12 oz single from Hop City, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Poured into the DFH signature glass, the beer pours a very attractive color (a copper/garnet body) but has a somewhat disappointing head with only a tiny amount of retention. A small film forms on the surface of the beer with a tiny, white collar. It lacks the richness and noisy pour of the best beers in the style.
Nose offers an aroma that I would characterize as a fruity, American DIPA effect. Some alcohol.
The tastes reflect the nose, BUT there is more fruit than hops, and also a certain acidity. Strange combination of tastes that alternates between working well in one mouthful and not combining quite so nicely in the next. Just when you think this is going to be a fruity, American strong ale, the hops quickly kick in with a large amount of dry character and make the beer quite bitter. Definitely some American Barleywine character but it never gets REALLY aggressive (as is often the case for the style). American Barleywine “lite”??
To be fair, the beer DOES remind me of an Arrogant Bastard, but it’s nowhere near as good, as drinkable or as smooth. It’s too edgy (and not in a good way) and it lacks a refined, classy presence. A boozy, dry finish as well that delivers some warmth on the way down.
It IS tasty, but it’s a beer that seems to ultimately fail to get its act together properly and leaves me hanging. just seems like it never got finished correctly.