Arctic Devil Barley Wine - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From notes.

The beer itself is a full brown color, although it is somewhat transparent. A small off-white head fades to a ring and a swirl of a thin film on top.

The aroma has a bit of ethyl alcohol that is noticeable right away. Brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and a bit of earthy spice come into the nose.

Arctic Devil is definitely sweet up front, but ends up being nicely balanced. Brown sugar is the most prominent sweet flavor. Sweet caramel is also noticeable, and there is some full grainy notes. A bit of peat and spice come in the middle, with a light general bitterness that accompanies a bit of an alcohol presence at the end.

Surprisingly, this has kind of a light body for the style and feels a little watery. The carbonation is on the light side and is a little creamy.

This clearly does not drink like 13.4%, but there is an ethyl alcohol presence that is a bit unappealing at this point. Some age might improve this. The light mouthfeel will most likely not change.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 18:37:13 | More by KickInTheChalice

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-22-2013 01:14:25 | More by mikeincharleston

campfirebrew

New York

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-20-2013 02:28:46 | More by campfirebrew

redliner8

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-19-2013 02:58:18 | More by redliner8

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: Pitch black; exactly like an RIS. No head at all, but there is lacing on the glass as I drink.

S: Black cherries, brown sugar, peaches, pineapple, raisins, brown sugar, vanilla, butterscotch

T: Butterscotch, brown sugar, vanilla. Raisins, molasses, and butter.

M: Thick & chewy and thick & chewy. Foam-a-licious. Perfect!

O: God this is delicious! Please come to PA!

thanks Beership!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:57:55 | More by gkatsoris

gpawned

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

05-17-2013 05:13:31 | More by gpawned

notchucknorris

California

4.18/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2013 Vintage. Got 2 bottles of this, so I wanted to try one fresh.

A: Pours a really dark brown color, nearly the color of a stout. A one finger khaki colored head fades quickly, leaving a clear view of the ominous looking beer.

S: At first, this smells like nothing but oak. But the more I let it open up, the more flavors started popping to the surface. Brown sugar, toffee, leather, tobacco and a pretty hearty smack of booze. Hints of banana bread and raisin as well. The oak fades a bit, but it's still pretty prominent.

T: Even as it warms, the oak comes through a lot more than I'd like, holding back the other flavors in here. Brown sugar and caramel come through along with a pretty big hit of booze. Some toffee, a slight hint of bourbon, and some more buttery oak on the finish. Definitely way too oak forward for me right now, but I can't wait to revisit this in a year or so.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 02:11:40 | More by notchucknorris

cvm4

Mississippi

4.46/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a murky brown, borderline faint black. Little to no head, just a brown ring of carbonation around the glass. For some reason, beers like this are either a let down or really good.

S - Brown sugar, vanilla, definite bourbon characteristics, oak and burnt caramel.

T - Sweet caramel and dark fruits that blends into vanilla and brown sugar and transforms into a bourbon ending.

M - Full bodied, low carbonation. Somewhat sweet finish that can be off putting. But, overall very smooth and the abv kept in check.

O - Rich, chewy, flavorful, leaves you wanting more... Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 01:07:31 | More by cvm4

sharpski

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-11-2013 20:28:36 | More by sharpski

weaksauce

Ohio

4/5  rDev -8.9%

05-11-2013 18:39:41 | More by weaksauce

millelacsmark

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

05-09-2013 19:37:48 | More by millelacsmark

scottfrie

California

4.33/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

4.5/4.0/4.5/4.25/4.25

12oz bottle into snifter. 2011 vintage.

A: Pours a deep caramel color with two fingers of fine, soft looking, light khaki head that slowly faded into a fuzzy film leaving wisps of spotty lace down the glass.
S: Toffee, leather, fruity hops, brown sugar, dark fruit, tobacco, a hint of pepper, woody oak and whiskey.
T: Tobacco, leather, sweet dark fruits, fruity and leafy hops, caramel, peppery barrel and earthy hops. Mild chocolate and solid bitterness in the finish, mellow whiskey and oak in the aftertaste.
M: Medium-thick body, velvety carbonation, rich spicy bitter sweet mouthfeel. Touch slick and greasy.
O: Amazing English Barleywine; one of the best I've had. Not overly sweet. Perfect barrel.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 01:03:05 | More by scottfrie

gueuzegossage

California

3.75/5  rDev -14.6%

05-07-2013 05:06:58 | More by gueuzegossage

mdaschaf

Washington

3.71/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

2011 Vintage. Review from notes.

A: Pours a brown color with a small tan head on top that quickly reduces leaving a thin ring on top. Minimal lacing.

S: Sort of vegetal, a little caramel and and brown sugar. Some dark fruit mixed in.

T: The flavor is a bit better than the aroma, but was hoping for more. Others who had previously had it said it had certainly fallen off. Caramel and toffee with some brown sugar with a bit of the vegetalness coming back.

M: Medium to full bodied with low carbonation.

O: Really had high hopes, might have just had a bad bottle, or one that might have been a little too old? Will hopefully have this one again and will rereview if needed.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 21:57:25 | More by mdaschaf

Casterbridge

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +8.2%

05-05-2013 05:08:21 | More by Casterbridge

Pete27lax

New York

5/5  rDev +13.9%

05-01-2013 15:04:55 | More by Pete27lax

AgentMunky

Alabama

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

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a St. Bernardus goblet.

A: Dark red-brown with slight head and nice lacing.

S: Rich grapes and deep booze. Smoke-sweet,

T: Holy bejeezus this is amazing. Rich, spicy, wine-dark meat-sweet, bitter herbs, long, hoppy, beautiful finish.

M: Nice and well.

O: Oh wow...this is great. Recommended without reservation.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 08:57:17 | More by AgentMunky

ngeunit1

California

4.44/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark red-brown with a finger of frothy khaki colored head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet caramel and caramelized malts, brown sugar, oak, vanilla, whiskey, dark fruits, and some booze.

T - Sweet caramel and caramelized malts, oak, vanilla, whiskey, brown sugar, dark fruits, toasted coconut, and some booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a warming and sweet finish.

D - Fantastic barrel aged barley wine. Great overall balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 06:38:50 | More by ngeunit1

Zaphog

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

04-29-2013 17:54:21 | More by Zaphog

baybum

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

04-29-2013 16:49:11 | More by baybum

HopsMatt

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

04-28-2013 04:37:40 | More by HopsMatt

Sethzilla

Texas

4/5  rDev -8.9%

04-23-2013 18:54:58 | More by Sethzilla

mtrog313

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +2.5%

04-21-2013 14:40:01 | More by mtrog313

kennethkearns

New York

4.25/5  rDev -3.2%

04-21-2013 03:00:12 | More by kennethkearns

mahak213

New York

4.48/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2013 Arctic Devil, into a Goose Island snifter-

Appearance- Clear, very dark amber with a light tan head that recedes quickly.

Smell- Brown sugar and sweet booze with a light vanilla and oak presence.

Taste- Starts off with sweet toffee and dark fruits, like a fig dredged in brown sugar, then moves on to vanilla and bourbon. Has a really nice balance between sweet and bitter, and the alcohol presence is integrated perfectly.

Mouthfeel- Medium body, finished sticky and sweet.

Overall- Very impressive beer from Midnight Sun, this and Berserker should surely be on your wants list.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:03:16 | More by mahak213