22oz bomber, as part of a recent trade – sorry, I forgot who – gold foiled neck, typical series presentation. Poured into the oversized wine glass.
Hazy orange pour with a soap film on the surface. Alcohol legs, but no head as such.
Sweet malty nose, but (surprisingly) lacks alcohol presence. In fact a serious lack of aroma.
Balance, but surprisingly lacks bite for an American Barleywine. DISTINCT lack of length in the flavor and taste (aftertaste). This would be OK if it hit some English Barleywine, sweet notes, but it doesn’t! All in all a bit odd. Pedestrian. Falls between two stools.
To be fair as it warms it improves a little – but not much.
Drinks nowhere near 10.3%, in fact to the point of me actually not believing it! Very light and easy drinking for the style and the published ABV. I dunno, another average offering in the series – time to step up Harpoon!