Alaskan Barley Wine (Pilot Series) - Alaskan Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark with nice bubbly head. Great for a young barleywine, with fruit, citrus and lots of barley in the aroma, and lots of barley, some toast, and citrus in the taste. Above-average mouthfeel.Rich, caramel secondary support. Good satisfying aftertaste.

Had lateral 2.5 years later, and 2009 was superior to 2008, and that was my upgrade.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2008 02:56:38 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2007 vintage. Black cherry with burnt orange accents. Garnet and topaz works as well, since the beer has a gemstone-like glow with sunshine behind the glass. The impressive looking crown resembles brown sugar mousse. Given the double-digit ABV, it's incredibly persistent and is doing a fantastic job laying down lace.

The nose is primarily caramel malty, with a good bit of fruity hoppiness. There must have been quite a few little green cones added initially for this big ale to still smell like this after two years in the bottle. Maybe the brewery knows what it's talking about when they say that it ages well 'for several years'.

Alaskan Barley Wine has, indeed, aged well. Some beer of this style has lost a significant amount at this point in its lifespan. This one has held on admirably, both from a flavor and a mouthfeel standpoint. Generous amounts of both malt and hops have to be the reason why. In fact, this 2007 should be able to go another year (at least) with no trouble at all.

Caramel-malted American barleywines are my favorites and seem to age much better than their pale-malted counterparts. The flavor profile is suprisingly complex and includes steely caramel-toffee, dark chocolate, a brandy-like fruitiness, bitter tea leaves and orange peel. The alcohol adds a tremendous amount of power, while staying well short of boozy.

This is the biggest ABC beer in terms of ABV. It's also, by a long shot, the biggest in terms of mouthfeel. It's easily medium-full, is molten glassy smooth and has a lingering sappy stickiness. That's what a mega-ton of malt sugars and perfect carbonation will get you.

Even though Alaskan Barley Wine Ale isn't as good as Midnight Sun Arctic Devil, nothing not named Old Ruffian is either. This is a fantastic big beer that ages with the best of them. If you have the opportunity, buy multiple bottles. That's what I plan to do.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2009 21:56:51 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The pour was very nice, rich with a good dark caramel color and lots of silky and foamy white lace around the top. Nice touches of wispy side glass lace and just the slightest bit of side glass lace around the edges.

The aroma was very malty, which surprised me a bit in the beginning, but I really kind of learned to enjoy it. Some light fruit notes sitting there in the back with a decent amount of grain as well. Hints of hops dancing around, more pine resin like then anything else. The flavor was a bit odd, but I have to admit still more then decent. Nice notes of piney hops, dark resin, fruit with a leaning toward figs and some nice bready malts. As it warmed some hints of spices coming through now as well, almost peppery at the finish. Decent medium Mouthfeel and really nice carbonation were a good side distraction, and a smooth sipper for the percentage is always a welcome sight.

Overall have to say this one was not bad at all, really a tight little barley wine here. Almost an old ale, but not quite, I could see myself having this one again in the near future.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2011 15:09:57 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 vintage generously shared by bmanning. Served in a Cantillon tulip.

Pours a reddish-amber with a thin white head that sticks around for a bit before fading into a thin collar. A few spots of lacing on the edge of the glass. The nose exhibits a great deal of fruity complexity along with some caramel, light booze, and brown sugar. The taste is quite captivating, with layers of brown sugar and fruits intermingling. Good light cherry presence and a bit of a date character as well. Mouthfeel is really, really rich and creamy with a good slightly-boozy finish. Really drinkable. This has aged gracefully.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 20:50:04 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage.

Pours a murky reddish iced tea color with a 2 inch beige head that fades to a small cap. Nice distinct rings of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smells of dark fruits, bready malt, and citrus zest. Taste is of sweet bready malt, brown sugar/caramel, and fresh citrus zest/pine. Mild hop bitterness on the palate after each sip quickly dissipates. A lower level of carbonation makes for a smooth and sticky mouthfeel. A bit of alcohol warmth in the back of the throat with each sip. Overall, this is a good barleywine that I can only imagine will get better with age. I have another one of these aging in my cellar and I am curious to see how this beer develops in a few years.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 03:47:32 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

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

2007 version; tasted at Brouwer's Barleywine Fest 2009

Appearance: Arrives with a clear medium amber color and a foamy head that retains and laces nicely

Smell: Good barleywine aromatics of caramel and citrus

Taste: Grapefruity from the get-go, with caramel and tobacco underneath; after the swallow, the flavors come together in an extraordinarily balanced fashion

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: This beer won first place in the tasting and it is easy to see why; great citrus flavor and nicely balanced by the sweet malt

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2009 01:03:59 | More by brentk56

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear, dark reddish-brown body with a thin, wispy, off-white head.

Smell: Fruity, dark caramel aroma with notes of sap-covered wood and spice.

Taste: Blend of dark fruits (plums, raisins) and dark caramel with a moderate amount of sweetness. Touch of wood and yeasty spiciness. Restrained hop bitterness. There's some brash booziness in the finish, but nothing a little time in the cellar can't cure.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Warming alcohol presence.

Drinkability: A fine barleywine at the moment that should age quite nicely and only improve with time away in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2008 18:35:04 | More by ChainGangGuy

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a deep coper color ale with a medium foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of light citrus hops with some sweet malt. Taste is also dominated by sweet malt with some light dry fruit and a dry bitter and citrusy finish courtesy of some West Coast hops. Body was about average for the style with some good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Very well made and even though I prefer my barleywine with some limited hops I thought this example was very well balanced and it is definitively one that I would like to try again.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2009 02:43:38 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2009 bottle.Poured into an impy pint glass a cherry infused bronse with a large flufy off white head,it really took its time settling.Fruit cake malt aromas,dark fruit with slight nuttiness,quite toasty.Malt driven cakey flavors,some dark fruit and sweetish dough flavors hide the alcohol in check pretty well.Its chewey but the alcohol is not a monster,a real nice sipper tonight.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 00:57:23 | More by oberon

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.48/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Alaskan Barleywine, 10.7% ABV. Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska.

Dense, opaque, dark plum/ magenta hue, off-white cappucino-like head, leaving lace.

Aroma: Beautiful. Perfect. Lush, rich malt, overtones of dark fruit, cherries, blackberries, ripe plum. Cognac and port wine. Dark and dense, sweet and strong. Right on.

Taste: more of that and then some. Bursting at the seams and spilling over with malty goodness, oozing rich fruit and a tidy hop buzz. Plenty of alcohol phenols brimming over. There's some balance, but plenty of bombast, which is just want I look for in a barley-wine. Starts out big and burly, plump with deep dark fruit, then mellows out, but never without a fierce alcoholic kick. Boom, boom, boom, it comes a knocking'.

This one I call yum. One of the better put-together barleywines I've had in a while. Color me impressed.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 03:14:52 | More by feloniousmonk

Mora2000

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 Vintage.

Pours a dark brown color with a cream colored head. The beer pours very clear. A very sweet smelling beer with some piney hops in the aroma as well. Flavor is a mix of dark fruit with some hops and quite a bit of alcohol warming. A big beer that is definitely a sipper. Very drinkable for a beer of its strength, but not something you could have more than one of.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2009 02:17:40 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 Edition

A - Poured a clear, burgundy color with golden highlights. It had a sudsy, foamy head of off-white, bubbles. Good retention and some sticky lace.

S - It smelled of floral notes, a touch of pine and rich maltiness.

T - Delicious roasted maltiness with toffee and caramel. There was subtle piney bitterness that added balance to a sweet brew. It was not excessively sweet like some barleywines can be.

M - Thick and a little chewy with a big body. It finishes dry with an alcohol warmth.

O - This is a very good barleywine. A treat to have on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 00:19:10 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.15/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2008 release acquired from fogdog courtesy of Secret Bunny ’09 so a big Thank You goes out to him. Poured from a 22oz bottle into a snifter glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a short beige head that fades quickly and leaves a thin on the glass.

S: The aroma contains brown sugar, dark fruit, caramelized malts and a good amount of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, brown sugar and dark fruit. Then a hearty malt character comes in along with a mild alcohol sting considering the 10.40% ABV. The hops presence is subdued but complementary and provides a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth, a little crisp and a bit viscous, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down dangerously easy, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a very nice strong sipper beer worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 02:22:09 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

My last review for at least a month, moving..

2008 batch pours chestnut with a finger of tan fluffy head. Above average head retention & lacing

S: Dark fruit & a bit of booze & raisins, fades a bit as this warms

T: Rich toffee, dryness, & leafy hops up front. Some cakeyness & caramel as this warms, plus figs & a bit of booze warmth. Finishes dry, with a mix of toffee, a hint of smokey booze, almost gsve this a 5.0

MF: Pretty rich, low, but noticeable carbonation. superb balance

Drinks really easy for the style & abv, does skews a bit towards the English style IMO. Great barley wine, won't satisfy most hopheads I'm guessing...

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2009 05:06:02 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 bottle; Sampled December 2009
A vigorous pour produces an almost four-finger thick, densely creamy, amber-tinged, tan colored head that leaves lots of lacing on the sides of my 25cl tulip glass. The beer is a burnt amber hue that shows a brilliantly clear, pretty ruby color. The aroma smells of richly caramelized grain, and herbal hops that mix together in a heady, concentrated mix of aromas. Candied grapefruit zest, caramel-drizzled whole grain bread, brandy soaked raisins, brown sugar and current jam and some tobacco and leather notes that couple with the herbal hop notes.

Bitter from ample hops as it first hits my tongue, but soon enough a thick, rich malt sweetness engulfs the palate washing away much of the bitterness. The malt sweetness doesn't completely dominate the bitterness as there is just enough to temper the malt and keep it from becoming overly cloying. There is a lingering, herbal, almost menthol note as well as a firm bitterness. The malt sweetness accentuates flavors of candied citrus peel, concentrated red currants, as well as toasted, toothsome, whole grain malt flavors. As the beer warms more toasted grain notes come through. There is a touch of caramelized / lightly toasted marshmallow flavor here that is quite nice without being too sweet. Thick and chewy, but without being cloying

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2010 16:31:28 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.63/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

22 oz. bomber, 2008 Vintage,

A: Pours brown with a medium off-white head. Average head retention. Some lacing.

S: Notes of fig and dark fruit, sweet smelling. Burst of piney hops.

T: Definitely on sweet side of ABA's, the knockdown jolt of hops is not really there. Big malt notes, molasses, prune, fermented cane sugar. Hops are evident, and give a passing balance to the malt. Ethyl alcohol present, maybe a little too much so, but this is a barleywine.

M: Quite good, full-bodied and rich. Ethanol is evident, smooth, solventy feel.

D: An interesting barleywine from Alaskan. Needs a bit of age on it right now. Not entirely what I was expecting. 22 oz. is a lot to drink of this style, I'd probably buy it again if I could get 12. Worth a shot if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2009 17:43:47 | More by Halcyondays

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Right off the bat this hits me as a wonderfully balanced (for the style) American barleywine. The malt is big and the hops are a little bigger, but nothings going to stop me from sipping.

It's a clear, light red, with a sparse lacing. The aroma is of rich, candy malt with a dash of fruity hops. The flavor is all malt immediately with sweet cherries and licorice. The hops pour right it, with a cutting (but not too harsh) pine and citrus rind edge that coats your mouth and really lingers. There's also a hint of alcohol, but all things considered, it's not bad.

Overall, a great barleywine, I'd love to try this head to head with Bigfoot.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2008 00:32:16 | More by tempest

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2011

Nice Barleywine. Good tones of sweet malts that aren't overdoing it. Does seem a little fresh and could use some age to mellow out the slight hot tone (and I do say slight). But I feel like that is applicable to so many barleywines since they are always released so soon after brewing. Easy to drink. I like it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 08:27:14 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2007 vintage

Poured a reddish brown with with a small white ehad and good carbonation. Nose is alcohol, chocolate and fruit evident. Taste is also complex with deep malt flavors of fig, chocolate, leather, smoke and other dark ripened fruits. Pretty good barleywine all around.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2009 20:03:15 | More by barleywinefiend

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a snifter)
Noticed when I popped it open it is a 2008.
A- This beer has a dense dark brown body with a thin ring of light tan head and a soft carbonation of tiny bubbles that trail to the surface.

S- This beer has notes of cream and caramel with a dry buttery note that grows a bit and some dry toffee note that leads to an earthy phenolic finish.

T- The rich caramel sweetness has some dry grainy flavors underneath with a soft pine hop and alcohol note in the finish. There is a nice bitter pungent hops that linger a bit in the finish.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with a warm soft alcohol heat.

D- The nice caramel malt sweetness is supported by the alcohol and hop finish that really dries out this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 21:01:55 | More by rhoadsrage

Wasatch

Utah

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to brdc for this brew.

Poured into a tulip a nice dark ruby red color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy tannish head, some nice sticky lacing follows. The nose is malty/hoppy, nice tones of figs/raisins/plums, slight spice, and caramel. The taste is slightly sweet at first, very nice balanced blend of malts/hops, dark fruits round this one out, slight spicyness, and some caramel. The alcohol is hidden pretty well. Medium body, well rounded brew. Very drinkable, another pretty tasty brew from Alaskan.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2008 20:23:21 | More by Wasatch

Zorro

California

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A clear brown colored ale with a small yellowish tan colored head.

Smell is sweet malt and fruity esters with no one fruit it brings to mind. Cherry, light chocolate and wood form most of the scent. There is sweet scent in the alcohol fumes and it does remind me a lot of brandy, definite grape note to it.

Starts out sweet and fruity with a melon flavor to it. Mostly this is sweet and fruity with no strong flavors. Grape and melon seem to be the strongest flavors here with a mild bitterness just strong enough to keep the malt in check.

Mouthfeel is thick.

Super user-friendly Barley Wine here. Very tasty stuff and not a harsh thing about it. A beer I will eagerly buy again.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2010 03:50:17 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle, big thanks to mikesgroove for hooking me up with this. 2007 vintage.

Pours a clear dark reddish brown, ruby highlights, very brilliant in the light, thick off white head forms, quickly settles down to a thin ring around the glass, nice lacing, looks good. Smell is nice, all barleywine, caramel, some floral, bread, pine, alcohol, brown sugar, very sweet and malty, lots of fruit, strawberries and grapefruit, figs, reall nice. Taste is similar, very malty, caramel, floral, bready, raisins, and fruit, strawberries and mango, some citrusy grapefruit bitterness, alcohol comes through but is well hidden, brown sugar, very malty, but very balanced, the hops are just right. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied, chewy, low carbonation, some alcohol warmth, perfect for the cold weather. Doesn't knock my socks off but is a perfectly solid, great example of an American barleywine, really nice stuff. Thanks Mike!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 05:32:15 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Beautiful shade of burgandy. Tight cap of beige foam. Lacing is more than adequate for a 10+% beer.

Aroma: Chocolate covered cherries, fresh spearmint like hop aromas and deep maltiness.

Flavor: I notice the heat at first, but it dissipates rather quickly and doesn't get in the way of other flavor attributes. Nice rich caramel maltiness lays the foundation. Subtle layers of chocolate and pine and nougat add depth.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Even with the slight heat that is present, this stuff is incredibly drinkable. The smooth enjoyable flavor and rich texture make it so.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2009 03:30:09 | More by Bighuge

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: bottle share at Beermongers, Portland, OR
'07 vintage, had in Dec. '11, courtesy of writerLJberg. Thanks!

Poured a somewhat cloudy reddish brown with a wispy off-white head. Aroma of dark dried fruits, caramel, and promises of alcohol. Taste...man, we're talking some extreme raisin character in this beer, probably more pronounced than any other beer I've had, possibly even Raison d'Extra. Aftershocks of sweet caramel, booze, light dashes of brown sugar, hints of wood and leafy hops. Intensely flavorful, but pretty well-mellowed by aging for 4+ years. Very enjoyable selection.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 05:48:57 | More by Rifugium