Brewsters Brewing Company Blue Monk Barleywine (2015) American Barleywine at 10% ABV | 65 IBU (C$9.99 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 28-Sep-2015, reviewed 7-Dec-2016)
Appearance: clear medium amber with one fat finger of rocky light beige head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: orange peel, bready caramel malt, dark fruit, resin. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-full slightly slick body, soft carbonation, lingering bitter and warming finish. (4/5)
A decent implementation of the style: the double-digit alcohol is definitely present, but not solventy or excessively hot, and there are pleasant citrus, dark fruit, and hop notes present. I suspect the year’s cellaring has helped mellow this out, and in any case certainly hasn’t hurt. I’m interested to see how the bourbon barrel-aged version of this compares. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
