Yo-Ho Yona Yona Barley Wine

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

Bottle courtesy of Cletus: Poured a cloudy amber color ale with a small foamy head with good retention but minimal lacing. Aroma of sweet malt with some nice notes of dry figs and plums. Taste is also dominated by some sweet malt that are well balanced and avoid any overly sweet notes with some complex notes of toffee and dry fruits. Light dry hoppy finish with no apparent alcohol. Body is quiet full with limited filtration and some low carbonation. Very well done but could be more complex in terms of palate.

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

Vintage 2002, Sampled October 2006
This beer is thoroughly thick and viscously and pours with a brilliantly clear, dark, ruby red color. It is topped by a frothy, quarter-finger thick, tan colored head that disappears fairly quickly to a wispy ring. Chewy notes of caramelized grain and mellowed hops intermingle in the nose. There are some notes of sweet citrus that are still lingering around in the nose even after all this time. Notes of toasted grain, caramelized brown sugar coated biscuits, raisins, subtle cherry and round out the rich malt components. There is a touch of alcohol towards the finish, which adds a bit of warming to my nasal pathway. This beer has quite a contemplative nose, it has aged quite gracefully, and only has touches of oxidation, which at this point, only add to the complexity of the nose.

Quite mellow and smooth up front up front, yet it finishes with a solid hop bite that I was expecting. Heavily caramelized grain notes, yet without being all that sweet. Actually caramelized may be too specific, actually this seems to have a whole suite of Maillard flavor components to it; caramelized sugars certainly, but also touches of brown sugar, meaty complex sugars, and dark fruit notes. Still quite hoppy after all this time; notes of grapefruit, berries, a solid herbal note and a noticeable, astringent bitterness that lingers on in the finish.

Definitely a tasty tipple, this is certainly a beer that has held up well over time. In fact I would say that the entirety of this beer is certainly greater than the sum of its parts. This has aged quite gracefully, and seems to be at a point in its flavor profile that is just about peaking (at least to my taste buds, which like a well aged Barleywine). This is one of those beers that the more I work my way through this glass, the more I am enjoying it. It certainly did not start out this good, but is finishing incredibly strong.

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

NorCal tasting June '07 - Well I can definitely say I've never had a Japanese barleywine until now. Hell, I didn't even know they made one! To be honest, it wasn't half-bad either. Aroma was really oxidized, wet paper and the like. Caramel malts was buried under the oxidation landslide and a bit fruity. Appearance was a dark sandy brown, minimal head. Medium-bodied on the palate. Flavor was also more oxidation, caramel malts and a tad bit of fruit. Nothing complex, nothing to wow me. A simple barleywine is about what it is.

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

Orange gold color. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and citrusy. A medium to light bodied barley wine. Malts are fruity and sweet. Touch of caramel. Very sweet. Lots of alcohol notes. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish si clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. Thanks to Dr Bill for sharing this one with the group.

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

Big thanks to Dr. Bill for sharing this at the Pizza Port Strong Ale fest. The best way I could describe this is a 'light' barleywine. Nice tasting, but not complex in flavors nor 'big'. It was good, but not great