Insanity - Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

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BA SCORE
93
exceptional
-
1,328 Ratings

THE BROS
91
exceptional
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rAvg: 4.18
pDev: 11.48%
Reviews: 780
Hads: 548

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Brewed by:
Weyerbacher Brewing Co.

Pennsylvania, United States

Style | ABV
English Barleywine | 11.10% ABV

Availability: Rotating. bottle (734), on-tap (43), growler (3).

Notes:
A bourbon barrel-aged English-style Barleywine.

View: Beers (40) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by Gyle41386:

Gyle41386

South Carolina

4.47/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle, courtesy of Desaparecido, poured into a snifter. Big thanks to Edgar for sending this one my way. Insanity may be available locally, but not in singles, and I had literally no interest in buying a 4 pack.

Having not yet tried Blithering Idiot, I'm not quite sure what to expect from Insanity. I remember Old Heathen and Heresy being quite similar, but that wouldn't make a difference since I haven't had the standard barleywine. That said, I remember hearing/reading rave reviews from someone whose beer opinion I trust, though I can't remember who.

I have no idea how to describe the color of this beer...it sort of reminds me of that odd brownish color you get when you mix like 35 different crayons/markers. It's got all kinds of dark red, orange, amber, brown, etc etc. Red's the dominant color, so let's go with that. About a finger's width of creamy light tan foam. The head retains very well, thanks in large part to the seemingly endless supply of bubbles that rise to it. There's some spotty lacing attached to the glass.

The nose is dominated initially by bourbon. Beneath the sweet heat lie more sweet scents, like vanilla, sugar, caramel, toffee, and dark fruits. A light, woody oak note rounds out a rather busy aroma.

I can't remember having a beer with such a big bourbon influence that wasn't boozy or hot. The bourbon/alcohol presence is certainly present, but without being overdone. That's very refreshing, as I've tasted far too many "big" beers that really disappointed me by being harshly alcoholic. So, we're already off to a good start here.

Now, it's impossible to open up a bourbon barrel aged English barleywine and not expect it to be sweet. Insanity certainly is sweet, but not insanely sweet. Dark fruits like figs and plums, along with the vanilla and sugar (which actually tastes a bit like coconut) and caramel/toffee. Lots of sweetness, but with a really nice, balancing woody and lightly bitter finish. This is a really, really nicely crafted beer.

This is a big-bodied beer, medium-full (if not full) body with very, very light carbonation. Very smooth and slick, without being syrupy. The texture combined with the lack of heat (aside from a slight warming in the throat) make Insanity a dangerously easy drinker. I can see this being one of those beers you keep ordering pints of at your favorite beer bar without slowing down, then suddenly can't stand up. It's intense without being menacing. An absolute joy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2010 01:35:58 | More by Gyle41386

More User Reviews:

mookihouse

California

4/5 rDev -4.3%

05-20-2013 18:28:08 | More by mookihouse

lauries444

New Jersey

3/5 rDev -28.2%

05-20-2013 02:02:28 | More by lauries444

Apellonious

North Carolina

4.1/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle - 4 pack

A - ruby red with brown undertones. Little to no head on the pour. Very thin lace.

S - dark fruit, fig, sugary malt. Slight waft of bourbon.

T - brown sugar, bourbon, dark fruits. Hints of banana and vanilla.

M - thick, moderately sticky, coats the back of the tongue and throat. Carbonation is light.

O - great offering. This is my first 'barrel aged' barleywine, so nothing really to compare it to, though reminds me of a Belgian ale, or maybe Ol Curmudgeon. Something good comes out of PA.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 22:34:14 | More by Apellonious

drgonzo2k2

California

4/5 rDev -4.3%

05-19-2013 16:52:52 | More by drgonzo2k2

Stalgondo

Georgia

4.75/5 rDev +13.6%

05-19-2013 16:30:53 | More by Stalgondo

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.75/5 rDev +13.6%

05-18-2013 22:05:09 | More by Photekut

sierrahopdevil05

Pennsylvania

4.75/5 rDev +13.6%

05-18-2013 15:42:01 | More by sierrahopdevil05

robbrandes

Oregon

4.5/5 rDev +7.7%

05-17-2013 03:38:45 | More by robbrandes

KeyWestGator

Florida

4/5 rDev -4.3%

05-16-2013 11:38:50 | More by KeyWestGator

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4.25/5 rDev +1.7%

05-16-2013 03:49:25 | More by Casey3236

bconsidine

Maryland

4.25/5 rDev +1.7%

05-14-2013 17:35:16 | More by bconsidine

jason_nwx

Oregon

5/5 rDev +19.6%

05-14-2013 14:53:30 | More by jason_nwx

azdback

Arizona

4.25/5 rDev +1.7%

05-14-2013 05:04:26 | More by azdback

larryi86

Delaware

4.41/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle pouted into a snifter

A- A hazy ruby red with a two finger off-white head.

S- Toffee, bourbon, cherries, caramel malts, oak, some vanilla.

T- Raisins, toffee, bourbon, oak, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel malts, light hoppiness, well balanced.

M- Smooth, medium body, slightly chewy.

O- A great barrel aged barleywine. Between this and Sucaba I am changing how I feel about barleywines. This is not as good as Sucada, but it is a great easy to find and cheap replacement.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:43:16 | More by larryi86