Brewed in 2005, oak-aged for about 20 months and bottled in October 2006; limited to 2837 bottles (837 for Switzerland and 2000 for the US market).
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (9/15/2008 9:36:34 PM)
"Very lightly carbonated, a vigorous pour towards the end of the pour scares up a quickly disappearing, frothy, at most half-finger thick, tan colored head. The beer is a dark, red-plum color that shows a red stained, amber color when held up to the light. The aroma has a light tartness to it as well as a Sauvignon Blanc like grape fruitiness along with a nice barrel influence that takes the form of soft vanillin notes, and some spicy oak character. Berry flavors reminiscent of a merlot are noticeable at times in the nose as well. There is a light funkiness here that provides a touch of mustiness, some cured moldy leather notes and a faint yet fruity cheese note. There is definitely a bit of alcohol noticeable here in the aroma too and it provides a touch of heat.
Lightly carbonated, with just a hint of a carbonic prickle. The beer is fairly light, certainly for a beer of this strength, and only has a medium heft to it. There is a light, grape-like sweetness to this beer that is not quite offset by a light tartness in the finish. A bit of alcohol, spicy & tannic oak, and spicy esters provide a touch of bitterness and piquancy to the finish that lingers into a very soft, throat coating burn. This picks up a lightly concentrated, jam-like fruit note that reminds me of a combination of sweet black cherries, blackberries and a rich currant note. This picks up a sweet nuttiness as it warms up, though it does not actually gain any sweetness (in fact it probably gets less so), it is just that it picks up a nut meat sweetness.
While not overly heavy, this is somehow a sipping beer. It really reminds me a lot of a fruity, berry focused, oak aged red wine of some sort (with a touch of tartness thrown in). An interesting beer that is for sure, the slight carbonation makes it seem that much more wine-like. This is definitely a good sipping beer, I certainly wouldn’t want to have to finish a bottle by myself."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[2] Review by Vac from San Diego, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (2/1/2008 2:35:06 PM)
"Pours with a cloudy, deep amber-brown body topped by a thin bubly/soapy head with no lacing. The aroma is sour, tart and vinious with some underlying funk and a slight floral note. The flavor is slightly sour, tart and vinious with underlying vanilla and oak notes as well as a little funk. Light bodied crisp and dry."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
4/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by beerguy101 from Newark, CA, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/30/2007 10:34:57 PM)
"First off this is way more a Flemish sour than a Barley wine. This “Barley Wine” pours a copper bronze color from a 750ml bottle. Small to no head. Aroma is tart and funky, a touch of oak. Medium bodied ale. Malts are fruity and funky. Tart and vinous. Cherries, hop bitterness, some oak and a lot of funk. Interesting, A little under carbonated . Hides the alcohol very well. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and crisp. Aftertaste is slightly bitter."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by Stoutlover72 from Northern, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/16/2007 8:59:59 PM)
"NorCal tasting July 07 - I honestly didn't "get" this beer. An English Barleywine? Where? This reminded more of a Flemish Sour than a barleywine. An aroma of sour cherries, tart apples, and a touch of brown sugar. Appearance was dirty copper in color. Pucking mouthfeel (like sucking on an aspirin). Flavor was oak, sour like chewing on a spoonful of grapeskins, subtle fruit flavors like cherries and apples are also present. Definitely a head scratcher, and while I did enjoy it I don't think it was anything phenomenal. Good, but different."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[5] Review by bfeldmann from Wilmington, DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (7/13/2007 1:00:51 PM)
"After the first few taste i thought i had the 06 flemish sour bottle. Poured a dark orange color okay head average lacing. Aroma was of graps and other light fruits. Flavor was of light fruits spices some woodyness. Good beer just not what i was expecting."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(3.5)
