Central City Brewers + Distillers Thor’s Hammer (2014) American Barleywine at 11.5% ABV | 85 IBU (C$9.64 at NLC Stavanger, 650 ml, packaged on 2-May-2014, acquired 8-Oct-2015, reviewed 14-Aug-2019)
Appearance: clear ruby brown with a short loose ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin ring, minimal lacing. (3/5) Aroma: toffee, dark dried fruits, toasted bread, bourbon, mild nuts, vanilla. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium-full sticky body, low carbonation, bitter slightly astringent warming finish. (3/5)
Just about four years since I bought it, and more than five in the bottle – and it’s still hot, with an astringent edge in the finish. It’s definitely not oxidized (it’s got a great wax seal that took a couple of determined minutes to get through) and it’s been properly cellared its entire life, so I was hoping for an optimal experience here. And to be clear, I’m not exactly gonna complain about getting a bomber of big boozy bastard for under ten bucks. The aroma in particular is decently complex, and layers reveal during extended warming and sipping, but overall it falls short of what I’d call great. Maybe, just maybe, I’m becoming sufficiently sophisticated to no longer automatically rave about high-gravity beers? (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
