Central City Brewers + Distillers Thor’s Hammer (2014) – American Barleywine at 11.5% ABV | 85 IBU (C$10.25 at NLC Kelsey Drive, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 11-Dec-2016, reviewed 25-Jun-2020)
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)
Probably (hell, hopefully) my last kick at that cat for this one, which I previously reviewed in 2017 and 2019 – this time with an additional year of cellaring, and also accompanied by its bourbon barrel aged variant, to follow shortly. This is now over six years in the bottle, and much like last year is still hot, with a slightly astringent edge in the finish. As was the case last year, the aroma is decently complex, and layers reveal during extended warming and sipping, but there hasn’t really been any further development. Bottom line: it’s clear that no amount of ageing is going to make this into something it isn’t – but what it is, is a big boozy bastard that isn’t too hard to drink. You could do worse. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
