Beer Of The Day: Brickstone Anniversary X - Sad Trombones

BOTD: Brickstone Anniversary X
Brickstone Brewery (Bourbonnais, IL)
( http://www.brickstonebrewery.com/ )

Barleywine
10.5% ABV
Out of Production / Limited Availability

Having recently enjoyed the Brickstone After World, the chance to get a now-aged Barleywine from this spunky Bourbonnais Brewery was rife with anticipation. And at process approaching $1/oz, expectations run high.  I had had it once before when it was new, and draft, and had given it a 4 / 5 at that time. How would it have aged?

Poured from a 22oz. Bomber into a snifter. Pours amber, with a firm, tan head. Heavy accumulation of yeast on the bottom stirred up in the pour.

Light in flavor and aroma for a strong / barleywine style ale. On reflection, it seemed like there was some wheat added somewhere, or a sanitation problem, with some spicy clove notes in the background. Mouthfeel was more like a bock or doppelbock, malty, not fruity, and not heavy as one would expect for a beer of this age and gravity. You end up with a lingering, bitter finish, so the Hops haven't given up the fight.

I like a good barleywine, and this was, when new and draft. Not a bad beer, just not as good as it needed to be. As a now shelf-aged $18.00 bomber, I would pass. Cue the sad trombones....

My Rating: 3.75 / 5
Untappd: 3.71 / 5

Prost!

Beer Of The Day: After World

BOTD: After World
Brickstone Brewery (Bourbonnais, IL)
( http://www.brickstonebrewery.com/ )

Barleywine; Barrel-aged. Limited Reserve Series (2017)
14.2% ABV

Barrel Aging is the Bacon of the Beer world. It makes good things better. A barrel aged barleywine? I'm game.  Give me a long and unstructured winter evening, a comfy chair, a remote control, and my notebook, please.....

Served from a 22oz. bomber, poured into a 33cl goblet. Pours dark amber, with little head that disspates quickly, not uncommon for stronger, aged beers. Modest aromas make me think I should have let it warm a bit before I poured it, but you do get a whiff of barrel and rich malt. Feel is rich but not syrupy. Flavors are characteristic of a barleywine, caramel/toffee-like, starting slightly sweet, with a little alcohol warmth from the high gravity, and finishing with a lingering bitterness. Barrel aging has allowed the taste to mature without adding too much oak. Overall a respectable but not amazing example of an American barleywine.  With the price of a bomber nearing $20  at some retailers, you might want to try others first.


My Rating: 4.0 / 5
Untappd: 4.02 / 5

Prost!