Oggi's 1701 Tricentennial Barleywine

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Big brew! Not as balanced as I would hope but huge none the less.

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

Yet another outstanding sample offered up to our little group last night at Tom Nickel's O'Brien's Pub..., rounding out a very enjoyable night full of some truly great ales.

It's easy to see how this won a gold medal at the 2002 World Beer Cup (Barleywine category), since this indeed a world-class Barleywine. Not sure of the age of this bad boy, but needless to say, it was in peak form last night. And after sharing a 22-oz bomber of this with friends, so were we...! :)

A little lighter than what you normally see in a Barleywine. But don't the looks throw you off -- this is no push-over. In fact, just from the aroma you can tell that this is one serious beer, not to be taken lightly. Massive malt prescence from the very first sniff, along with the Tom Nickel signature hop aroma.

Chewy malt, with a piledriver-upside-the-head one-two punch combo of hops and alcohol. "Pleased to me you, hope you guess my name...", indeed!

Once you get past the first onslaught, the going is only somewhat easier. Carry on, and fight the good fight, and you'll be justly rewarded with the nicely warming effect of this hugely massive beer living large and taking charge.

Definately something you need to slow down and savor. A weighty beer that really could be considered the be-all and end-all of the many fine American Barleywines that are coming out of Southern California. Highly recommended.
//TB

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

Tasted at the 2004 Pizza Port Strong Ale Fest Amber brown color. Medium sized white foamy head. Aroma is cinnamon, caramel and malts. A medium to full bodied barley wine. Malts are fruity and sweet, touches of cinnamon and a little oak. There is also some nice spiciness going on here as well. Slightly bitter hops. Very smooth. Touch of molasses. An excellent sipping beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 5 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 8

Definitely a sipping beer. Cloudy brown w/ a yellow head, malty, slightly hoppy, very nice

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Powerful would be an understatement. Hot damn could this stuff bring it. The 1701 sounded historica, so i figured i'd try it, and it was solid. It was swirling alot of flavors at me, but in the end finished good, and thats alright with me.

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

This barley wine pours with a deep amber body topped by a thick head with tons of lacing. The aroma is bitter and hoppy with alcohol esters, a strong pine note, some cinamon, and an underlying foot note. The flavor is slightly sweet yet bitter with piney notes, slight caramel notes and a touch of alcohol. Full bodied, tingly on the tongue and slightly dry.