10 Squared Fish Tale Ale - Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub

Dakotah

California

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Out of the bomber, so I can't really say how it looks

S- more like a heavy or dark ale than a barley wine

T- Also more dark ale/ Arrogant Bastard than Barley wine. Very tasty and drinkable, soft malty backbone, boozy ale up front.

M- light! for a BW.. but lingering

O- not what's expected from the category, but a very delicious brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:55:49 | More by Dakotah

Treebs

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bottle served in a Pumking goblet. Bottled October 2011. Thanks to mfavoino for the bottle.

A: Pours a deep amber color with some ruby and brown hues in the body. A light khaki head forms on the pour and recedes to a thick, bubbly ring. Sheets of soapy lace are left down the glass.

S: Piney and earthy hops upfront with a malty backbone. Some slightly sweetness on the backend, but this a hop forward and earthy barleywine. Mild raisin pops up as it warms. A little brown sugar as well.

T: very malty upfront. Oaty and sweet there are underlying pine and grass notes. Some dark fruits with a little alcohol notes. Not hot though. Some caramel sweetness on the back end. The hops creep back up on the finish with a bitterness that cuts the sweetness.

M: Medium bodied with a medium carbonation level and a drying finish.

O: Pretty solid overall. I can't imagine how hoppy this was a year ago, but I like the level where it's at now. Earthy and piney bitterness meet a sweet and oaty malt base.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 02:10:38 | More by Treebs

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

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

Props to my western Canada connection joemcgrath27 for this treat. Bottled October 2011.

A - Pours a murky copper colour with a thumb of head with solid retention and nice sheeting lacing.

S - Solid earthy cedar hop profile, sweet citrus and a bold peppery spice and musty caramel that comes through on the finish.

T - Much like the nose with the earthy hop profile dominating, heavy bitterness that comes through alongside the musty caramel malt, hints of burnt toast, espresso and a sour citrus rind lingers.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and dry and sticky on the finish.

O - A bold and tasty brew with loads of flavour and an incredibly well hidden ABV. I suspect the aging of this bottle helped to smooth it out, making it extremely drinkable. Super stoked to have had the opportunity to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 03:45:55 | More by andrenaline

cfrances33

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle extra'd from trodersark, poured into a tulip.

Pour: Murky amber brown, with a finger of light tan head. Nice lacing, head hangs around as a rim.

Smell: Caramel, booze, and floral hoppiness. Meh.

Taste: Follows the nose, but with a HUGE caramel malt presence... way more than I would like when taking into consideration the floral and grassy hops. A light toffee and some booze on the back.

Mouthfeel: Heavy and sticky, yet light and drinkable at the same time. Not very good.

Overall: A mediocre American barleywine that went too hard with the malt profile to match the hoppiness, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 02:49:00 | More by cfrances33

superspak

Michigan

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

22 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled in October 2011(1 year). Pours very hazy brick red color with a nice 1-2 finger dense khaki head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice soapy lacing on the glass, with some alcohol legs. Aromas of big grapefruit, pine, caramel, earth, molasses, toast, herbal, raisin, biscuit, light chocolate, wood, and herbal spiciness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity. Taste of big caramel, pine, toast, grapefruit, biscuit, grass, earth, molasses, light chocolate, wood, herbal, raisin, and piney spiciness. Good amount of pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, pine, herbal, grass, molasses, dark fruit, biscuit, light chocolate, toast, wood, earth, and piney spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor balance and complexity; nearly zero cloying flavors on the finish. Medium carbonation and full bodied; with a creamy, slick, and sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent barleywine. Very nice complexity, depth, and balance of flavors; quite smooth to sip on. Very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 02:56:56 | More by superspak

mactrail

California

3.05/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Woody and earthy, with a murky, mushroomy stew of flavors. Seems to be the hallmark of these Reel Ales. Reminds me of their Imperial Red and the Starfish black. Too Cascadian for words.

Clear, dark amber in the narrow tulip. Not so foamy, but plenty of spritz on the tongue. Hot and dirty. The aroma is one of the better features, with the big resiny hops. Flowery nose with some cedar and black pepper. Lots of malt, but it's more the quantity than any distinct sort of flavor. The hoppy bitterness gradually throws its weight around and take over the place.

I love the new label-- it's all tentacles. Maybe the art director knows something about brewing beer. From the 22 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 05:37:04 | More by mactrail

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - slightly hazy dark burnt orange brown, two fingers of tan head that retained very well, leaving a few random blobs of foam clinging to the glass
S - caramel, citrus and pine hop notes, mild toasty in the end
T - starts with caramel and brown sugar, quickly moves to hop flavours of citrus rind and earthy woodiness, finishes slightly boozy with the hop notes lingering
M - more than medium body, starts sticky and creamy, quickly moves to a hop bitterness
O - big hop presence in this bad boy barleywine which I always appreciate, tasty and drinkable for its size, nice work

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 04:39:17 | More by joemcgrath27

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 12/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a dark coppery red amber. Slight head with nice lacing. Light malt and strong hop aroma. Hoppy up front. Sweet malts assert themselves in the middle and a hoppy finish. Not very complex, but sturdy barley wine backbone with nice citrus and pine hops. Worth an annual revisit. This is same ale that I reviewed in 2010 as an American Imperial IPA. It seems like a cross between the two styles.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 03:41:34 | More by LiquidAmber

draheim

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz (based on the four notches in the label, bottled either Jan or Nov, 2010 or 2011 - but I think it was Nov 2010) into a snifter. Pours a clear amber w/ just a thin film of bubbles on the surface, sustained by a constant stream of fine carbonation rising from around the perimeter of the glass.

Aroma is a variety of herbal and floral hops, some caramel sweetness in the background. Rum-soaked raisins, toffee, buttery booze.

Taste follows nose. Sticky sweet countered by 100 IBUs of hoppy bitterness.

Mouthfeel is slick, coating, sticky. But carbonation keeps it relatively light and drinkable.

Overall a good, super-hoppy American barleywine. Nothing earth-shattering, but tasty nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2012 03:14:13 | More by draheim

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared at FosterJM's birthday celebration that I brought myself.

This particular bottle indicates Reel Ale, not Fish Brewing.

Pours a clear brown with a tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, and citrus zest. Taste is toasted malt, brown sugar, and lots of citrus zest flavors. There is a medium level of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good barleywine with lots of hops in the smell and taste.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 22:25:11 | More by UCLABrewN84

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Half pint at beer revolution 17/2/12

A dark amber and it looks pretty thick, just a thin film but it leaves lots of unorganized lace

s big toffee notes and a blast of citric piney hops , smells a little sweet

t now we get into some massive piney grapefruit rind, loads of risen and toffee make it hard to tell if its hops or malt overpowering everyone

M feel is powerful taking some of my mouth with it while leaving a fair bit behind, some booze burn and a very long finish, syrupy with just enough bubbles

o some strong stuff here but i liked it, lots of ingredients were needed for this one

a big dipa right now and some age would mellow out the hops and booze

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2012 23:26:23 | More by wordemupg

snaotheus

Washington

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a large mug

Pours a dark reddish with a medium dingy head. Lots of active carbonation. Smell is rich and dark fruity, pretty nice.

Taste is bitter alcohol and some rich maltiness, medium amount of intense bitter grapefruit rind flavor.

Mouthfeel is is rich and round. Overall, this is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 00:09:50 | More by snaotheus

mfavoino

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 10/11 and enjoyed on 1/28/11.

Appearance: Deep red-brown with an off white head that stuck to the sides of the glass. Great looking barleywine.

Smell: Lots of hops! Really expecting a hop forward taste based on the scent.

Taste: Resiny hops that are to be expected from a Pacific Northwest beer. Lot of complexity going on here that has lots of sweetness dominated by caramel flavors and the aforementioned pine hops.

Mouthfeel: Sticky, medium mouthfeel. Average carbonation with a slight alcohol finish. Highly drinkable barleywine.

Overall: Very impressed with this barleywine. Love the hop flavor and drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 04:14:26 | More by mfavoino

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Eulogy, Philly, PA

Served in a snifter, a dark reddish-brown color, slightly hazy, with an attractive, creamy light tan head that retained well and left some thin, stratified lacing on the glass. Smelled sweet and woody, malt presence, and a bit of floral hops, subtle citrus notes. There's a definite underlying sweetness in the taste, with flavors of licorice, wood, and a dry bitterness from a surprisingly generous profile of citrus and pine hops. Higher alcohol is pretty subdued. Very interesting for a barleywine...almost seems to share qualities with an IIPA. Medium body, a bit chewy, a good one to savor.

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2012 13:25:49 | More by Rifugium

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to Dajtai007 for sending this as an extra in a past trade.

Pours a cloudy dark amber/chestnut color with subtle golden edges and a two finger frothy white head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Large chunks of soapy lacing coat the glass.

Floral hop aroma with some citrus and pine but the malt presence is a bit strong with some caramel, toffee and nut.

Thick, chewy mouthfeel with a blast of dry, bitter hops that dominate the flavor, lingering over the sweet malt backbone into a dry finish. Earthy pine needle flavor with resinous hop oils countered by tropical and citrus fruit notes as well as a decet malt character that provides balance without detracting from the hops. Just a huge beer with huge fesh hop flavor. I had never even heard of this brewery before but I loved this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 13:36:24 | More by corby112

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

In certain lights, 10 Squared is almost red enough to send as a Valentines card - wouldn't the beer lover in your life like that?! - but due to its murkiness (especially after the second half of the bottle's been poured) it can't really be considered all that pretty. The fact that it procures (and retains!) such a thick head, however, is impressive.

The late Mitch Hedberg had a joke about Pringles initially wanting to make tennis balls. I think this barleywine initially wanted to be potpourri; its ultra-fragrant bouquet combines the dried, fresh and super-distilled essences of an infinite number of things - pine bark, dried fruit peel, mint, cane sugar, roasted nuts, honey to name just a few.

The malts and the hops have beaten each other to a bloody pulp. To identify which varieties of each were used would require dental records. Specific characteristics have been obliterated beyond all recognition by a long fermentation process, a sizable amount of alcohol and, most significantly, the abundance of the other.

That is simply what happens when using 5 varieties of malt (and enough of them to boost the alcohol up to 10%) and 10 varieties of hops (enough to punch in over 100 IBUs). The beer, as result, is an abstract blend of acidic citrus, gooey butterscotch, spruce and pine resins, and a whole whack load of dried fruits and herbs that taste as though they've been macerated in some kind of fermented honey.

For a beer with these kinds of specs I'm impressed (or, actually, a little concerned) that I've gotten as far into the bottle as I have in this short a time period. It should be a bit more of a challenge. Yet sips continue to be closer to gulps. And it only get's easier with warmth. While this may not be the highest rated one out there, 10 Squared is an American barleywine if there ever was one. If you happen to snag a bottle - don't throw it back!

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 01:43:59 | More by biegaman

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

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

Brought this bottle back from the west coast on a recent trip.

Not a huge head, and not a great deal of retention. Ring of foam forms around the edge of the glass. I wish I knew what caused barley wines to have the ruby tone deep within their color. This one really isn’t an exception, although it’s subtle. Not much lace.

Great aroma. Rich, thick and deep. Like an after dinner drink. Deep chewy malts, caramel, dark fruits and a lovely alcohol note to it all.

Enjoyed the flavor as well. Rich, chewy caramel. Deep malt flavors. Lots of pine notes and a bit more hop punch than I was expecting.

Very smooth and velvet like. Beyond subtle carbonation.

Like it, Liked it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 21:57:58 | More by Reagan1984

ratzofftoya

District of Columbia

3.15/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Served in a duvel tulip glass.

A: A brown somewhere between hazelnut and milk chocolate, with very little head and faintly noticeable carbonation.

S: The typical aggressive hoppy smell of a barleywine, with some dulce de leche and a hint of cedar to back it up.

T: Little subtlety in the front of the mouth, with some rather pronounced hops and a chestnut richness. In the back, you'll taste more bitterness and a tinge of sweetness.

M: Begins with a slightly overcarbonated lightness and moves on to a more viscous simple syrup feel.

O: An average example of the barley wine style, lacking much to distinguish it from its cousins. I was expecting a bit more from this, but if I am at a bar and they have it on tap, and I'm feeling like a barleywine or strong ale, I'll give it another shot.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 17:40:10 | More by ratzofftoya

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber into a Cantillon tulip. Thanks, Chris, for sharing!

A: Hazy orange-red body with a thin tan head that quickly forms a ring. Light lace. Not bad.

S: Big + bittersweet: sugar-coated grapefruit, caramelized pine needles, and toffee-drenched flowers. Classic hoppy Barleywine.

T: A core of toffee is surrounded by hugely intense hops. Fruity/floral/piney/herbal all at the same time, and ridiculously bitter. I love it, but it's just destroying my palate.

M: Creamy, fairly full body with soft carbonation. Nice.

O: Awesome beer, but definitely one to share. It reminds me a lot of fresh Bigfoot, and that's a good thing. I love how the multiple high-test hop varieties work together, supplying an absolute panorama of PNW hoppiness. Terrific right now, but I'm not sure how welcome this gigantic bitterness will be once the fantastic hop flavors fade with time.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 16:00:25 | More by woosterbill

doughanson78

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Special Brews in Lynnwood, WA

A: Deep Amber/golden color. Decent 1 finger head. Ok lacing. Lots of bubbles, maybe a lot of carbonation?

S: Big hop smell. Faint traces of caramel backing it up.

T: Definitely not as hoppy as the smell would suggest. The caramel malts do a very nice job of balancing this one out. Faint alcohol aftertaste.

M: Medium-bodied. Coats the mouth well. Kinda fizzy.

O: Good beer. For what is supposed to be 100 IBU's you wouldn't know it by the taste. Other than that there's nothing super special about this. Definitely worth a try though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2011 05:09:04 | More by doughanson78

emmasdad

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I picked this one up at Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido on a recent vacation. I bought this one with fond memories of the Fish beers I'd purchased in Seattle early in the decade. Based on that, I was a bit disappointed. Poured a dark reddish brown with a light brown head. Aromas of grapefruit (big citrusy hops) and caramel malt. On the palate, this one was full bodied, with flavors of sweet malt, hops and caramel. Something about this one didn't sit right with me.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 05:33:24 | More by emmasdad

oberon

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured with a slight chill haze a deep burnt orange with an almost creamy like head in texture.A mix of big juicy fruit and resiny hop,both are massive and compliment each other extremely well.Well this was bottled in March and its easy to tell,its untame and pretty hot,big fruitiness and big alcohol with a sweetish cakiness to it as well.The hops hit hard in the finish keeping the sweetness in check...somewhat.I should have laid this down for a bit,right now its real big and brash,but hey there isnt anything wrong with that either...Lets Go Red Wings!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 01:02:05 | More by oberon

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled Nov 2010 received as an extra from the late ArthurPendragon. I've tried a barrel-aged variation of this (the Merlot BA Leviathan) and the regular Leviathan, and am curious to see what I think.

Clear copper red with a dense, light brown head that falls off to a ring, leaving little lace. The nose is still intensely hoppy , though that it;s been aged a few months is fairly obvious. Grapefruit, pine and citrus oils are present, though there's a light oxidized hop character that's present as well. In addition, there's also a green/grassy hop character on the back end. Rich, sugary sweetness with caramel, honey, light brown sugar, this does have a nice malt character. As it warms up, the alcohol does grow noticeable as well.

The palate opens with a blend bitter hop oils. Citrus peel, grapefruit pith and a little pine resin are present, potently so. Pungently bitter with a mildly cheesy, oxidized hop character, this is great if at an awkward point right now. Behind the intense hop assault is the rich malt complexity, with brown sugar, honey, a little toffee as well. Bitter on the finish with a lingering grapefruit pith and pine resin bitterness, this is one hoppy barleywine. Reminiscent of Big Slick and Flying Mouflan, this is quite good. Medium-full in body with medium-low carbonation, this does have a nice boozy warmth to it on the finish. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 03:28:54 | More by DefenCorps

KJH

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

WOW - I was going to age this beer but I am very glad I drank it today.

It pours a good amber color with a thick head. I'm getting a malty aroma but that could be a result of aging for 2 months. But it has a great malt-hop balance after 2 months.

Extremely drinkable - until you get to the last 2 ounces and the previous 20oz catch up with you. You cannot tell that is a 10% beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 04:53:10 | More by KJH

100floods

California

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I share the possible general sentiment that the bottle I have obtained is not the anniversary edition of this beer. The marking on the sides lead me to believe this was made in november 2010 and bottled in january 2011. Pretty fresh, and young, for a barleywine.

Pours a rich, dark, burnt orange hue with a cream-tan hue. Some retention, but much much.

Hoppy and dark malt aromas. Akin to a mix of maltier batches of big foot.

This beer has a very smooth texture that can be found once you get past the strong opening of hops. The hops come at you like a kick to the tongue, but doesn't leave a mark. It's gentle kick, but a kick no less. Later notes of wood, smooth malt and citrus flavors, too. This has all the traits of great West coast barleywines, and does a good job of separating itself with its balance. The malt presence is surprisingly minimal, but not lacking. It has found a way to blend in with some of the less punchy flavors. This hops bring a sharp bite with not being too bitter and undrinkable. It manages to blend nicely with the malt after sitting for some time to create a sweet-earthy flavor. Why age this when you can drink it now?

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2011 21:35:03 | More by 100floods