Lower De Boom Barleywine - 21st Amendment Brewery

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.29/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Single picked up from Julio's a month or so ago. Canned on date is 2/5/13.

Big ol barleywine in a little can, cute. Pour into a snifter a dark amber beer with some haziness, with a small off-white head that forms a partial cap and thick ring. Some good lace left.

Scent is malty and fruity but really quite tame, there definitely should be more strength here considering the beer. Buttery caramel, raisin, earthiness.

Taste improves but really doesn't offer much for a barleywine, could use more flavor and complexity. All malts are of the sweet variety; butter and toffee mostly, lots of earthy and piny hops present, it's much hoppier overall than the nose hints towards. Some brown sugar. Not much alcohol.

Pretty good mouthfeel, it's a little higher on the carbonation than average for the style, could use a bit of a bigger/maltier feel I think.

For a pretty fresh, 92 IBU, 11.5% ABV barleywine, this just doesn't really pack much of a punch. Nothing super remarkable about this one.

Serving type: can

05-25-2013 01:27:22 | More by Chico1985

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

8.4oz. can poured into a Flying Dog goblet (canned on 2/5/13)

A: Very hazy/cloudy deep brown with no head and minimal lacing

S: Strong hop nose, reminiscent of Bigfoot with just a whiff of the balancing malt sweetness of the barleywine style.

T: All of it seems subdued. The hops and malts are there, but mellow and not particularly pronounced with flavor. Aftertaste is a nice malty resin but has something a little off, or odd to it. It gets better with a bit of warmth, but there is still something keeping the full flavor down. The alcohol is well hidden and the hops are there but almost inseparable from the malts, unlike some other BWs.

M: There is a subdued carbonation that seems like it is going to dominate, but quickly subsides. You feel a lot of bubbles and coarseness as you are taking your sip, but as soon as it is fully in your mouth it is gone and very minimal, quite ethereal.

O: It is a good BW, but it comes in a weird can size that only has 4 in the pack. However, it packs quite a punch for its size and a 12 oz. bottle might have been a bit much. I was recommended it by my local shop after I came in asking for something similar to Bigfoot. Its got the hops, but you can already tell it is a BW this early in the maturation, compared to the IPA qualities of Bigfoot early on. I will say it tastes good and goes down easy.

Serving type: can

05-21-2013 02:03:36 | More by gillagorilla

BilbosNuts

California

3.29/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Poured from a 8.4FL oz into a tulip glass.

A: Pours dark ruby in color with an off-white , one-finger head that stays around for nearly the entire drink. Some very light bubble streams give it an appearance that is not quite still.

S: Very sweet and fruity aroma up front. A toasted malt backbone finishes off the aroma.

T: Not nearly as fruity or sweet as the aroma leads you to believe. It also has a bigger alcoholic finish that isn't as prevalent in the aroma.

M: Medium bodied, and lightly carbonated. There is a significant burning effect from the big alcohol finish.

O: This offering didn't really impress me too much. I'm convinced the majority of their offerings are much better on tap at the brewery than out of their cans and this one confirms my theory. This beer left a lot to be desired, not much better than an average barleywine.

Serving type: can

05-19-2013 00:27:27 | More by BilbosNuts

Brenden

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This beer is a looker. Poured from its tiny can into my glass, it rests a thick, murky, rich orange-red. It grows a lightly tinted head to two fingers and the diminishment is never beyond one finger. This is a rich, creamy, frothy head that pillows the beer beautifully. As the beer subsides down the glass, the foamy creaminess that's left in a barely-tattered sheet is more head than lacing, coating the glass entirely.
Toasty breads with hints of caramel mingle with a pithy hoppiness. There's actually a very interesting (not offensive) note of cheese, sort of medium cheddar, in there too. I think it's just how my nose is picking up the pith and resin playing with the malts.
This is simply an excellently constructed barleywine. The way the flavors play out together just works so well. Along with the bread crust and toasty notes and dark fruits and caramel that never get too sweet balancing so well with floral and resinous hops bitterness that never gets too bitter, I have to wonder how difficult it is to keep it from going too far in either direction yet marvel that it doesn't. The flavor ends up favoring the hops, though they never overpower, and alcohlic warmth and flavor certainly makes itself known.
It's almost hard to believe how exceptionally creamy this beer is. Thick and rich, I expect some smoothness, but this exceeds my expectations in that regard. Combine that with a crispness that doesn't go overboard but gives support and liveliness every sip, and the feel of this beer is nearly perfect.
This may be my new favorite American barleywine, reviews be damned. Old Ruffian's not easy to upseat, but whatever people are missing here is gain for those who know what this beer should be.

Serving type: can

05-17-2013 14:12:45 | More by Brenden

EkimGram

New York

4.16/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Thin 8.4oz can poured into a snifter. Brown-orange in colour, hazy quality, almost no head whatsoever.

Smell: Powerful malts mix with a citric hop aroma and an alcoholic sweetness.

Taste: Very strong hop presence to start. Bitter and citric flavours give way to bready malts and a strong alcoholic finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body has a silky touch. Finishes with a slight carbonated nip.

Overall: This is a rather elegant brew. The flavours are strong yet simplistic while remaining interesting.

Serving type: can

05-08-2013 02:57:08 | More by EkimGram

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Light garnet-amber with a thin short-lived tan head.

Dark caramel, dried fruits, citrus fruit hoppiness, grapefruit, pine, alcohol, toffee, and a hint of rotting pineapple.

Deep roast and burly toffee notes matching American 'C' hops. Grapefruit pith, bitter orange, raisin, booze, and unsweet cherry. Malts are pretty big, but the hops are right there too. Dank finish seems lengthy.

Soft mouthfeel. Carbonation seems to dry it out a bit. Body needed that.

Okay barleywine. Holds its own.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 14:54:41 | More by thecheapies

SeanGC

New York

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured from can into a tulip glass

a - dark copper color. Relatively clear with some chill haze. No head formation with initial pour. However, swirling the glass developed a half finger, off-white thick head. Dissipates quickly, leaving a lasting ring throughout the experience.

s - balanced. Strong in both hop and malt character. Malt include toffee, melanoidin, sweet. American hop character, including citrus notes. Yeast character present as well, defined by fruity esters and ethanol notes.

t - flavor showcases american hop character. Citrusy hop flavor, and bitter back. Barley any malt character perceived, with the exception of some complimentary sweetness that is masked by citrus flavors, such as orange and grapefruit. Ethanol is perceivable, but not offensive. However, ethanol and high bitterness creates a harsh bittering finish.

m - moderately high carbonation. Warming. Medium body.

o - Very good american barleywine. would have liked more of that classic, melanoidin malt character that one would expect from a barley wine in the flavor. It was also surprisingly lighter in body than I had originally anticipated. However, it's not a deal breaker for me, and I would purchase this beer again.

Serving type: can

05-05-2013 22:00:44 | More by SeanGC

snaotheus

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

8.4oz can poured into a large snifter

Pours clear reddish with medium to small head. Head retains well. Little in the way of observable carbonation. Smell is musty, cut grass, mild compost.

Taste is on the tart side, some distinct plumminess, with a little attention some definite piney hops. Definitely more of the mustiness, maybe some old wet leather.

Mouthfeel is dry but thick. Overall, pretty good. Not great.

Serving type: can

05-04-2013 02:58:57 | More by snaotheus

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.01/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from can into hf tulip. Wow...coolest thing since sliced bread. Barleywine in a can...
Pours a deep amber burnt orange color with a bit of lacing. Sweet malty aromas with a nice dose of hops. Taste is caramel toffee malts...nicely sweet. Chewey and very easy to drink...a bit dry but overall a nice barleywine.

Serving type: can

05-04-2013 02:21:31 | More by DrinkSlurm

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from an 8.4-oz. slim, "energy drink" style can into a tulip-shaped Belgian stem glass.

A: Pours a deep, orange amber color with light brown highlights and a thin, sticky layer of toffee-colored foam which leaves a small band of clingy lacing.

S: Rich, candied aroma of figs, dried fruits, toffee and caramel malt roastiness and a zing of lemongrass with a slightly solvent alcohol aroma amidst the floral hop bouquet.

T: Sweet, rich roasted caramel flavor up front with a hint of nutty roast and creamy toffee before leading in with a fruity, raisin and plum palate backed by a quick flash of orange rind and grassy bitterness. Very smooth and balanced flavor with a touch of alcohol heat and some cloying, sweet booziness in the finish.

M: Medium-full bodied ale that doesn't really show its gravity, as the grassy, bright-yet-not-stringent hops lift the sweetness to keep the palate fresh and the brew drinkable.

O: A nice American barleywine that reveals more malt complexity as the brew warms. The 11.5% ABV packs in a lot of malt flavors, from juicy raisins and dried apricots to toffee-like sweetness. It's not the best example of the style, as it still is a bit boozy and cloying in the finish but it makes for a nice sipper with a moderate hop punch.

Serving type: can

05-03-2013 00:54:18 | More by Gambrinus1184

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Still not sure why I couldn't get 12oz for the $3.19 I paid. Ow well single poured into a pint glass.
A - Even though it's high octane I still get a 1/4 inch of sticky white head that settles to a mild lace ring. Color is a bright hazy amber brown.
S - Smells of malts, brown sugar, Citrus hops, a touch of alcohol and some biscuit.
T - Funny it has a distinct medicinal cherry flavor that is not too sour, then flavors of typical barley wine nature with some woody and sugary malts. Next is the hops they are somewhat bitter but mix fairly well. Finish is again sweet with a touch of brown sugar.
M - Worst part even though it hides the ABV well it drinks very watery. Not bad if you want to pound the can.

Overall a very overpriced barleywine that only gimmick is canning only 8oz and charging for the full 12. Not the worst barley wine but I have had better.

Serving type: can

05-01-2013 03:44:20 | More by DrDemento456

mfavoino

Washington

3.96/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a deep amber with a creamy finger and a half of head that leaves solid lacing.

Smell: Malt forward, caramel, some fruit, and light hops.

Taste: Initial citrus hops, then the malty sweetness creeps in. Caramel and brown sugar make this one sweet and it lingers.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and smooth. Slight alcohol burn as it goes down.

Overall: Interesting pouring it from the small can. Enjoyed the sweetness and smoothness. Others might find it to be too sweet and not hoppy enough for an American Bwine.

Serving type: can

04-29-2013 01:11:34 | More by mfavoino

Billolick

New York

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Canned on 02-05-13 acording to the bottom of the mini can

Pours darker amber, hazed, moderate khaki head, goes to a tiny bubble film and super fine low sheeting and scattered lace.

Sweetly malty sniff, with vanilla coming through.

Tasty and easy drinking Bwine. Sweet malts with more vanilla and some honey coming to the party.

Smooth, smooth, smooth, dangerously easy to enjoy this one flowing over the taste buds.

Nice beer. Too bad the portions are so small...but actually not a bad value at about 33 ounces of barleywine for $11.99 for the fourpack.

Purchased at Peekskill Beer and soda, Peekskill, NY, a few days ago

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 21:53:34 | More by Billolick

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.61/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours brownish to amber with a decent head for a barleywine. Some head remains on top through consumption and even a bit of lacing which is suprising at this strength.

S: Hops - pine and grass, malt - sweet caramel.

T: Hops present up front and grab you mellowing later with malt sweetness, belgian candi sugar, and a slight alcohol finish but less than expected for a barleywine of this strength. Really nice.

M: Good after dinner drink, but not as heavy as you might think.

O: Well done and especially like the small 8 oz can - don't have to commit to what is often a 22+ oz bottle of very strong beer. Bravo!

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 01:27:40 | More by Oakenator

Huffs

New York

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pilsner glass, developed a great looking head with good retention and lacing. Appearance was a deep, clear amber / copper color. Aroma was of a light fruit with some malt notes. Tasted malty with hints of fruit anda strong back of alcohol. Mouthfeel was heavy with a lasting, sweet / malty aftertaste.

Serving type: can

04-28-2013 01:12:19 | More by Huffs

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Canned on:
02/05/13 1955

A= Pours a dirty hazy brown color with a little bit of head about a half finger high that falls fast to a thin skin on top of the beer. Not really the prettiest beer but eh who cares. Some decent lacing on the side of the glass.

S= I immediatly notice a bog hop presence. Almost a sweet sort of candy hop. Not much in the way of alcohol which I was expecting more of. A big malty character to support the hops. Really smells like a "balanced" barleywine. Not quite the IIPA type barleywine you get sometimes and not quite the "old ale" sort of English Barleywine but rather somewhere in the middle.

T= The taste is very similar to the nose. A big hop presence comes through first followed by a lot of sweet malted barley. The alcohol comes through a little more and has a warming presence. The hops come through again after the swallow and sort of fumigate in the mouth.

M= The mouth is a nice creamy feel.

O= The thing I like about this beer the most is the can size. It's perfect! The beer itself is nice and smooth. It's not the most over the top barleywine I've had or the most extreme but it does have a nice balance and hides the alcohol very well. This is a nice beer to keep around simply because it's a perfect size for a nice when you want a barleywine but don't wanna cross the line, at least for me but hey I'm a lightweight.

Serving type: can

04-26-2013 02:39:25 | More by jjanega08

nUgZ

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

8.4 ounce can poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a mostly clear amber color with a small head and minimal lacing.

S: Sweet malts, dark fruit, some faint hops, and alcohol.

T: Fairly hoppy for the style along with some sweet malts, dark fruits, and a little alcohol.

M: Medium bodied with ample carbonation.

O: This is high on alcohol, fairly tasty, and easy to drink. It's not something I'll be hunting down much, but I'm glad I tried it.

Serving type: can

04-25-2013 19:52:19 | More by nUgZ

tone77

Pennsylvania

2.94/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A big thanks to woodychandler for this beer. Poured from an 8.4 oz. can. Has a pretty amber color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is fruity, some hops as well. Taste is big on alcohol, hops, more alcohol, a touch of fruits. Feels medium bodied and very boozy in the mouth and overall, while not terrible, wasn't really to my liking.

Serving type: can

04-25-2013 00:01:48 | More by tone77

smakawhat

Maryland

3.35/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from the can into a snifter glass.

A faint tan head barley manages to get a finger tall on the pour. Settles to a nice simple collar with a thin puck, with some soapy character. Body is a bit of a cloudy dull copper red amber with brown.

Nose is a bit muted. Sweet malts and sense of pickle brine, matching a little bit of faint toasty brown sugar. Quite muted, not much going on here, but a little bit.

Palate leaves a little bit of faint hop and resin, mixing with a little bit of sweet malt. Lingering nice pine and grapefruit bitterness, but with a dominating astringent character that warms and takes over. Palate is a little bit wet but nothing terribly.

Overall I am not getting much out of this or having a desire to return to it. It's drinkable and perfectly fine, but not my thing compared to other barleywines.

Serving type: can

04-22-2013 18:45:27 | More by smakawhat

ToddT

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

L- Caramel colored brew, with an almost nonexistent head. There is a thin ring around the glass which leaves some spotty lace on the glass.

S- Caramel, toffee, pine hops, and brown sugar.

T- Boozy, pine hops and hints of raisin, and caramel. Strong boozy finish with a bit of piny hop oil residue.

F- Viscous, and oily on the palate, not unpleasant but a bit heavy with almost no carbonation. Finish is a bit oily with a tart and bitter final note from the pine hops.

O- Not bad a hoped up barley wine, the 11.5% ABV isn't hidden at all but not over the top for the style. I would drink it again if I find this, but I won't seek it out.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 03:21:59 | More by ToddT

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.04/5  rDev -21%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

8.4oz can from Hop City (Atlanta, GA) 9.99/ 4 pack. Canned 2/5/13. Served in a Cigar City snifter.

Pours ruby hued brown with a thin wisp of pale head that fades quickly. No lace.

Smells of toffee, piney hops, burnt sugar and alcohol.

A big shot of alcohol up front with other flavors struggling to keep up. Resinous, bitter piney hops, flower petals, grapefruit rinds, toffee, caramel, burnt brown sugar, cherry pits and pepper. The booze flavor is strong and dominant.

Oily, slick, medium full feel with moderate carbonation. Alcohol and bitter hops linger in the finish.

Yikes. I wouldn't have guessed that 21st Amendment would make such a hot mess. I think there is potential here but for my tastes, it needs more body, more sweetnees in the back bone and dial back the booze. The hops are nice but they don't make it worth drinking the other 3 before this has spent at least 18 more months in my cellar, hopefully calming down.

Serving type: can

04-18-2013 12:19:30 | More by ThickNStout

SHODriver

California

3.91/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: pours reddish brown into a snifter with a small off white head that quickly fades to a collar around the glass
S: smells of piney and herbal hops, caramel and brown sugar
T: tastes of piney hops, caramel malt, brown sugar, a bit herbal and green with a slight alcohol. swallow brings more piney and herbal hop with some syrupy caramel sweetness from the malt
M: full in the mouth with very soft and light carbonation. slightly drying finish battles with the oily hop residue
O: not a bad barleywine at all. huge flavors and decent complexity with a high ABV that is hidden fairly well. It doesn't really bring anything new to the world of barleywines but it's a solid example of the style. Hops are a bit harsh up front so it could use some age. Not quite as abrasive as fresh Old Guardian though.

Serving type: can

04-13-2013 22:35:41 | More by SHODriver

ONUMello

Ohio

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from an 8.4oz can into a pint glass, bottled on date of 2/5/13
A: Transparent amber color with a one-finger head that slowly settles
S: Lots of roasted malt and citrus peel hops. Almost smells more like a DIPA than a barleywine
T: Definitely more hop-forward than fruit-forward. Hops up front with roasted malt & sweet baked pear/fig underneath. Bitter finish
M: Medium-bodied, actually fairly complex as the hops/malt/sweet fruit/etoh all come into balance
O: Not bad but not my favorite barleywine. I can't decide if I like the can size or not - on the one hand, from an etoh consumption standpoint it's great but the beer seemed like it was gone before I could completely appreciate it.

Serving type: can

04-07-2013 06:23:09 | More by ONUMello

Ego

New Jersey

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

eyes...
one finger of head sitting on top of medium brown hue with amber highlights, ample legs from the ABV are apparent on the glass sides, not much else to report

nose...
brown hoppy presence, more subtle sweet malt notes, this does not scream barley wine initially, a little boozy, pretty balanced, not bad

taste etc...
a little more carbonated than some BWs, and I like it... it drinks smoothly for the ABV, in fact the warming is at a minimum if the ABV % is accurate, the malts have a good sweetness and there is good development of hop flavor as well, it feels almost more like a heavier APA with BW malts, nothing is over powering but yet there are some nice flavors here.

verdict?
a pretty easy going BW, not a world beater but not bad in any aspect, a nice little beer worth checking out when you don't need to be bowled over on your ass but want a nice punch of kick and good flavor.

Serving type: can

04-07-2013 05:03:56 | More by Ego

morimech

Minnesota

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear bronze color with a dense one finger of head that had excellent retention before settling to a thick cap. Heavy lacing is left down the glass.

Straight forward barley wine aroma. A lot of caramel and toffee with dried fruit notes of dates and raisins. Some alcohol is noticed which is not surprising.

Another highly hopped barleywine. The hops show up more in the bitterness level than the flavor. The bitterness evens out what would otherwise be a cloyingly sweet ale. It is not overly hot either. Flavors you do receive is caramel, toasted bread, dates, raisins, and earthiness. Slightly warming in the finish. For all the bitterness and the label claims, I just get the slightest hint of tropical fruit hop flavor.

Full bodied and nicely carbonated. Feels soft and slick on the palate.

An 8oz can is about all I want in one serving. A sipper that is not really special enough to chose this one over the increasingly crowded shelves.

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 19:05:42 | More by morimech