Great - Alpine Beer Company

d0ggnate

California

4.13/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

After much anticipation, I've finally got the opportunity to try this offering from Alpine, due to their recent release.

After time to warm to room temp, Great poured to my glass a brown/reddish hue with nearly no head. With my glass held to light, this beer appears deep, almost ruby, red.

At first nose, I notice a very noticeable, but not overwhelming bourbon aroma. Other notes of molasses and rich malt abound. Sweet, sugary smells arise from the glass, as well. Complex smell profile keeps my nose in the glass throughout my trial of Great.

At taste, I find a bit of crushed red grapes, with more bourbon familiarity. Heavy, but balanced malt tastes last from beginning to end. Finishes on my palate with a sugary bite.

Decent consistency at mouthfeel. A bit watery for my taste, but still nice. Very well balanced flavors and body, with a great alcohol warming effect without being overtaken by this 14% beast. I was very impressed with this beer and would love to put this side by side with other barrel-aged barleywines. Something tells me time will improve this "great" beer, too.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2009 05:40:34 | More by d0ggnate

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

05-17-2013 23:59:52 | More by bsuedekum

coryking

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

05-17-2013 21:35:40 | More by coryking

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

05-07-2013 23:58:42 | More by cadaugherty

pperez38

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

05-02-2013 10:44:27 | More by pperez38

readbaron

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

04-24-2013 22:10:44 | More by readbaron

mmcnaughton

Michigan

5/5  rDev +12.4%

04-21-2013 17:54:06 | More by mmcnaughton

PlinyBeMiney

California

5/5  rDev +12.4%

04-19-2013 05:08:28 | More by PlinyBeMiney

madtowndmb1

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +12.4%

04-11-2013 22:46:28 | More by madtowndmb1

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

04-09-2013 12:56:54 | More by Retail1LO

JasonFromLA

California

4/5  rDev -10.1%

03-29-2013 07:01:34 | More by JasonFromLA

BeRanger

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

03-16-2013 12:19:09 | More by BeRanger

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks again to jzeilinger for opening this one with me. This poured out as a nice hazy brown color. The head comes and goes rather quickly. No real retention or lacing on this one. The beer smells sweet like caramel with a bit of barrel aging on the nose. The hops are a bit hidden on this. The taste of the beer is also sweet with a subtle bitterness in the finish, flavors of caramel and toffee in there with a minimal bitterness. I was hoping to get more of the JD barrel flavors from this but wasn't able too. The mouthfeel is smooth, very dangerous because it's easy to drink. Overall it's a good brew, really happy I got to try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 16:16:40 | More by Knapp85

Azrael

5/5  rDev +12.4%

02-09-2013 23:20:27 | More by Azrael

pawpaw

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

02-07-2013 16:03:50 | More by pawpaw

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

01-31-2013 22:49:29 | More by callmemickey

mark99

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

01-25-2013 04:16:14 | More by mark99

MarkIntihar

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

01-23-2013 21:57:42 | More by MarkIntihar

mrbubbler

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

01-23-2013 19:29:33 | More by mrbubbler

domtronzero

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

01-21-2013 17:38:42 | More by domtronzero

jampics2

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

01-21-2013 14:55:45 | More by jampics2

miadw3

California

3.75/5  rDev -15.7%

01-20-2013 22:02:35 | More by miadw3

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.1%

01-12-2013 03:41:04 | More by spycow

Beerlistman

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

12-31-2012 02:38:48 | More by Beerlistman

jbuddle

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

12-04-2012 03:34:26 | More by jbuddle