Brewsters Brewing Company Blue Monk Barleywine (2016) American Barleywine at 10% ABV | 60 IBU (C$4.70 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Dec-2016, reviewed 9-Jul-2017)
Appearance: clear medium amber with one 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)
I intended to drink this while it was still relatively fresh, to establish a baseline for the second one, which I’ll cellar for a couplethree years. Eh – close enough. Hardly surprising, but it’s pretty similar to the year-old 2015 I tried late last year. It might be a touch smoother, actually, despite being younger. Definitely an easier-drinking example of the style. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
