Brewers Droop Barleywine - Drake's Brewing Co.

lhaqq

California

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured into a 1/2 pint glass. No head and a rich dark brown and ruby body.
S: Dark fruits and dark malts.
T: Caramelized malts, thick cream. Some dark fruits and a little bit of spiciness at the end.
M: Light while still maintaining a lot of flavor.
D: No noticeable alcohol or heaviness in the flavor or mouthfeel. Probably the easiest to drink barleywine I've had in awhile.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2009 00:04:56 | More by lhaqq

t0rin0

California

4/5  rDev +3.1%

09-22-2012 20:51:03 | More by t0rin0

BigMcLargeHuge

Arizona

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

Sampled at Toronado 2009 Barleywine Festival.
Pours clear amber with off white head. The aroma consists of dark fruit from figs dates mixing with sweet lightly roasty malt creating a bit of dryness. I also get a little bit of chemical alcohol on a big draw that isn't distracting. The taste begins with dark fruit coming from figs, prunes, dates and maybe a little bit of red vine licorice. It then leans toward malty sweetness toward midway joining what seems like a note of wood. It comes across as a well balance beer aided by mild malt astringency into the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2009 22:33:27 | More by BigMcLargeHuge

Arbitrator

California

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Half-pint had on-tap at Barclay's. Seems to be Drake's newest barleywine, although no mention of it is made on their website. I don't know if this is a limited-edition beer or not.

A: A dark mahogany color with copper highlights. Moderate head that receded into a ring and left lacing down the glass.

S: Elements of oak, leather, cherries, grapes, and apple. Very organic and sweet, with a small alcohol component.

T: The initial taste is of a strong brandy, giving way to the wood and grapes in the mid-taste. The finish includes elements of caramel and a slightly hoppy flavor. The aftertaste has a strong alcohol heat, which caused me to deduct from the score. Very complex and pleasing otherwise.

M: Medium to full-bodied, although the carbonation was subdued. Very sticky feel that resulted in my being able to taste the beer for an hour afterward.

D: I love the taste. Its only issue is that the alcohol heat makes it impossible to be sessionable. I could have maybe a pint of this before I had to move on to something else. Still, I would look forward to that pint, and I hope to have it again soon. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2009 09:12:51 | More by Arbitrator