Simple Malt Vin d’Orge

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

Pours huge head but dissipates almost immediately. Amber/coppery appearance. Very weak lacing. Aromas of toffee, hints of nuts and bready malts. Flavours are roasted barley malts, some spices are quite apparent. Toffee and caramel in the finish. Mouthfeel is somewhat weak, sort of a rust like feel. Not too bad but was expecting something much stronger. Quite mild and didn't do much for me.

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

Second Quebec barleywine of the night (the other being the "Corps Mort" from À l'Abri de la Tempête). This one though is half the price of the other. Oh wow ! As soon as I pour it, a beautiful pine-needle scent from the hop enlightens my nose. The colour of the brew is a dark red-brown clear colour with a nice big beige head that stays longer than the other and leaves about the same lace. I also find caramel malt in the back of the hop and notes of nuts. Smooth mouthfeel as well, without any alcohol burns. Becomes a bit hazy near the end, for the final pour. Again, the hop overpowers the malt in the taste. Nothing wrong here, but you got to like the hop in barleywines to enjoy this one.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Bottle: Poured a copper color ale with a medium size foamy head with OK retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of sweet malt with caramelized sugar and light toffee with some astringent hops. Taste of sweet malt with traces of caramel and toffee is very interesting though I am not as big on the hoppy side of things – I prefer barleywine geared towards malt instead of hops. Body is about average full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Well made though a bit too hoppy for my taste.