Drake's Ryewine

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

On tap at the Hopyard, Pleasanton back in October. It poured a clear copper-ish red with a thin white head. It was served a bit on the cold side. The aroma is subdued – sleepy. I get sweet sugar malts, cherry hard candy, dark fruitiness that leans toward the light side and a note of alcohol. The alcohol nose is almost nothing considering the ABV. It comes off thick and viscous, how I prefer a barleywine, ushering in a brief muted wood note followed by sweet fruitiness like stewed cherries, plums and sweet dark grapes. A rye malt twang arrives about midway and plays beautifully against the fruity sweetness. Toward the finish a dryer red wine flavor wells up to aid the rye malts in fighting off the syrupy sweet fruitiness. Wow, awesome. The more I consume the more I like it.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Tasted on tap at the 2007 Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival. This Barley wine poured a light orange gold color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity, citrusy, caramel and sweet. A medium to full bodied barley wine. The malts are fruity and sweet. Touch of rye flavors, most notable at the finish. The hops are earthy. It’s a little meadish in nature and very sweet, but it works. It is a little alcohol hot, but not bad for 14.8%. Nice balance. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is sweet.