Dominion Millennium Ale - Old Dominion Brewing Company

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer poured hazy deep orange amber. The head was off-white and huge lasting to lace the glass.

The aroma was malty and sweet with substantial hops in the background. The hops are American and citrusy and well aged. Also present is some alcohol.

The flavor was malty and bitter in well balanced complexity. Some alcohol is present in the flavor, but it does not lessen the drinkability.

The finish was dry and slightly bitter but well done. The body was full to medium full.

12 ounce bottle. Jan 27, 2003.

I poured this beer by mistake, I thought I was having a different Dominion beer and had meant to age this one a little further. No need!

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2004 01:28:11 | More by GCBrewingCo

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled Feb. 11, 2005...so this one is exactly 1.5 years old.

Comparing other barley wines to Bigfoot is too easy to do sometimes, Bigfoot being one of the most readily available barley wines in the U.S. But here the comparison is easy to make, as Millennium reminds very much of Sierra Nevada's concoction in terms of mega-maltiness, aggressive hops and syrupy thickness. And just like Bigoot, I suspect this ain't for everyone...

The pour offers a big fluffy light-tan head and a ruby/caramel/dirty orange color mix. The head diminished slowly while small bits of lace appeared in this over-too-soon experience.

Smells of caramel, honey and pine come out strongly at first, and upon warming you're treated to something resembling sherry or brandy. Fragrant and fresh, it's easy to predict that hops and malt are both here in abundance.

The flavor is thick with pine and balanced with a generous candylike maltiness. The hops aren't super-aggressive in the beginning, but upon warming they creep up like the attractive yet nasty bastard/flower we know and love. The mouthfeel is thick, something you can almost chew right through until the swallow. I'd love to try using this to make homemade syrup and pour it over pancakes. Why not?

Even the alcohol is well-hidden, considering it's at 11.4%. Ultimately this is one very drinkable and easily likeable barley wine. Nothing feels out of balance, and you get everything you could from this style with this fine offering.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2006 21:30:58 | More by Metalmonk

KarlHungus

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This beer pours an amber color with brown tints. The head is one inch in height, and recedes rather quickly into thin lacing the way a good barleywine does. The aroma is of caramel, oak, and dark fruit. The taste is oak, and molasses with a fruity finish. There is also a hot alcohol presents up front. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, which seems a bit on the lighter side for a barleywine. Overall, this is a nice beer that is easily enjoyable. However, there are better barleywines out there.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2008 21:30:41 | More by KarlHungus

maximum12

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to beandip for shipping me two bottles of this ale; tonight I dine on the survivor. My wife says she really enjoyed the first one. My first sip of Old Dominion.

Pours a clear, fruity, filtered form of red with plenty of high-octane carbonation. Oddly, the smell out of the bottle is very enticing, but once I settle down at the table, all that's left is a bit of malt sweetness & echo of ruddy fall fruits. Hmmm.

Millennium Ale brings the .357 full of caramel to the drive-by, whack! More caramel than a bucket full of scattered Halloween candy, which brings in the subsequent dark fruits...this tastes like a caramel apple bobbed out of a tub of gin alcohol. Alcohol, malts, combine for the next layer of punch, & even further down, there's a shot of mild hop bitterness to round things out. Despite the heavily advertised alcohol presence, scarily drinkable. I've already sucked down too much writing this review.

My wife was correct, as usual, this is a very good brew, tight-roping along near excellent. Hands-down the most drinkable straight-up English Barleywine I've ever. Downright dangerous. And now I'm really looking forward to the single bottle of the oaked version I just rec'd.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 02:11:00 | More by maximum12

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle that looks a lot thinner than I expected. Light orange color and it is quite cloudy. Nice aroma, candy and malts. Taste is watery barleywine, bitterness but no hint of the alcohol. This is decent but its just a tad thin for me. I'm always up for trying a new barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2008 04:42:14 | More by ArrogantB

srandycarter

California

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark brown and cola, not much head, thin ring left. Not much sudsy lacing left, but cascading bubbles at the fringe.

S - OH YEAH. Deep malt, cooked dark fruits. I am falling into this one...

T - Solid malt profile, infused with sweet fruit, then backed up by some good bitter.

M - Creamy, balanced, could have used a bit more carb.

D - For the style, would hurt myself probably.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2009 07:01:03 | More by srandycarter

grub

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

got this bottle in a trade with Aprilluvsbeer. thanks april!

pours a reddish copper colour with a very fine white head.

aroma is great. rich bready malt. bit of alcohol. some roast. dried fruit. slightly vinous. caramel. bit of honey.

taste is nice. great bready malt. moderate bitterness level. some residual sweetness. caramel. dates and raisins. hint of roastyness. not much alcohol in the flavour, but a little warmth on the way down. still, the 11.4% is hidden fairly well. well balanced.

mouthfeel is good. body is big, but not too big. slightly low carbonation. very fine, well integrated carbonation.

drinkability is pretty good. it's a tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2006 06:14:13 | More by grub

mdaschaf

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes

A: Pours an unimpressive brown color with a light tan colored head. Rather foamy with decent retention and very little lacing. A good bit of carbonation bubble release from the bottom.

S: Extremely bready, with figs and raisins. There is a slightly buttery aroma as well and some oranges.

T: Very sweet with a ton of caramel and toffee. There is some brown sugar and actually a good bit of pineapple, which surprised me.

M: Full bodied, filling and thick. Low carbonation, but fits well.

O: A pretty good English Barleywine. I find myself going back and forth between preferring English and American. A slow sipper, where one bottle is enough.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2011 19:05:08 | More by mdaschaf

Crosling

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reddish orange color, with a small head. Well aged, melded malt aroma, sherry hints, caramel and toffee, with nice aroma hops, but the malt shines through in the nose. Very sweet and sugary, with honey laden malts, sherry and a well aged malt flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2006 15:16:00 | More by Crosling

flexabull

California

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of jasonm. Thanks again!

Pours a bright amber color, with a faint white head.

Aromas are dusty, booze like, with some cereal grain notes.

Beer has fairly light flavors for a barley wine. Up front tastes of creamy malts, tea like, and with some mellow dark fruit flavors. Finish is thin, with a light crispness, and a hint of alcohol.

Mouthfeel is ok. But seems a bit weak for a barley wine.

Drinkability is pretty good. This beer is kind of boring and uninteresting for a barley wine that checks in at 11.4% ABV. But it has some decent mellow flavors, and is really easy to drink. My problem is, I can think of quite a few other beers in the style that I would much rather sip than this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2007 04:36:01 | More by flexabull

prototypic

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to csmiley for this treat!

Bottled on April 3, 2006

Dominion Millennium pours a dark copper color. It's quite hazy, and has strong crimson highlights when held to light. The down side is that there isn't a head. Just a few light bubbles rise to the top, but disappear with haste. Lacing was extremely faint and light. Eh. The color's nice.

The nose is quite good. Caramel and brown sugar notes are very prominent. The malt base is undoubtedly substantial. It has a blend of fruit scents that's quite nice. I'm getting a little apple, pear, and perhaps even a bit of orange. There's a light twist of dark fruit that's a nice touch. There are some light herbal scents on the tail, mostly tobacco and leather. Alcohol is blended extremely well. Barely noticeable.

The flavor is good. I'm actually waffling on the score. It kicks off with a nice mix of caramel and toffee. A little brown sugar is noted, but it's somewhat subtle. The diverse array of fruit flavors is nothing short of very impressive. It's a wonderful mix of orange, apple, pear, with a little punch of raisin and plum. As was expected, there's nothing going on in the hop department. Leather and tobacco add quality depth and complement the other flavors extremely well. Alcohol is noted, but is surprisingly tame for 11%+ abv. Finishes with sweet caramel and a tangy dark fruit flavor. I've made up my mind...this is excellent!

Millennium has a medium body that's thinner than expected. The light, soft bubbles almost give it a smooth feel, but it needs more body. Drinkability is good for such a big beer. It's damn tasty, and goes down easy. Yeah, it's strong, but is very seductive.

Dominion Millennium Ale is an impressive English Barleywine. This bottle is approaching five years old and is very refined. I haven't had it fresh so I can't say from experience. But, the flavors are very well integrated, in addition to the alcohol. I'm still not sure I buy that this is 11%+. It's not perfect. More body would really be a good thing, as well as a bump in aromatics. Oh yeah...no head at all??? Nevertheless, this is one tasty English Barleywine. Find a bottle. Thanks a ton, Chris!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 03:58:30 | More by prototypic

argock

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz brown bottle into a clear short-stemmed goblet

A: Deep amber hue with thin light tan head with small but notable amount of lace for an 11.4%er

S: Dark fruit, bread, toffee, and toasted malt smells.

T: Lots of malty toffee and caramel flavors up front with major honey sweetness zap your tongue to be followed by long-lasting slick earthy hop bitterness and pretty dry finish. Smooth and delicious without the coarse alcohol presence of many other barleywines.

M: Extraordinarily creamy and smooth in its sweetness.

D: Extremely drinkable despite its honey-sweetness -- would be a good choice for an introduction to barleywines.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2008 05:03:20 | More by argock

atsprings

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a nice hazy dark orange with a thin diminishing head that left some slight lacing. Aroma was loads of burnt caramel and toffee. The taste was also a load of burnt caramel and an abundance of malts with the hops keeping a decent balance in the background. The beer is slightly heavy with warming, slightly sticky alcohol. This was an enjoyable beer, one I'd certainly try again.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2008 02:25:34 | More by atsprings

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark copper body with a creamy tan head and sheath lacing down the glass. A thick malt ad yeast-like smell with some dark fruit in there. Medium-bodied yet smooth and creamy, definite caramel and toffee malts, as well as bread, roasted and some oakiness. This leads to a balanced beer that has a dry taste but finishes more smooth. Has fruits like apple and pear poking at the side but they seemed subdued, especially for a barleywine. The ABV is really hidden here and I could see myself mistakenly sessioning this. Definitely worth a try even if you're not a barleywine fan.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2009 13:35:40 | More by clayrock81

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue VI:

This was brewed in celebration of their 1,000th batch of beer and through its popularity, Millennium Ale is still brewed every year. Pretty hefty at 11-percent ABV with 100 IBUs to back the malt up and a touch of honey to boot. Tight and creamy off-white lacing forms from the semi-viscous amber liquid. The nose boasts an alcohol of a fresh sherry with clean creamy malt and fruity esters. Also in the aroma is a kiss of honey and a thin but noticeable layer of woody hop oil. Lush, creamy full body, smooth carbonation rolls slowly over the tongue and makes this beer easy to drink. Maltiness is very complex with suggestions of a loaf Portuguese sweet bread, rich caramel and honey-covered toasted biscuits. Hoppiness drops an earthy, woody, mild herbal and sufficiently bitter flavor, alcohol comes across clean with a slight peppery flavor. Both hops and alcohol pleasantly balance out the malt. Finishes semisweet though a linger from the hop sticks around for a while.

A killer brew we have here, no need to cellar as it's perfect to drink right now. Balanced and a bit too drinkable for its size. This one gets very high regards from us, it's worth seeking out and stocking up if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2010 13:47:27 | More by BeerAdvocate

Pencible

Virginia

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured a slightly hazy copper with a bit of white head. It smelled fairly tannic like orange hops, molasses malt, and alcohol. It tasted strongly of pine hops with some floral hops and caramel malt mixed in. It was slightly thick with a bit of carbonation, and had a very bitter lasting aftertaste with some alcohol warming. Overall this was a very strong beer, but its flavor was one-dimensional. It could have used more complexity or subtlety (oak barreling?) and a heavier body. I'd call this good but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2008 00:05:49 | More by Pencible

RBorsato

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

2004 Bottling: Orange/gold with a low/decent beige head and a low amount of carbonation which leaves some sticky lace. Primarily a malt aroma with just a bit of hop character at first -- gone quickly. Very malty fairly sweet with a little hoppiness but not balanced poorly. Full bodied rich and smooth with a big alcohol warming sensation.

Alcohol was very rough when very fresh...

1999 Bottling: Bronze, low ringed head, and low carbonation. All malt aroma and flavor; not overly bitter. Alcohol seems to have mellowed but not incrementally better overall.

Bottled: 02/19/04
Tasted: 02/11/05

Bottled: 12/09/99
Tasted: 07/07/06

($7.99 / 6-pack)

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2005 18:01:50 | More by RBorsato

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to my buddy chaz over at realbeer for this one. A 12 ounce bottle poured into a basic snifter glass. The ale appears a clear golden chestnut color with about a finger of tightly packed foam. Nose and flavor are of sweet brown sugar coated raisins and figs, a hint of vanilla spiked toffee, biscuits, and dark cherries. Creamy and smooth. The alcohol bite has faded considerably, making this quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2009 16:39:59 | More by ClockworkOrange

TastyTaste

Minnesota

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark, slightly hazed copper color. Not a whole lot of head on the pour.

Smell: Sweet toffee and alcohol, woody, with honey very evident.

Taste: Strong yet smooth, the honey sweetens and mellows the flavor. Woodiness and alcohol provides a nice background and finish.

Mouthfeel: Prickly alcohol, warming on the way down, smooth and creamy.

Drinkability: A nice sipper on a night where it is supposed to get down to the single digits, after working outside all day. Thanks to Px2Grafx for a nice beer from VA.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2005 03:22:49 | More by TastyTaste

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this one from Garthwaite I think. Thanks for the hookup!
I am sampling a chilled bottle in a snifter. Beer pours a clear chestnut color with a very small off white head. Aroma is very sweet with clover honey, caramel, toffee and some piney hops. First sip reveals a small prickly carbonation and a big syrupy texture. THe flavor is toffee, pears and plums and some piney hops. There is a significant alcohol bite, but at 11.4 this is expected. The alcohol is not dominant by any means but is present for sure. This is a big tasty beer not for the faint hearted. Gives a nice warming in my belly, but no burn on the way down. very well crafted!

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2004 15:44:26 | More by sulldaddy

lackenhauser

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A gorgeous deep orange color almost fades to a reddish hue.Nice carbonation level though no head to speak of.Wow-huge aroma of malt with hints of vanilla and caramel.In your face flavor-theres a huge alchohol presence in your face here-makes me think its a Stone product it's so up front.Great toffee/treacle presence.Lingering bourbon flavor.Nice big load of hops.Fairly smooth considering the obvious alchohol presence.A big beer on the palate.A huge barleywine that would seriously benefit from aging-too big at present to enjoy more then 2 in a session for this kid-seek and enjoy!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2004 05:29:04 | More by lackenhauser

blitheringidiot

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle date: 021606.

Pours with a light polished copper hue topped with a frothy whipped settled vanilla cap leaving some lace in the tulip, topping a few rising bubbles.

Scents of generic hard candy, some butterscotch Wurthers and red apple.

First swigs: Lolipop malt front with a gentle orange fruit flavor. Light in the flavor department overall. Lingering taffy finish.

Last swigs: Not even a year old and this seems to be falling apart.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2006 02:23:33 | More by blitheringidiot

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I've never considered this to be a fantastic brewery, but it is still a very good one. I truly miss it being in my local area.

I guess they have now lowered the ABV from 11.4% to 10.5%.

A: Crystal clear, slightly darker than amber color, with a fairly sizable 1.5 finger, off-white (reddish tinted?) head that stayed spotty and bubbly throughout the session.

S: It almost smelled like a fruity Jolly Rancher with honey. Sweet, sugary, and malty.

T: Rich, intensely sweet, and with a decent malt backbone buried beneath booze. I got most of the honey taste on the aftertaste.

M: Sugary, but not in an unpleasant way. The carbonation was low, yet appropriate. The shaving cream-like lacing was pretty insane.

D: Once I warmed up to the overwhelming sugar content, this actually became very drinkable to me. I'll say it again... I miss having the Old Dominion Brewery and Alehouse in my area!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 01:10:06 | More by Chaney

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle - bottled on 04/04/2007 - purchased from Greenwood Gourmet in Crozet, VA. Poured into a traditional American pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a thick, syrupy reddish brown with a thin slightly off-white head that fades particularly quickly.

Aroma: Hops are completely gone, but that's ok - brown sugar and toffee come through strong, sweet and a little smoky. A little too subdued, especially compared with what's about to come.

Taste: Whew. That's one hell of a malt bomb! Thick and syrupy caramel, toffee, butterscotch, toast, French toast or Belgian waffles, and sweet milky chocolate on one side of the scale. On the other, a nice but subdued bitterness (this is over a year old, after all) and some delicate and subtle piney hop notes. A great malt bill, and only the faintest hint of alcohol in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, syrupy, and even. A little oily. Slight prickle of alcohol in the finish.

Drinkability: Alcohol's up there but masterfully hidden, whether due to the fashion in which it was brewed or the melding of flavors with age - I barely noticed it.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2008 04:44:58 | More by CrellMoset

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Held to the light, it's a blood-red copper. Big creamy head, strongly resembling a classic vanilla milk shake, a real one, not McDonalds. Excellent lacing coats the glass. A cornacoppia of fruits in the aroma: apples, cherries, plums, a dark, tantalyzing mix. A big huge malty body rolls across the mouth, thckly coating everything in its path. Sweet but not cloying, I can taste both the honey and the English hops that are taming the sweetness and performing an incredible balancing act. A dollop of alcohol at the end. A very good barleywine, and still at a very tender age. If cellaring tames that alcoholic burst, it could be love.

Acquired in the Philadelphia Gathering Beer Exchange.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2003 21:22:45 | More by RonfromJersey