Wild Rose Barley Wine

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

Not a huge barleywine fan and this is no exception. Wild Rose's newest beer is a huge whallop of alcohol, and just a mediocre beer. A deep dark brown pour with a half inch head that quickly recedes. The aroma is roasted and caramel malts, some spiciness, and alcohol. The taste is not as sweet as other barleywines, but a bit weak in the malt profile as well. Again, one can taste the alcohol.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

Dark brown body ½” tan cap massive made up of massive planet sized bubbles. Lacing was sticky and roapy. Coffee aroma with think smoky soya sauce but not in a pungent way like in some other beers. Actually the aroma comes across kind of mild. Highly drinkable B-wine only because it’s not that intense, it’s not the kick to the face of flavor I was hoping for. I’m tasting all the correct B-wine flavors, woody alcohol, dark fruit, heavy thick malts, some cheery and even some pepper, but all seems empty and thin. Hops show up at the end leaving a lingering bitter in the mouth. If I was just rating this as a beer it would be a 3.5 easily but as a B-wine its bellow average 2.4ish so I think I’ll have to play with my numbers a little here. And oh ya its way over priced.

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

2009 release, bottle cellared 7 months, courtesy of fellow malt-head Doug. Greatly appreciated man! Pours a dark copper brown with red highlights, small cap goes to a ring quickly, modest carbonation. Aroma is demure and undeveloped; some caramel sweetness, dark fruits, cocoa, fusel alcohol. Big whack of caramel and crystal malts in the front, fruits piney hop undertone lets malts forward. Finish is long and wet and slightly sweet and boozey. Pleasant departure from the style. This is an unpretentious 3 dimensional big beer. Undeveloped...needs cellar time.