# 100 - Nøgne Ø - Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/S

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.6/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A great barleywine - more in line with the English style than American. Big malt, of course, loads of caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and shortbread. Bitterness stands its ground against the malt blitz. Hops are earthy, spicy, and freshly bitter. A hint of fruit from the yeast softens the thick flavors. Nice dryness keeps it super-drinkable. Yeah, this would do the trick in a cold Scandinavian winter, but it's equally good at standing up to a thick ribeye steak.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 22:09:59 | More by bump8628

yemenmocha

Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours like a dark porter or stout - almost opaque black with tan/brown head. Head lasts longer than many other barleywines I've sampled lately.

Nose has dark chocolate, raisin, dark fruit, Betty Crocker chocolate cake mix. Some citrus is there too, but nicely with the "sweeter" aromas described above... maybe a citrus icing?

On the palate a big malt, roasted malt, and chocolatey sweet punch is there, but the hops rush in to give it balance. Also reminds me of Meyer's Dark Rum, molasses of course, and some wood. What is absent is any sort of alcohol presence that would suggest the 10% abv. This beer is stealthy when it comes to drinkability, so beware.

Finish is long with a pleasant caramel taste.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2008 03:26:57 | More by yemenmocha

nickfl

Florida

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with two fingers of light brown head on top of a black body with ruby highlights. The rocky head has quite a bit of staying power and when it finally settles, it leaves a small ring of lace and a film of bubbles on the surface of the beer.

S - Classic barleywine aroma of raisiny, caramel malt and spicy hops. Notes of raisins, figs, caramel, vanilla, pepper, and citrus.

T - Luscious, bitter hop flavors out in front, carefully balanced by dark caramel and chocolate malt flavors and dark raisin/ fig character. There is a lot of fruit in the middle, some of it surprisingly bright, caramel apple, banana, and raisin. It fades into a long, bitter, burnt finish. The lingering bitterness is surprisingly split equally between malt and hops and includes some smokey, tobacco like flavors along with a warming alcohol note.

M - Smooth, creamy texture with moderate carbonation and just the right amount of lingering sweetness.

D - I expected a lot from this beer, based on previous efforts from Nogne O, and it really delivered. Quite an interesting example of a barleywine, at times it seems like a classic example, but at other moments it reminds me of an imperial stout or even a quadruple (this is the 3rd Nogne beer I have had, and in my book these guys are good enough to be officially exempt from style guidelines). In any case, this is a complex and superbly balanced beer that is extremely easy to sip.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2008 07:51:25 | More by nickfl

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Heard about this beer on the brewing network! So snagged it when I saw it at Brewery Creek and Vancouver.

A - Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights, and a ton of beige head. Great retention.
S - Smells great too, lots of dark roast, chocolate, cofee and charcoal. Also malty and sweet with a citrus hop. Great complex nose, last time I had a nose this good was with the Orval Trappist.
T - Superb for such a strong ale. Malty and sweet caramel. Nutty and biscuit notes, with coffee and chocolate, and citrus hops.
M - Full bodied for sure, but still nice and smooth. Nice balance with the bitterness as well. Surprisingly easy to drink despite the 10% price tag.
O - A fantastic beer.

Check this out for an interview with the brewer and a recipe!:
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/606

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2011 02:52:07 | More by IllNate

scottoale

California

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Retired...I'm thinking not. It seems to me this brew #100 is still being produced, seasonally at least.

From the 500ml. brown long-neck, pours a very dark brown ale with a strong two-finger plus head of tan. Good carbonation and head retention keep the looks alive, heavy sticky lace adds a nice touch as well.

Evergreen sweet with a heavy earthy malt nose, upwell with authority. Big fruty bouquet with lots of hops and a ton of malt, are very apparent. Really smells delicious.

Evergreen hops start things off sweet, then back down to let the malts take over. The middle is caramelly and then wham, the hops kick in some serious bitterness that lingers for a while. The alcohol is pushing through all the while, giving this brew a huge flavor burst from start to finish. Although the body is lighter than heavy, the flavors come through very strong and very tasty.

A very big quality ale, that can hold it's own to any barleywine put up against it. I recommend this beauty to any barleywine fiend. Age should further enhance this brew, worth cellaring.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2008 06:29:11 | More by scottoale

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pitch black with only the slightest of mahogany edges when held to a light source and a massive three finger frothy, pillowy coffee colored head. Excellent retention, only slowly fading into a thick cap that coats the glass with chunks of soapy lacing.

Very malty aroma with deep roasted coffee bean, hazelnut, chocolate and sweet alcohol notes. There are also some subtle hops but I'm really surprised so far how malt this beer looks and smells. Much more like a stout than barleywine.

The motuhfeel is extremely rich, resinous and chewy and the flavor is again dominated by a strong malt character. Lots of roasted chocolate malt, coffee bean, hazelnut and sweet alcohol. Again, some subtle hops shine through but this beer is extremely malty with plenty of roasted notes. There is a bit of sweet alcohol flavor and warmth but overall the alcohol is excellently masked resulting in an extremely drinkable beer.

To me this beer is much closer to an Imperial Stout than a barleywine in pretty much every aspect.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 21:37:07 | More by corby112

voteforgoat

California

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

got it as a gift - thanks tony!

a - slightly cloudy, dark golden brown color. nice head, not much lacing, but long-lasting pleasant amount of carbonation

s- very appealing, hops, "dark fruit/raisins" whatever that means.

t- smooth barley wine, has very roasty taste and coffee notes. . reminds me of a stout but it is def. still a barley wine. very fun to drink.

m- nice thickness and light frothiness.

d- i could drink this for a while. the alcohol is very well masked, exceptionally well-masked even. this could be a treacherous drink.

the cost is holding me back from stock piling this beer. That's the reason I've never bought it. I would love to have some of these sitting around in my house.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2010 05:49:11 | More by voteforgoat

danieelol

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Despite what's written on RB (that the brewery claims this is a DIPA) it clearly isn't based on the colour alone. It's got the black-brown of an old ale and when you get to the nose it's even more apparent just how much rich, thick malt is in there.

The pour is fantastic. Truly insane amounts of lacing coming off this thing. Good head too.

The aroma has malt in the form of rye and carob, and some yummy tangerine/orange hops. Like Cointreau with chocolate. Yer, the "Cointreau" part means there's some alcohol too. This is a classy nose. Later on the nose becomes even more inviting, increasing in hop complexity with a sourdough yeast backing.

Similar stuff in the taste with the alcohol unfortunately being slightly more present. I mean it's still easy to deal with, and the kisses of residual sugar help to balance it out. The citrusy hop juice/malt/alcohol/sweetness/bitterness is pretty well balanced here for a 10%er, with a rather receding bitterness. While it's not a DIPA, it is inarguably a hoppy barleywine.

Mouthfeel varies. It can be thin; at its best it's thick and loaded with hop resins- truly amazing.

Overall this beer is excellent. Highly recommended. Pretty classic American-style barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 11:02:55 | More by danieelol

Ch1mpy

Sweden

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A pretty dark reddish brown with brown head.

Hoppy smell with intense citrus fruits. But also a decent amount of malt aromas.

Taste has a complex hoppiness to it with pine and grape fruit flavours.

Rough, intense mouthfeel. Brilliant, but perhaps a little weak in the finish.

Very, very drinkable. Easily the best beer I had on new years eve.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2009 21:34:16 | More by Ch1mpy

ndolover

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

First off this is not an American Style Barley Wine...but that doesn't mean it is not great!

A: A bit cloudy and murky...tons of yeast at the bottom of the bottle. Dark brown with a nice brown collar that clings to the glass.

S: Roasty malt backbone with up front hop aroma consisting of citrus American hops, cascade, simcoe, etc. Noticed pinabpple, and as it warms grapefruit.

T: Fresh hop burst surrounds a nice roasty malt flavor, chocolate, biscuit, and bread notes dance nicely.

M: Warm, medium body with nice carbonation, I love the bottle condition and it seemed to have traveled well!

D: Overall a wonderful beer to drink! I would think of this as an American black IPA instead of a Barley wine. GET THIS BEER!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2010 01:14:57 | More by ndolover

faernt

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer has a unique, beguiling flavor. The flavors are so well blended that it's difficult for me to pull them apart. Good head, good color...it meets Barleywine standards. The edge is in the blended flavor. I hope to find more of it here in Chicago.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2009 03:05:56 | More by faernt

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep, dark, thick brown pour with lots of activity carrying up the tan top to a tall inch of puffy fresh foam that fades at a fairly faster then expected pace. But thats OK as it leaves large stretchy patches of lace and a big skim of tan residue always present. The color sits a nearly coffee black and deceptively opaque. A great looking barleywine, albiet not the typical tawny brown color one would normally associate a BW, but this is Nogne and they seem to have a tendency to push it a bit and create the effect of a stout instead.

Aroma is fairly roasty with that certain malty roundedness in some toffee, caramel, and a bit of raisin. Hops are deeply noted on larger wiffs with a dark piney influence mixed with a newly charred hop field of burnt hop cone edges. Good amount of alcoholic breath seeps its way thru as its cinders in the glass.

Flavors are all twisted up in a fine amount of hoppy pineyness and dark orange pith, tang, and peel. Malts balance it out with some nice roastyness, chocolate hints, toffee, caramel, snappy fresh barley grain with a toasted quickness that never retreats from the palate as the hops take the tongue and scrap across any open areas left with pine and orange biten bitterness. Semi brittle dry finish with a nice hop load balancing off with a bit of residual warmth. Notes of raisin skins and vanilla flow in and out in the middle. Ends nice and hoppy with a dryness reminiscent of toasted orange peels...as if there were such a thing.

Feel is smooth and big with a nicely handled approach to the hops as its bitterness is suited just right with enough zip and lasting impression as the malt keep it all together maintaining one fine tuned addition of toasted roast and caramel goodness.

Nearly gone in no time flat. Way too drinkable for 10%. Much like other great Barleywines, this stuff hits ya late and the next thing you know you can't remember where you put your glass as you try to find your slippers so you can go to bed. Nogne has another yummy winner with this one!

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2007 03:56:24 | More by tavernjef

tpd975

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to my RB buddy fishingnet for this gem.

A: Nice chestnut brown hue with a solid half finger head. The retention is nice and the lace is spotty but thick.

S: This one has a bit of age, but the aromas are still wonderful. Nice biscuity malt married to tons of fresh citrus, pine, and floral hops.

T: Dark malts are used and the roast really comes thru in the taste. Tons of citrus and piney hops yield to malty goodness. The malts are roasty and sweet. Hints of brown sugar and molasses can be noted. Really well crafted brew.

M: Full bodied and thick. Ample carbonation and well hidden ABV.

D: Nice drinking beer. Wish I had a bomber of my own. Fishing net brews, and stated he would attempt a clone of this one. I can't wait.

Overall: Wonderful drinking beer that is a tad bit lighter than your average barleywine. It's a tasty brew that is rather drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2008 20:50:39 | More by tpd975

WesWes

New York

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a translucent brown color with a thick frothy offwhite head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is awesome! Wow, what a great hop nose. It has a tremendous citrus character that's complimented with a light caramel malt aroma. The taste is great as well! The aroma really translated to the taste. It's a hop bomb for sure with mostly pale malts and a hint of caramel/chocolate for complexity. There is a bit of yeast fruitiness that mixes well with the hops. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a terrific barleywine. It's highly drinkable and has a lovely hop character. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2009 00:47:18 | More by WesWes

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had an opportunity to have a couple of glasses of this last night at a buddy's. My favorite beer of the night by far. This is a big beer, but the balance was unreal.

Pours a deep dull dark shoe polish brown color with a tan head that rises about a finger and a half. The head has excellent retention and slowly settles back into the beer. Surprised by the amount of lacing.

Aroma was your next hint that this was a BIG beer. Huge Pine, citrus, sweet malts.. Just fantastic.

As mentioned above. The balance here is quite amazing. Brown sugar, pine resin, molasses, dark caramel. Excellent hop bitterness in the finish. I thought the ABV was well hidden.

Thick, robust body and huge presence in your mouth.

Just a great American Barleywine (from Norway!)

I will definitely grab another bottle or two of this gem.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2009 14:42:03 | More by Reagan1984

Gavage

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: black in color with a 1" dark tan colored head that lasts quite a while for a barleywine.

Smell: big roasted malt tones, with some softer chocolate and alcohol tones.

Taste: roasted malts, licorice, milder bitter chocolate, caramel, plums, and a soft earthy tone rounds it out. Alcohol is noticeable and the hop bitterness balances ou tthe malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel: crisp and warming throughout. Heavy in body. Long aftertaste as the flavors seem to stick to the tongue for a while.

Drinkability: this is a very drinkable barleywine as this bottle went down fairly quickly. Try this one, but it is expensive.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2007 13:05:55 | More by Gavage

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nearly opaque pecan shell brown with generous russet accents. The toasted peanut shell crown was massive after a pour that was more vigorous than intended. The creamy foam looks fantastic as it melts and the upper part of the glass is completely blanketed with finely stippled lace. This is a darker than normal barleywine... and a gorgeous one.

The dark color comes from the use of chocolate malt, which isn't really appreciated in the nose. The beer smells dark and rich, it just doesn't smell chocolate or cocoa-like. There's plenty of medium-dark fruit and a wonderful citric hoppiness due to the American hop bill that includes Columbus, Chinook and Centennial.

With a lineup like that (and a brewery like Nogne) #100 was bound to be delicious. With respect to doppelbocks and barleywines, the darker and richer the better, as far as I'm concerned. The chocolate malt in this brew is the key to its complexity. The outstanding choice of hops doesn't hurt. Nor does the fact that a ton of them were used.

This bottle is an estimated one year of age and the lupulins and alpha acids are still kicking like a mule. This may be the 'darkest' barleywine that I've had to date. Flavors include dark caramel, bittersweet chocolate, raisins, figs, candied cherries and a whole heaping helping of white grapefruit zest. No more waffling, the taste score is a bona fide 4.5.

Although the mouthfeel is a fraction lighter than I prefer, it's amazingly silky smooth and fills the mouth with each sip. Besides, it becomes increasingly chewy with warming and makes the beer a cinch to drink, either quickly or slowly. I'd recommend the latter.

Nogne is one my favorite European (never mind Scandanavian) breweries. Some of their offerings (Imperial Stout and Porter) are extraordinary. I think we can add #100 Barley Wine-Style Ale to the list. This is an ass-kicking beer, it's as simple as that.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2009 15:05:17 | More by BuckeyeNation

Gehrig

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As I perused the Savoy Friar Tuck, I realized that I had yet to try anything from Nogne. Having read very good things about it, I figured that a foray into this Scandinavian powerhouse was long overdue. As my first selection, I grabbed #100, since I love American Barleywine. After this, #100 has only enhanced my appreciation of the style, and begun my fondness for Nogne.

Although only a 16.9 oz. bottle, it didn't fit inside the Duvel tulip glass, bubbling up to generate a three-finger tan head over a deep brown, incandescent body. It may well be the darkest barleywine I've had, utterly sans highlights. Good head duration and lacing; excellent start.

The nose, though enticing, is too subtle for me. Hints of chocolate, caramel, and ample hops emerge, but this would be much better served with a bolder aroma. Yet the taste more than makes up for any perceived deficiencies in the smell. Full of dark chocolate, biting hops, roasted toffee, and butterscotch, this fits the bill without question. An excellent barleywine, nicely balanced, and delicious, #100 begins with a hop flourish, and finishes heavy on the malt. The start is almost sour in taste and well-hopped in texture, but the finish is much smoother, a good indication of the chocolate and caramel malts working their charm.

Excellent stuff, #100 is not only a splendid barleywine, but a tremendous introduction to this highly touted Norwegian brewery. This will be not be the last time I enjoy #100, nor sample Nogne's wares.

Outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 22:36:02 | More by Gehrig

GClarkage

California

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

09/17/09- Generously shared with BA member Talisker.

Presentation- 16.9oz bottle (I think), poured into a Duvel tulip. Freshness not noted.

Appearance- Very deep chestnut brown. Not real far from a stout color. Full 3/4 inch staying head with some lace caking around the glass when finished.

Smell- Fresh hoppy aromas, a nice chocolate malted base followed by a nice gently roasted caramel nose.

Taste- Flavor is spot on the nose. Hops are equal to the malt, which are both pretty heavy, but combine oh so nicely. Hops are fairly bitter and lightly harsh at times, but the smoothness of the caramel-chocolate malt calms that area down.

Mouthfeel- Nice medium to lower carbonation level. Active bitterness in the aftertaste.

Drinkability- Nice mix between and English and American Barleywine. Thumbs up all the way.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 20:36:06 | More by GClarkage

brentk56

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a tawny, almost cola brown color with a magnificent head that sits atop the liquid and refuses to budge, just gradually slipping down in size while leaving clumps of foam stickage

Smell: Rich malty aroma, with wafts of caramel, tobacco, mint and citrus pith

Taste: The addition of the chocolate malt creates a chocolate mint character to the caramel and raisin toast malt bill; by mid-palate, the pith and pine adds a nice hoppy dimension; after the swallow, the flavors merge together and provide a nice balance between the big malt bill and the bitter hops

Mouthfeel: Full body with moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet but the alcohol is not at all hot

Drinkability: A really nice beer that shows off the chocolate malt in a unique fashion that really works when blended with the English malts, the wheat and the American hops

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2010 01:52:20 | More by brentk56

joecast

Australia

4.4/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Deep mahogany purple sort of like a dark dark Belgian. Thin lightly tanned head. Can't get over that color. Spectacular. Slight haze but just fascinating.

Barley wine? Really? Seriously hoppy citrus with a big dose of alcohol sweetness. No doubting this beer is robust with the aroma acting as a warning signal to the taste buds.

The bitter smack in the mouth smooths over slightly as it warms. At first it hits like a good DIPA. The malt staying in the background while the hops take you for a bitter and twisted ride. Once warmed the bitterness is joined by a lightly toasted and caramel malt sweetness. Fantastic, two beers in one. The lasting bitterness continues to pay homage to the glory of the hop. Yes, if Ruination was a barley wine, this would be it.

Mouth feel remains a little sharp even once warmed but the weight is spot on.

Drinkability? Off the scale. I honestly don't care about the minor mouthfeel issue. The IPA bent in the aroma? Fine by me. This beer has what a barley wine should be. Huge character on both malt and hop fronts. Best beer I've had in while. Thank you Nogne O.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 04:50:19 | More by joecast

ElGordo

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 500ml bottle into a Maudite snifter. Body is a deep garnet color with a small tan head. Wonderful aroma of spicy floral hops, sweet malt, a hint of caramel and dark cherry, and a good whiff of alcohol. Palate is sweet and malty up front, becoming a bit better balanced as the hops emerge before the swallow. A flourish of sweetness occurs on the swallow, followed by a rich, slightly smoky finish that lingers on for quite a while. Notes of dark cherry, caramel, and brown sugar come through at various points.
The body is smooth and a touch creamy, rather round around the edges for a big barleywine. Quite nice. This is a highly drinkable big beer, although there's no mistaking its strength. Good stuff from an excellent emerging brewery.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2008 06:49:53 | More by ElGordo

Wasatch

Utah

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip a nice dark brown color, nice carbonation, awesome fuckn' head, never seen a head like this from a BW, two-finger creamy tannish head, tons of sticky lacing and islands through out the drink. The nose is big on malts, very slight dark fruits, slight toffee, with some caramel. The taste is sweet, malty, fruity/caramel. Medium body. The alcohol is hidden very well with this brew. Very drinkable, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2008 23:51:58 | More by Wasatch

100floods

California

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I got two of these puppies the second City Beer put out a scandinavian section. I opened one up not know what to expect, and i was please. The second one I ages for probably 6-7 months (it doesn't need intense aging). Norwegians, despite the fact that their still trying to find their place, know how to make a good brew. The same characteristics from the fresher version hold true to the aged version. Chocolate aroma, light sugary taste, mellow hop flavor. This beer is a good 'chillum' barley wine. It's got all the characteristics of a west coast BW, but it's not a punch in the face (like big foot). This beer wants you to relax, but enjoy the flavor full on. I hope this beer shows up more often. It's a keeper.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2008 04:42:12 | More by 100floods

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Retired.

A: Poured a dark, opaque caramel/cola with a creamy moderate beige head that left a good lacing.

S: a sweet roasted malt character, fresh pine, and some citrus.

T: warm and biscuity, with some dried citrus and soft roasted malt notes. There were some light whiskey cask notes sneaking through in the background as well as some dark chocolate, pine, and light sweet molasses. Some dry pine, dark roasted malt provide a nice closing before fading quickly and clean. The flavor is extraoridinary smooth, earthy and well balanced from start to finish.

M: silky and smooth with a soft palate and some dry bittering Columbus hops coming through similar to an Anderson valleys hop ottin but more tame.

D: The flavor was very refined, and soft making for an incredible drinkability factor. Quite possibly the smoothest and most refined barleywine style ive ever had. An incredible recommend.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2008 22:21:15 | More by beerthulhu