Beer Line
Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

Beer LineBeer Line
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From:
Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
12.5%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.73 | pDev: 11.26%
Reviews:
56
Ratings:
138
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 18, 2024
Added:
Mar 18, 2002
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  8
This was brought back in 2014.

Beer Line is an off-the-rail barley wine style ale: rich, malty, multi-layered, and copper-amber. The off-white head liberates aromas of strawberry, dried-fruit, grapefruit, and papaya. The smooth, malt-forward flavor is equally complex, with undertones of caramel and toffee. Not overly sweet by any means, organic Bravo hops balance the malt syrup sweetness, finishing slightly spicy with a pleasurable alcohol warmth.
We recommend serving Beer Line as an after-dinner digestif. It will pair well with the sharp flavors of an American-style Gorgonzola or a five year cheddar. Beer Line’s dried fruit flavors will rhyme with the nutty, fruity aroma of a rich Stilton.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by granger10:
Photo of granger10
Reviewed by granger10 from Wisconsin

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I got this little guy at Discount Liquor in Milwaukee in the refrigerated section. Small 6.3 oz bottle with a torn up label and a ton of yeast on the bottom. I think this one is actually ten years old. Awesome.

Pours ever so gently into my snifter with a crystal clear copper honey color. Almost looks like a dark mead or a braggot. My pour produced a few bubbles but soon its dead still. I love the color and you really can't expect much from the carbonation standpoint.

Aroma is malt heavy for sure. Traces of caramel and toffee with a bit of nuttyness. Loads of alcohol esters with whiskey bourbon notes. A bit of some yeasty bready goodness finishes the smell.

Taste is also quite sweet. The main flavor I get is a honey taste which again reminds me of a mead. Some strong fruity esters sorround the syrup. Almost like a banana/plum mixture with a bready sweetness underneath. A bit of oak and wine notes follow. Finish is brandy with a pepper kick.

Mouthfeel honestly is cloying. This is really sweet but the alcohol/spice finish helps to cut the sweetness a bit. But I do like the thickness along with a malt flavor profile.

This bottle is quite small yet I am enjoying quite well sipping on this beer. Could I have another? Maybe but this small guy suits me just fine.

This really is a solid beer which has held up over time. I like the organic aspect but moreso this is a strong English Barleywine no matter what. A nice after dinner sipper.
May 05, 2006
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.54 by Mikexw from New York

Jan 18, 2024
 
Rated: 3.37 by Delirium_tremens67 from Wisconsin

Apr 03, 2019
 
Rated: 3.66 by Brushkanna from New Jersey

Jul 27, 2018
 
Rated: 4.24 by ummswimmin from New Jersey

May 04, 2018
 
Rated: 3.39 by SadMachine from New Jersey

Mar 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Feb 26, 2018
Photo of LampertLand
Reviewed by LampertLand from Canada (BC)

3.94/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Lakefront Brewery 'Beer Line' an organic barley wine @ 12.5% , served from a 355 ml bottle purchased for $4.70
A-pour is gold from the bottle to a clear amber in the glass with a medium size beige head leaving a fine spotty lace along the snifter
S-malty , with hints of vanilla
T-not so big tasting , yet smooth ,
MF-ok carbonation , fells full bodied
Ov-no wow factor , organic barley wine is kinda blah
prost LampertLand
Mar 17, 2017
Photo of Samlover55
Reviewed by Samlover55 from New York

3.86/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
12oz bottle into Libbey Tulip
Bottled 1/13/14, 3 years old
L- pours a light colored brown, but appears dark in the glass with some reddish tinges, and a thin white rim of foam
S- loads of heavy malty aroma, vanilla as well, smells like it was barrel-aged
T- rich and malty, not too sweet, with pleasant hoppy bitterness on the follow and finish
F- medium-bodied, drinks smooth, light carbonation
Overall a well-balanced Barleywine that has aged really nicely
Feb 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.4 by hilgart1 from Illinois

Jul 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.77 by Ultimate from New Jersey

May 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Dave_Treat from Virginia

May 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by eldoctorador from Chile

Dec 21, 2015
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

2.65/5  rDev -29%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Hat tip to Duff27 for the bottle. Nabbed her in a trade. Bottled: 12/16/14. This review, then, is of this beer with a year of age.

12 fl oz brown glass bottle served into a half-pint nonic. Cold as poured; warmed o'er consumption.

HEAD: ~1 inch wide. Off-white. Nice consistency and complexion. ~5 minute retention.

BODY: Murky amber-copper. It's an unclear hue, lads. No yeast can be seen, but there's a biteen of sediment floating about.

It's a decent appearance for a barleywine. Far from unique or special.

AROMA: Caramel. Faint toffee. English yeast characteristics, with moderate attenuation. It doesn't seem boozy, but the alcohol isn't really disguised. A kiss of diacetyl, perhaps.

Aroma's all malt (to style). No hop bitterness or biscuity yeast here. Aromatic intensity is above average.

TASTE: Caramel. Toffee. Biscuit malt. English malts. Yeast attenuation is off - this is a bit too sweet (even for a barleywine). Built pretty basically, with no frills.

I'd like to see less sweetness, more toffee, maybe some marshmallow, and a tease of oxidation.

Decently put together for what it is, but ultimately wanting.

TEXTURE: Well-carbonated, but not dialed in. Smooth, wet, unrefreshing, full-bodied, somewhat sticky, slightly syrupy, slightly overcarbonated, and of decent heft on the palate. Overall presence is subpar.

Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.

OVERALL: Not gestalt. There's no harmony of texture and taste. It's a hum-ho offering in its style, and isn't a brew I'd nab again, but I'm glad I tried it. I don't dislike it, but it's fair. I'll finish the glass without much effort, but discerning drinkers will find this ultimately below average.

C- (2.65) / BELOW AVERAGE
Dec 21, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Farral from Wisconsin

Dec 17, 2015
Photo of BeerFMAndy
Reviewed by BeerFMAndy from Wisconsin

4.23/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle poured into a Lakefront tulip.
12.5% ABV, Bottled 01/13/14

A - Beer Line's rich mahogany hue may be on the darker side but, it's easy to see this one pours with clarity and enough carbonation to keep the otherwise fleeting ivory head afloat.

S - The essence of dark fruits from the warming alcohol is the first thing to enter the nostrils but, make no mistake, Beer Line is far boozy. The subtle notes of dark cherry skin, raisin, and plum meld with rich, semisweet malts that incorporate the essences of melted caramel cube, shaved toffee, and toasted bread crusts for a strong-yet-smooth aroma.

T - Deep malt character pulls the aroma's nuances through into flavor, heavily relying on dense toasted bread crusts as caramel and toffee sweetness fall away into a more balanced, bitter beer. Earthy hops and a touch of rye spice the beer up, overshadowing the alcohol's subtle dark fruit undertones. Slight oxidation on the finish brings some wet cardboard into the mix, already starting to show the beer's age.

M - Moderately carbonated, Beer Line is neither flat nor lively. Instead, it's a bit slick on the tongue with a medium-full body that finishes quite dry and thin from the alcohol; it's characteristic heat found in fresh bottles most definitely mellowed out to a soft, warming finish.

O - Lakefront's Beer Line, a spin-off of MyTurn series Chad, is an exceptional beer fresh, albeit with considerable alcohol presence. Having sat dormant in a fridge for nearly a year, this beer is quite different in many regards. The alcohol has mellowed out wonderfully, allowing subtle dark fruit nuances in the aroma but, the flavor is very dry and finishes with a touch of growing oxidation characterized by a bit of wet cardboard taste. It's got the alcohol to keep for some time so I'll be sure to enjoy a few bottles along the tracks but this is one, after a year, I'd consider enjoying closer to it's bottled date.
Nov 06, 2015
Photo of darktronica
Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana

4.09/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled February 2014, reviewed October 2015. Pours a hazy dark pumpkin color, with half a finger of large-bubbled, audibly fizzy head that dissipates quickly--modest lacing and some legs indicate a full-bodied barleywine to come. The nose is strong but simple, with aromas of candy gumdrops and Earl Grey tea standing atop brown sugar and lemongrass. Flavors are likewise straightforward but pleasing, all candied ginger chews (without any of the ginger burn), smooth malts, and a moderate citrus hoppiness.

Now having tasted both the unaged and barreled versions, I can say that they are absolutely of a lineage and fairly nice, but this regular version is undoubtedly the better value. Even disregarding the price and format (the regular is sold as a 4-pack versus a more expensive bomber for the aged), this is probably my preferred expression. While not the most complex or decadent of barleywines, it is a comforting, accessible dessert beer that doesn't demand your full engagement to appreciate.
Oct 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.56 by tbone1384 from Wyoming

Oct 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.32 by ntorch from New York

Aug 31, 2015
Photo of mdfb79
Reviewed by mdfb79 from New York

3.85/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From 08/27/15 notes. 12 oz. bottle into a tulip.

Pours a murky brown with one inch of tan head and low carbonation evident. Some caramel malts, toffee, lots of dark fruits, candy, sugar, and toasted and burnt malts. Medium body and low carbonation, no head.

A pretty good barleywine that is more on the fruity side.
Aug 28, 2015
Beer Line from Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 138 ratings