Old Salty Barleywine 2000
Heavyweight Brewing Co.

Old Salty Barleywine 2000Old Salty Barleywine 2000
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From:
Heavyweight Brewing Co.
 
New Jersey, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
9%
Score:
91
Avg:
4.13 | pDev: 10.9%
Reviews:
25
Ratings:
27
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 29, 2012
Added:
Apr 19, 2002
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
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Ratings by Sephiroth:
Photo of Sephiroth
Reviewed by Sephiroth from Indiana

4.12/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to blitheringidiot for the bottle. Pours murky brown with very little carbonation. Aroma has sherry notes, it is slightly oxidized.

Taste screams English Barleywine. Buttery sherry, figs, cherries, a hint of vanilla. Mouthfeel has a hint of carbonation. My only other experience with Old Salty was the 04, and this blows it away.
Apr 07, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.5 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 29, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by AleWatcher from Illinois

Nov 20, 2011
Photo of granger10
Reviewed by granger10 from Wisconsin

3.62/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Part of my Old Salty vertical thanks to Shapudding for the beer.

This version ranked lowest for me of all the versions. I think it has gone past its time. The 9% just didn't hold up. Rusty orange color with no head and little signs of carbonation. Aroma is sugary and plummy. A bit of alcohol esters in there as well. The flavors have definitely mellowed over time and I think they came apart a bit. A bit too fruit juice tasting to me. Finish is a bit weak. Doesn't have that vinous character I'm looking for. I'm being harsh here b/c I really did enjoy it but not as much as some other Barleywines I have tried. Still worth a shot and improves much as it warms but I think it's a little past it's prime.
Sep 30, 2005
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

4.77/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
From my vertical tasting of Old Salty - 2000 through 2004.
The labels by Bill Coleman look so nice all lined up that I almost want to keep them!

2000 - White waxed cap. There was some rust under it, and I did get a flake of wax into the goblet but that's OK.

Each year poured what I'd consider to be exactly the same color... a slightly hazy orange and crimson accented caramel body beneath a short head of creamy, slightly yellowish tan foam. The 2000 was slightly hazier than the other years, and did not hold its head as well. Additionally, it seems to have a softer carbonation to it.

The nose is beautifully malty with lots of soft caramel and cereal notes. It's not hoppy or fruity; nor is it intended to be.

It's supple in the mouth with a medium-full body and delicate, natural carbonation that's around 1.8 volumes in this example (oh so Brit!). Most are a bit crisper, with my 2002 sample clocking in at about 2.4 volumes. Perhaps the older bottle has lost some CO2 in storage... it is 5 years old, after all.

Flavorwise, it doesn't have the fruitiness that the other vintages do; nor the hops that are noticeable in the 2002. The alcohol, however, has become almost completely muted, and what's there is finely woven in amongst the malty sweetness. It finishes drying as the fat, slippery malt slowly receeds from the palate, leaving behind a smear of leafy hops and a dull residue of bitterness. Some fruitiness is found in the burp, but other than that the richness of the caramel-slathered maltiness covers it up.

As far as English-style barleywines go, this is about as authentic as you can get without it actually being from England. It's a beautiful, soft, rich, and satisfying sipper of a beer that's not so strong it'll knock you out in the first round (remember, this year is only 9% compared with the latter versions at around 11%). I'd easily put this on par with some of my cellared Thomas Hardy's, and I could kick myself for not saving more of these. But on the downside, I'm not so sure that this will hold up for too much longer; and there is something appealing about the greater intensity of the newer bottlings. If you've got it, find yourself some quiet time and enjoy it now! Magnificent!!!
Aug 04, 2005
Photo of blitheringidiot
Reviewed by blitheringidiot from Pennsylvania

4.07/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Label says pale floor malts, challanger hops. Here goes...
Slightly cloudy ruby orange. No, I mean, no! head..just a razor thin collar. If looks could kill...

Sniff test. With closed eyes my first impression is 100% pure unadulterated dark raisins followed by light scents of Kamikaze lemon & vodka. Fresca. Salivating like a Pavlovian dog. Lemony citris.

First swigs: "Plum syrup. Pancake batter dry with black cherry sweetness. High awl-kee-hawl detection, yet hidden like a jello shot that melted. Better than the best port I’ve ever had. Just a sliver of vinous merriment. Grape like the whole way thru. Like a rum or vodka & orange mixed drink, well shook smoothest, screwdriver taste.

Mouthfeel is a bit of mild sizzle with a punch in the hooch-ness.

Last swigs: In the proper frame of mind, a good drinker. Soda and sizzle. Sip sip. Wonder what this was like two years ago. Wow!

Beer is good. Happy Beering.

***RE-REVIEWED 06-20-2005 ***
Jun 21, 2005
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottle obtained via trade with Jetsbeer. Thanks for the opportunity...

Carefully poured in a Rapscallion glass, a few small bubbles here and there are all that the style and age has left at this juncture over the cloudy reddish amber brew, more or less as expected. Lacing is not present, but upon swirling there is slow sheeting of the liquid down the sides, which is interesting. Nose is dark fruitiness, plums perhaps, and an obvious alcohol presence. Taste is sweet malts, with a light fruit presence, and slight warming, but neither as much as the nose portended. Mouthfeel is a bit down, I always have trouble with super-low carbonated brews, even though I know this where it probably was due to be at this time. Drinkability however, all things considered, is excellent. An interesting brew at this point in its life, but I wonder if it will go anywhere better from here. I say drink now.
Apr 22, 2005
Photo of GeoffFromSJ
Reviewed by GeoffFromSJ from New Jersey

4.07/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bought this beer at the brewery on Halloween of '04. I'm enjoying this beer with some Maytag blue cheese.

This beer is past its prime and should be consumed as soon as possible. That said, this beer is holding up very, very well given its age.

I poured this beer into a tulip glass. No head was apparent at first, put it came on strong at the last second. Thin head, which then dissipates. For the age, not too bad.

The taste gets better as it warms. An aged barleywine is the best way to describe the beer. Everything has mellowed, but the beer remains flavorful. I'm not sure if it is due to the mellowing, but this is one drinkable barleywine.
Jan 18, 2005
Photo of meathookjones
Reviewed by meathookjones from Virginia

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This came in a 12 oz bottle with interesting artwork of a dog sailor. This poured out a murky reddish brown with a slow forming white bubbly head. The head disappears fairly quick leave a light scattering of bubbles and a few sticky cling-ons of lace. Aroma is malty sweet with nice notes of dark ripe fruits. It smell a bit syrupy and there is a hint of alcohol coming out as it warmed. The taste is similar to the aroma with sweet malts dominating. There are strong ripe fruit notes with some candy like sweetness. A slight hint of molasses and alcohol. This ends on a sweet note with a touch of warmth. Mouthfeel is about full with a sticky sweet feel to it. Drinkability is good too as the alcohol and sweetness both stay in check and blend for a quite pleasant taste. This stuff held up well for 4 years but I don’t know if it will continue to get better at this point. Thanks to slander for the chance to check this out.
Dec 07, 2004
Photo of Rastacouere
Reviewed by Rastacouere from Canada (QC)

3.23/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Similar pour to the 2002 with a very thin off-white head. Very subdued hops in that one, makes me think of an old ale with its rich fruitiness and caramel maltiness. Rich fruity, bold and hiding its alcohol well. Supports age like a charm obviously. Alright barleywine, but lacking some punch and a bit too sticky.
Nov 01, 2004
Photo of PartyHatjo
Reviewed by PartyHatjo from Ohio

4.32/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to the provider will be given once I fix my computer and have my list up with who gave me what...

Appearance: Deep copper color--more brown than your typical shiny Lincoln, though, with a very pale tan head. Lacing is slight.

Aroma: Strong caramel smell--blended with fruity esters to give the perception of caramel apples. Vanilla creeps into the background. Alcohol present and aids in bringing out the smell of pears and (maybe I'm crazy) cedar--maybe something brought about by hops, as the typical hop aromas aren't prominent

Taste: Very sweet, very fruity. Pears and apples abound in the flavor. Definitely caramel apples come to mind upon imbibing. Alcohol only serves to enhance flavor, and since it has blended so well with the malts it doesn't overwhelm like other (younger) barleywines I've had. Bitterness could be a bit more to balance the malty sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Heavy body is there and important for a brew of this abv. Carbonation is typical for the style.

Drinkability: I only wish I had more, I'll definitely be getting a couple bottles when each new Old Salty comes out.
Aug 02, 2004
Photo of twilight
Reviewed by twilight from Germany

4.12/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This tastes like sherry. Well, without the standard sherry alcohol aftertaste, but I stil like it. The color is what I would describe as 'garnet,' even though I don't really use that word. It's like a cross between a dark orange with hints of red and brown.The smell is all malt, leaning over towards a caramel side that says, 'hey, I'm all sweetness. The taste is sweet, with very little hop bitterness coming through and a finish that is almost like pears in syrup, but more like, well, sherry. Sweet, sort of spicy. There's little to no carbonation, but, man, is it good.
May 31, 2004
Photo of JMH_
Reviewed by JMH_ from New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
the first of the vintage salty pack. i decided to drink 'em oldest to newest. why? i don't know. the 2000 pours a brownish amber colour with any head that formed dissolving immediately to almost nothing, but leaving a minor sticky effect on the glass. smells of butter, earth, grape, plum (and other fruits) alcohol and malt. the taste is an almost chewy malt-fest, with an ever so slight (and i mean as slight as possible) hop flavouring in the back. alcohol flavour is present throughout, providing a nice warming effect. finishes nice and dry. pretty good. i'd say it aged nicely, but may have been just a tad past what i would consider it's prime. onto the 2001...
Jan 30, 2004
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

3.92/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: a murky, ripe orange color, with minimal head.
Aroma, powerfully sweet, rich, possessing an ancient feel, something musty, yet magical, fruit is abundant, peach, cherry, orange, with a burning taste of alcohol peeping out, as well.
Taste: sticky-sweet on the palate, canyish, a little, but mostly fruity, malts are large, hops minor. Swampy feel, but still pleasant, tasty, with an increasing kick. Like spiced apple soup. Very juicy, with a nicely sweet slip on the tongue with every sip, and a late arrival of alcohol.
An interesting take on the barleywine style, and an unexpected twist that I quite liked. Good Ol' Salty, I'd like to get to know you better!
Jan 24, 2004
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Reviewed by nomad from Kansas

4.39/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
A murky amber color, this beer showed very little action despite a vigorous pour. Not unusual for an aged big beer, so no worry.

Scents were shy to show, but opend to alcohol-tinged esters, a big buttery presence, toffee, and thin, spiky wine-like elements. Generally described as fruity, this smelled like a fresh honey-toned loaf of bread.

Tasted of a sweet pure barleywine through and through: wonderful British-style malts with Challenger hops, twisted and turned by aging and a high original gravity. Good lord thats good. Buttery in a good way, this finish is long of hops grated down. Soft as your lover’s back mouthfeel, some would call it syrupy I guess but I like it that way.

An ole barleywine through and through.
Dec 19, 2003
Photo of aracauna
Reviewed by aracauna from Georgia

3.62/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is heavily carbonated. It foamed up a bit when opened. It didn't foam over, but did foam about 2/3 of an inch up the neck. It's a nice clear color that's too red for amber and too orange for ruby. Nice fruity nose. There's a bit of banana, bit of spice and there is a definite alcoholic note. The flavor is lacking, unfortunately. It needs more hop bitterness to balance out the sweetness. The mouthfeel is a bit fuzzy from the carbonation but far from thin.
Dec 18, 2003
Photo of pbrian
Reviewed by pbrian from Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Vigorous pour produced a loose beige head atop a slightly cloudy amber body. Strong vinous malty aroma with earthy hops and wiffs of alcohol. Deep malty, winey flavor with subtle cherry notes and a hint of English hops. Borders on whisky-ish. Full bodied up front yet finishes quick and drier, almost too quick. The alcohol is proud to make itself known, though not entirely in a bad way. gets a bit thinner as it warms. Overall, a solid, smooth English style barleywine.
Dec 02, 2003
Photo of beerluvr
Reviewed by beerluvr from Canada (ON)

4.57/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This pours with a minimal yet long-lived head of white foam, settling out over lightly hazed deep amber liquid. The nose is an intense perfume of sweet malt and some light honey mixed with a touch of dark fruitiness and very very slight oxidation. The taste is yet more malt sweetness with a dryish, winey note, faded yet still bitter hoppiness, and some alcohol heat felt in the swallow. Finishes extremely long and warming, with the maltiness slowly changing to fruitiness and honey notes followed by glorious alcohol notes as it flows downward. Time has mellowed this beer wonderfully, but it still packs a wallop!
Nov 30, 2003
Photo of UncleJimbo
Reviewed by UncleJimbo from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampled from a wooden pin cask at The Blind Tiger. 2000 Vintage.

This barleywine poured a cloudy, red-amber color with no foam. The smell was mild malt with some caramel and a hint of fruit. The taste was slightly sweet malt with some caramel and a vinous flavor, and very low hop presence. The mouthfeel was smooth, mellow, and clean with medium body and zero carbonation. This was a very nice and enjoyable barleywine.
Jul 18, 2003
Photo of ZAP
Reviewed by ZAP from Minnesota

4.69/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Now this is my kind of Barley Wine....Sticky...sweet...and delightful...I appreciate the raw bitterness of say an Old Crusty, but barley wines like this and Old Ho are my favorites....

Pours a murky light brown with a nice tan head and carbonation bubbles evident...Excellent malty aroma...a lot of things in the aroma including caramel....dark fruits (plums/burgandy cherries),vanilla, and maple..I can't believe how easy drinking this is for a Barley Wine....a guy could get in trouble drinking a few of these...body is on the lower end of the thick category...mouthfeel is juiced up with the carbonation which is good....I think it helps keep the sweetness from becoming overbearing...Interestingly enough on the long finish there is twang of leafy hops....the alcohol is nowhere to be found on the taste....

A top of the line BW that rates as one of the best I've ever tried...It's splitting hairs between this and Old Ho in my opinion and I'll be curious to see how the ratings shake out...
May 21, 2003
Old Salty Barleywine 2000 from Heavyweight Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 27 ratings