Smuttynose Barleywine Style Ale
Found: State Line Liquor
Price: Around 6 dollars a bottle
Website: http://www.smuttynose.com
What the company says: Our Barleywine is rich and malty, with hints of fruity esters and a well-hopped finish. Enjoy this hearty ale with fresh fruit and ripe cheese on a cold winter’s night, or lay it up and savor it with a friend for a special summer treat.
What I say: What I’ve learned from these guys is that they don’t mess around with the brews they put in their Big Beer series. Most of them are just fantastic and this is another great one in the line. I’m really starting to love Barleywines. In the beginning of my journey with this type of beer I just couldn’t get into them but now I just love them. This isn’t any different, while not my favorite ever, it’s quite good.
The Look: Deep Orange color with very little head. Head laces the glass.
What the nose thought: Big candy like caramel front end. Hop bitterness in the background. A very sweet smell
And the tastebuds?: This isn’t as big of a barleywine as say my favorite Gnarlywine from Lagunita’s but the good news is it still tastes fantastic. I’d put it in the same class as the barleywines from Great Divide and Southern Tier. Like the smell you get the nice caramel malt taste with a good amount of piney bitter hops. The fruit taste in this one mixes in well. There is a bit of an alcohol taste lingering within but it really doesn’t get int he way. Everything is balanced nicely but might be a bit muted.
The feel: Smooth, creamy and full bodied.
Ending notes: I would definitely recommend this one but I might recommend a few other’s in front of it. Yet another good beer from Smuttynose. Now to find their Farmhouse Ale.
Rating: B
I’ve passed on this one a zillion times, always curious how good it was. I never suspected it was a masterpiece, but glad to hear it’s pretty decent.
Yeah man it’s decent. Gnarlywine and Old Guardian are my favorites. By the way. I’ll be getting 5 Lost Abbey brews in soon with Blind Pig IPA among some others. Yes I’m paying out of the ass for shipping but I feel this is the only way to try these brews. They were sold out of Pliny. Blah!
I may have another Pliny bottle soon and I will let you know.
Would be fantastic, then I can mark one off my list =)