amber with an enormous off-white head that refuses to recede and leaves sheets of lacing on the sides.

Aroma is very hoppy with pineapples and oranges on one side and pine resin on the other. The malts come in the form of light toffee and biscuit notes - a "West Coast" barleywine aroma.

Taste is bitter and astringent up front with floral pine and faint citrus. There is more caramel malt sweetness than in the nose but it's really just a background taste when compared to the hops which linger with some light sugary sweetness in the finish.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied and sticky - not sticky with your typical BW sweetness but rather from the resinous hop presence. Lots of burn in the finish as the alcohol is not hidden very much.

This is certainly an American barleywine, and a hopped up version of one at the that. Or it could be that the malt profile is just extremely light. Either way, it's tasty, but more geared toward the hop heads out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 02:21:19 | More by gford217

danieelol

Australia

3.3/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

With thanks to MrKennedy for bringing this back from Warners for me.

Pours a classic malty slightly brown gold. Good head retention and lacing.

Smell is green apple skins, cider, the mint and pine of the promised Pacific Northwest hop charge. Really boozy too, like apple liqueur.

Taste is apple liqueur with some wholesome honey/caramel malt to balance. If anything, this drinks like it's a higher ABV than it actually is (15%+).

Medium body (the booze probably makes it feel a bit thicker than it is), low-medium carb. Quite good here.

Reasonable, but _really_ boozy. Neither hops nor malt are sufficient to tame the alcohol properly.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 09:23:04 | More by danieelol

TheWhiskerReview

Tennessee

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

2012 Vintage. Tasted very fresh.

Pours a burnt reddish-orange with a creamy off white head, reducing to a small ring with spotty soapy lace.

Very hoppy right from the start, with just as much woody pine, earthy spice and leafy aromas as there are malt tones of caramel, toffee and dark bread.

Palate is very full bodied with, again, about equal proportions of robust malt and hop slick- flavors of pine, toffee and dark bread. Kind of closed actually, like a young Cabernet. Some spice brings in the big bitterness that lasts through the long finish. Alcohol is noticeable but isn't as over the top as any other part of the beer, leading to the long IPA-like finish- bitter and juicy with faint hints of lingering caramel.

Needs some age to get interesting, but certainly drinkable now. And undoubtedly West Coast with that huge hoppiness.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 20:19:53 | More by TheWhiskerReview

plfahey

Minnesota

3.83/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz. bottle poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance-Crimson red with a slight cast of haze. Big sticky beige head has good retention and some nice lacing.

Aroma-Pine, citrus, resin, and some alcohol notes. Toffee, rich caramel, and raisins show through in the background. Strange, sweetish aroma as well that I can't quite pick out.

Flavor-Citrus flavor with sticky caramel, toffee, and dried fruit. Mid palate shows pine, resin, and moderately aggressive bitterness. Finishes dry and quite bitter, but pleasant. Leafy, resiny flavors linger on into the finish.

Mouthfeel-Medium full body with moderate carbonation. Intense bitterness is dry, but never astringent.

Pretty solid barleywine, and would probably improve with a bit of age. Not bad, but not incredible given some of the other American barleywines out there.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 06:49:23 | More by plfahey

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, copper color with a two-finger, long lasting, tan head of bubbly foam. It left sticky rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled malty and boozy with a touch of caramel.

T - It tasted of caramel and toffee with a nice sweetness. There is a good dose of bitter hops to balance out the sweet.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium to full bodied ale with an alcohol warmth.

O - This is a really tasty barleywine. It leans toward sweet but has just enough balance.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2012 00:05:07 | More by zeff80

mdcrouser

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer for breakfast? You might think so, with what looks like a base of amber maple syrup and a head of pancake batter. Bring on the eggs and bacon and we’ll set to start the day. Half of the head seems left behind in the rings.

Characteristically barleywine, sweetly malted, with green and citrus hops deep in the background.

Thick and syrupy on the tongue. Gripping right up front – much more highly hopped than I would’ve guessed. In fact, so much so that the malts are swallowed up by their greener, vegetative friends. Lots of white pepper here too, followed by a mild burn of alcohol. That all mellows a bit as it comes to temperature, drawing down on the vegetation, pepper and alcohol, while bringing some malts up. Still, out of balance for me.

Drying on the tongue, enveloping it with big barleywine flavors, combining malts and hops.

There are some redeeming characteristics in this beer. Is it great? No. With the right palette, could this beer be enjoyable? Sure. Is it mine? Not tonight.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 03:26:02 | More by mdcrouser

ADZA

Australia

3.98/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark copper hue which leaves a two finger creamy head and lacing everywhere,the smell is piney citrus hops,boiled candy,toffee and fresh herbs,the mouthfeel is sticky and over medium bodied with tastes of sticky piney hops lots of them mixed with carrot cake,orange marmalade,xmas pudding,boozy alcohol but only a little touch,treacle,sticky date pudding with the finish being more sweet than bitter and overall a very sweet dessert brew that i could drink more than one of cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 12:37:47 | More by ADZA

billab914

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 vintage poured from a 22oz bottle into my Dogfish snifter. It poured a dark caramel color with a sticky white head leaving it's mark all over the glass. Great lacing as I drank it.

The aroma shows a good amount of citrus hoppiness to it. I get some sweeter, malty, caramel, barleywine flavors to it as well. Pretty good mix of flavors to it, but it's not as bold or flavorful as the best of the style. Pretty good overall though.

The taste also has a mix of citrusy, floral hoppiness and malty caramel sweetness. I get some toffee and brown sugar to it as well. The resiny hoppiness balances it pretty well.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side, but about average for the style. The carbonation is moderate to above average. Overall it was a good beer, but not an outstanding one. It was flavorful and very easy drinking for the style but I just didn't find that it stood out really in any specific category. It was a pretty enjoyable and drinkable beer overall though.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 00:00:21 | More by billab914

SLeffler27

New York

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

A half-inch frothy head lingers over a lightly hazy copper beer with red to pink highlights. Streaming carbonation with patchy lace and a viscous film on the glass.

Figs jump out of the Dogfish Head snifter, followed by prunes and light grapefruit with a mild sweetness.

After aging two years this one puts off earthy flavors with bitterness on the back of the tongue. Nuts, figs and raisins are present and there is a long, dry finish with moderate bitterness. Warmth brings out some hop flavors.

A full body with rich velvety texture, prickly carbonation and a fair presence of alcohol.

While one could sip this beer, it is better with food. Try beef. Green Flash’s Barley Wine has enough character to explore on its own but is much more suited as an accompaniment.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 22:26:43 | More by SLeffler27

doughanson78

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a snifter. 2011 vintage.

A: Medium dark ruby red color with great clarity. Two finger light tan head with great retention and lacing.

S: Apples and caramel. Brown sugar and toffee. A touch of dark fruits. Pretty malty. Minimal hops. Touch of alcohol.

T: Big caramel upfront with a touch of toffee, brown sugar, and a faint apple flavor. Dark fruits in the middle with a light piney hop bitterness. Finishes with more caramel, a touch of apple, and a bit of alcohol.

M: Medium full body. Medium carbonation. Creamy and a touch dry.

O: It's good. A bit on the sweet side and not real hoppy for an American Barleywine. Pretty easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 11:40:14 | More by doughanson78

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 16 oz. snifter.

A- Pours a dark copper with 2f inger light tan head. Lacing coats the glass and slowly resides down it.

S- Sweet caramel, toffee, big citrus hop punch.

T- Sweet toasted malts, caramel, toffee, and again lots of citrus hops (mainly grapefruit), also slight grassy bitterness at finish.

M- Medium body and carbonation. Leaves a bitter grass/weed taste in mouth.

O- Good American Barleywine. Nothing crazy or complex going on here, but has nice sweet malts and citrus hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 04:21:11 | More by kawilliams81

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

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

22 oz bottle purchased 7/2011, from a bottle shop, label states 2011 Vintage, no date code on bottle. Well stored since purchased.

Poured into a Dogfish Head Snifter.

Pours a nice one finger head, thick and foamy, slowly reduces to eight inch cap. Some nice sticky lace. Very deep dark amber color, with a very lively carbonation. Great looking Ale.

The aroma hits you with distinct malt and bitter hops, but you really can’t distinguish pine or citrus in the hops as the malt dominates and the hops need to be more assertive. Faint medicinal smell comes and goes.

Very, very crisp, snappy entry on the palate of aggressive bitter hops, followed by a distinct dryness which is very refreshing for this style, then the medium rich, distinct and very balanced malt comes forward to make this a very rewarding drink.
The crisp acidity, 11% ABV, and great small bubble carbonation make for a full bodied and balanced mouth feel.
As this Ale warms the malt becomes more noticeable but never comes close to outdoing the hops.

Very long finish of bitter hops, the hop oils coat the mouth, followed by a distinct sensation of dryness, and then comes the malt.

A surprisingly dry and delicious rendition of the style. Great aggressive hop bitterness in the flavor and finish. Delicious.
The hops from the flavor are missing in the smell, which is this Ales greatest weakness.
Maybe it’s past its prime or was not stored properly?
That being said this was an enjoyable Ale. IMO definitely at its best at 50-55 degrees.
Recommended for a test drive.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 00:38:54 | More by JTSbeerislife

HighballurRollby

California

4.47/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this one out while looking for a beer with high ABV. This one just happened to be the highest at a solid 10.9 (beat that bud light platinum!) Anyways, on to the beer!

I gotta say, I've only had one other barleywine (Sierra Nevada Bigfoot vintage 2010, 2011), and I'm beginning to release what type of beer I prefer when it comes to these American strong ales. I personally prefer a sweeter taste, because many times these dark brews can be just so dry and woody that I just can't really enjoy a whole 24 ounces of it. This beer offers a very smooth mouthfeel blend of medium chocolate, dark toffee, brown sugar, and a soft hop bitterness. I think the lack of hop bitterness and at the same time the lack of malt grain taste enables the "other" flavors to really stand out to me and add to this beer in a positive way. If you asked me what the ABV of this beer was I couldn't tell you honestly, I can't really taste the alcohol. Overall I'm very impressed with the taste of this brew and I will be chalking this up on my top barleywine list! Great job Green Flash Brewing Company!!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 09:32:17 | More by HighballurRollby

TheSarge

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured well into my .3l Guinness glass, and has a well filtered copper colored body and a towering off white head.

Piny aromas, but a well pronounced caramel colored body.

The taste is surprisingly vanilla, with orange, bourbon, and cracker and maybe a bit mesquite.

Feels mildly carbonated, kind of dry, and slightly warm in the end.

Long time since I'd had a barley wine. Well worth the wait.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 00:48:47 | More by TheSarge

Drinkerofales

California

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

Well, my first barley wine in 20 years...my last one was a drain pour, but now...

2011 Vintage

Pours a clear amber with hints of gold, a huge ecru head leaves some lacing and sticks around till the end.

Smell is a touch roasted malt, caramel, some hops and booze, and a touch medicinal.

Taste is of big roasted malt, and to a lesser degree, some hops, and dark sugars like molasses or brown sugar.

Feels creamy and smooth, coats the tongue, amazing for such high abv.

Well, I admit, my expectations were low, so my experience was great. I enjoyed this beer thoroughly, and I will add the barleywine style to my rotation, and the reviews say this isn't even one of the good ones....

DOA

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 10:19:29 | More by Drinkerofales

Marty30

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle served into a Duvel tulip.55 degrees. 2011 batch

A. Dark muddy brown body, 1 finger off-white head,some spotty lacing.

S. I get caramel first with some butterscotch and brown sugar. Some fruits such as banana and fig.

T. Definately some alchohol presence in this. Follows the smell, good caramel and brown sugar with the ripe fruits. Ends with a slightly bitter finish.

M. Nice thick,heavy feel coats the palete. Bitter slightly dry finish.

Overall pretty good,above average BW. I would not hesitate to drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 01:02:16 | More by Marty30