95 Samuel Adams Longshot Mile High Barley Wine, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 9.8% ABV (2/11)
Deep copper color. Aromas of peach and pineapple marmalades, buttered raisin bread and grilled grapefruit with a supple, chewy, fruity, full body and a molasses, peppery spice, cherry vanilla cola and minerally, grassy hop finish. Rich and decadent.
94 Broad Shoulders Barley wine, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 8.3% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color. Rich toffee and honeyed date toast aromas with a supple, chewy dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and an orange marmalade, nut and grapefruit finish. Delicious and balanced.
93 2008 Old Crustacean Barley Wine Ale, Rogue Ales (OR). 11.5% ABV (2/09)
Reddish mahogany color with a lacy tan head. Caramel apple and chocolate rice crispy aromas follow through on a rich, plush entry to a fruity-sweet medium body with layers of praline, brown sugar, spice and dried fruits. Finishes with a long, chewy orange and peach marmalade fade with lingering resinous hops. A blockbuster barley wine to savor.
93 Mirror Mirror Barley Wine, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 11% ABV (3/10)
Rich aromas of peach marmalade, chocolate phosphate and honeyed raisin bread have a spicy edge and follow through on a round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry full body with waved of chocolate roasted nuts, frittata and grilled citrus. Finishes with a long, lush fruity malt and piney citrus hop fade. Big and brawny, yet graceful.
92 Skullsplitter Barley wine, Orkney Brewery (Scotland). 8.5% ABV (3/10)
Rich aromas of apricot butter cream, brown sugar and pralines follow through on a supple, satiny entry to a fruity medium-full body with great depth and balance. Finishes with a long, fruity, malt driven fade with nuances of custard, roasted nuts, dried citrus and earth. A fantastically complex and highly drinkable barley wine.
92 XVII Anniversary Barley Wine, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 10.4% ABV (2/11)
Deep reddish copper color with a fine taupe head. Rich aromas of baked citrus, caramelized nuts, fig toast and tomato chutney with a round, zesty fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and grilled root vegetable and citrus finish with frisée-like hops. Very tasty.
91 Old Crustacean Barley Wine, Rogue Ales (OR). 11.5% ABV (2/11)
Deep hazy copper color with a light tan head. Aromas of chocolate drizzled raisin scone, grilled grapefruit, praline and pinecone with a chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a zesty, braised root vegetable, cracked pepper and dandelion greens finish.
87 Willi Whammer Barley Wine, Willimantic Brewing Co. (CT). 10.4% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Candied orange peel aromas and flavors with a dusty pine and veggie finish.
87 XV Anniversary Barley Wine, Uinta Brewing Co. (UT). 10.4% ABV (3/09)
Deep reddish mahogany color. Subtle aroma of blackstrap molasses and roasted nuts follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with toffee, hemp rope and burnt rye toast notes. Finishes with a chewy, leafy hop and nut skin fade.
87 Braveheart Barley Wine, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Beautiful reddish cherry wood color. Mild aromas of nuts, porridge, sour cream and honey follow through on a soft, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity full body with baked citrus and spice bark notes. Finishes with bold cocoa and astringent pine bark-like hop fade. A seriously flavorful and bold barley wine.