Blue Point Old Howling Bastard - Blue Point Brewing Company

barleywinebrewer

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

so, I'm browsing the beer store and I find this blue point barleywine. Yup, I'm a fan of the style so this becomes my purchase. Upon checkout the cashier notes I got an 03 vintage barleywine and explains how this style gets better with age. He hasn't tried this yet but thinks about it often. I smiled, thanked him for his input and said I was looking forward to the bottle. No relevance at all to the tastes, just and amusing side not to the overall experience....

2003 vintage consumed Feb 2009. Blue wax top that took a little work to get through.

A - beautiful golden amber color with a nice off white head.
S - caramel, wheat, honey, abv.
T - candied oranges, caramel, citrus blossom honey and a touch of wheat.
M - full bodied, nicely carbonated, smooth, resinous and a nice light warming effect.
D - a sipper to be sure. a well aged bottle which I'm quite happy to have enjoyed!!!

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2009 01:27:16 | More by barleywinebrewer

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

05-22-2013 01:29:09 | More by mikeincharleston

Lantern

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-16-2013 22:52:42 | More by Lantern

RickS95

Indiana

4.31/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22 ounce bomber

Good looking for the style. Muddy brown and thick, looks like nasty river water after a good storm. The head is a dingy white, a finger thick at its best, and leaves a thin lace.

One of the best smelling barley wines, its full of malt with a ryeness to it. Also, there's a hit of citrus which isn't something I expected, but made for a nice surprise. Very floral with a splash of vanilla.

Very pleasant taste for a barley wine, English toffee comes to mind. Again, there's a vanillaish taste. Lots of malt as you'd guess. A caramelly finish. Hops are definitely there, but don't overwhelm.

It's smooth and buttery, and exceptionally smooth for the type. There's a hint of sweetness early on that turns to citrus before the bitterness takes over. Along the way, a buttery feel works in conjunction with the citrus and bitterness for a pleasant drinking experience. Full bodied, the high alcohol is well hidden, though you'll still want to sip it.

Overall it's a good beer, much better than their oatmeal stout I had last night. It's easy to drink and goes down smoothly.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:02:07 | More by RickS95

DIPAFAN

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +3.6%

05-11-2013 22:25:38 | More by DIPAFAN

Dyerseve

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

05-10-2013 23:33:10 | More by Dyerseve

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -22.3%

05-05-2013 22:06:54 | More by ejimhof

Mibarak

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%

04-28-2013 04:33:08 | More by Mibarak

Shatter

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

04-14-2013 00:25:23 | More by Shatter

Twig2848

New York

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

04-06-2013 03:49:12 | More by Twig2848

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +16.6%

03-24-2013 18:51:56 | More by wisrarebeer

BGsWo22

New York

3.25/5  rDev -15.8%

03-20-2013 20:49:17 | More by BGsWo22

Em30

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.6%

03-20-2013 00:23:52 | More by Em30

oldedog

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-17-2013 00:38:51 | More by oldedog

skaboom420

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

03-11-2013 19:38:43 | More by skaboom420

Tumble

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.6%

03-10-2013 22:54:28 | More by Tumble

HugeBulge

New York

4/5  rDev +3.6%

03-07-2013 21:08:52 | More by HugeBulge

DevilsCups

New York

3.5/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle to tulip.

A - On the lighter side of the barleywine spectrum. Light brown/mahogany, off white head that dissipates pretty quick. Nice lacing and soapy layer on top. Only slightly hazy.

S - Big bready malts. Almost like a white bread crust. Slight red licorice in the back. Pretty nice. Not hop forward at all.

T - Bready malts with that red licorice taste. Like a twizzler. Very pleasant. Faint hops on the back end.

M - Thinner side, but not overly so. Fairly middle of the road.

O - Not too bad. Worth a try for sure. Tame for a barleywine, so it would be a good beginner brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 01:33:26 | More by DevilsCups

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is a chestnut colored liquid with a very slim head. Mostly still and very clear. The aroma is of malt and some booze. The taste is warming, sweet, and had a firm mid taste of bitter hops. Resiny hop flavor through the finish. Sweet. Full in body. A good, but not great, barley wine.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 05:07:29 | More by Suds

BLACKBEARDNY

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-28-2013 17:25:10 | More by BLACKBEARDNY

PEIhop

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-22-2013 14:10:07 | More by PEIhop

mmsimmons

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-22-2013 01:51:41 | More by mmsimmons

BeerMeBrah

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -2.8%

02-17-2013 15:39:38 | More by BeerMeBrah

kwjd

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +3.6%

02-13-2013 02:48:54 | More by kwjd

BMC

4.25/5  rDev +10.1%

02-10-2013 00:48:22 | More by BMC