Tag Archives: barleywine

A.E. Cross Barley Wine Barrel Aged – Last Best Brewing & Distilling

by Mike

From Last Best Brewing & Distilling in Calgary Alberta comes their second ever bottled beer the “A.E. Cross Barley Wine Barrel Aged” the second of their Lineage Series.  This is a 2016 Vintage and has been cellared by the brewery itself until 2018.  The beer pours a deep orange brown colour with an off white head.  For the second release they split the beer into two versions one unoaked and then this one that was barrel aged for 10 Months in Alberta Rye Whiskey Barrels.  The aroma consists of mild oak, dark fruits, stone fruit, brown sugar, caramel, toffee and rye.  The flavour is of oak, dark fruits, cherry, toffee, caramel, grapefruit rind, honey, resin, rye spice, rye whiskey, bitterness and alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.8% with an IBU of 45.  This is a borderline American Barelywine and really enjoyable.  I hope they make more of this in the future.

Commercial Description:  With our 2nd lineage release, we pay homage to a prairie legend with our riff on a classic style. The Alfred Ernest Goss Barley Wine uses locally sourced barley wheat, and rye as a fitting tribute to the founder of Calgary Brewing & Malting and the embodiment of the Last Best West.  We split this release into two: one unoaked and one aged for 10 months in 100% Alberta rye whiskey barrels Layered with subtle, integrated oak and a developing rye spiciness, this beer is characterized by its sweet caramel and barley malt base alcohol warmth, hints of dark fruit and a touch of light malted wheat Serve it at cellar temperature and age for years to come.

Barley Wine (2017 Vintage) – Longwood Brewery

by Mike

From Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery comes their “Barley Wine” a barrel aged beer from the 2017 Vintage.  The beer pours a deep chestnut colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, dark fruits, brown sugar, vanilla and sweetness.  The flavour is of dark fruits, roasted malts, treacle, syrupy, brown sugar, sweetness, earth and some bitterness with some alcohol in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.5% with an IBU of 45.  This was an interesting English Barley Wine and I look forward to trying it again sooner than later.

Commercial Description:  Steeped in lore and tradition, this special annual brew can be enjoyed now or cellared to futher mature.  Mahogany brown with a vast shattering attack of malt, hints of raisin, vanilla and a bitter sweet chocolate finish.  This well aged ale (8 months in oak) is a great finish to any dining experience or simply by itself.  Best enjoyed at cellar temperature.

120 Min IPA – Dogfish Head Brewery

by Mike

From Milton, Delaware’s Dogfish Head Brewery comes their “120 Min IPA”.  The beer pours a very deep cloudy orange with an off white head.  The aroma consists of alcohol, dark fruit, caramel and sweetness.  The flavour is of candi sugar, caramel, toffee, dark fruits, sweetness, bitterness and alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at around 18% with an IBU of 120.  I am a big fan of Barley Wine and this beer is way more of one than it is an IPA.

Commercial Description:  Clocking in at 15-20% ABV, 120 Minute IPA is continuously hopped with a copious amount of high-alpha American hops throughout the boil and whirlpool, and then dry-hopped with another pallet of hops. Unfiltered and abundently hoppy, it’s the Holy Grail for hopheads!  We brew 120 Minute IPA a few times a year, but it goes fast. If you find some grab a few bottles — some to enjoy and some to age.  Every Beer Has A Story…

Barleywine Barrel Aged – Black Bridge Brewery

by Mike

From Black Bridge Brewery in Swift Current Saskatchewan comes their “Barleywine Barrel Aged”.  The beer pours a deep reddish copper with a tan head.  The aroma consists of candied sugar, sweetness, toffee, dark fruits, red wine, oak and vanilla.  The flavour is of dark fruits, candied sugar, red wine, toffee, oak, fairly low bitterness and a mild alcohol burn to finish it off.  The alcohol content comes in at 10.5% with an IBU of 35.  I am a massive fan of Barleywine’s and this one is really enjoyable.  I am glad I was able to pick up a few cans while in Saskatchewan.

Commercial Description: Barrel aged for 10 months in recently emptied red wine barrels. Our Barleywine begins with a beautiful port and wet oak aroma, which translates into a luscious, warming mouthfeel. Lightly carbonated with a strong amount of bitterness to balance out the bold dark cherry, red wine, and brandy flavours.

Scarlet Red Rye Ale (Barley Wine) 2017 – Steamworks Brewing

by Mike

From Steamworks Brewing in Burnaby BC comes their latest release the “Scarlet Red Rye Ale” a Rye Barley Wine that is part of their 2017 Barrel Aged series.  The beer pours a deep reddish colour with an off white head.  The aroma consists of rye malts and rye whiskey, oak, red wine, dark fruits and some sweetness.  The flavour is of  rye malts and whiskey, oak, vanilla, dark fruits, red wine, sweetness, low bitterness and an alcohol note.  The alcohol content comes in at a healthy 9.5%.  This is probably the breweries most complex beer to date and I really enjoyed it.  This beer has some good aging potential also.

Commercial Description:  This robust Rye Barley Wine was carefully aged for months in Woodford Reserve rye barrels resulting in a vibrant red brew we fittingly named Scarlet. With rich flavours and a warming finish, it’s perfect for rainy days.