Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (2015) American Barleywine at 9.6% ABV (US$3.57 at Specs Main Houston, 355 ml, bottle date 11-Dec-2014, acquired 23-Jan-2016, reviewed 6-Jun-2016)
Appearance: opaque medium to deep amber with a short, short-lived ivory head, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: boozy dark fruit, toffee, citrus zest, pine resin. (8/10) Taste: high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Medium-full slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, sticky lingering bitter and warming finish. (4/5)
An extremely interesting ale. Initially, the malt and alcohol aromas overwhelm, and seem to be all there is to it, but very rapidly the huge American-style hops kick in, turning your mouth into the scene of a total battle royale. No sooner does the sweet malt invade, than it’s jumped on by the massive hops. Although it’s hugely sweet (and actually finishes a little sticky), it never gets cloying, simply because the resiny and citrus zest bitter never lets it. You know how people make pomanders by sticking cloves in an orange? Think that, except pine needles instead of cloves, then crusting the whole thing in brown sugar. (16/20)
My 227th from the 2010 Edition (216th from the 2013 edition), and 238th combining both editions.
8/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
