Welcome back to the Brew review. Today edition leads us into the great unknown, a category of beer I have never tasted and I can bet most of you haven’t either, Barley Wine. I was a little skeptical when I cracked this one open, but was pleased from the pour to the finish. I hope you guys enjoy this review and get some Barley Wine and expand your palate.
About Upland Brewery
I already did this. Check out my first review of Upland’s Dragonfly IPA to get their about info.
About Winter Warmer Barley Wine
Upland’s Barley Wine is a seasonal ale. They say you will find rich fruit flavors and aromas balanced by a hoppy taste and long finish. Boy they were right. The Winter Warmer was award the Silver Medal in the 2008 World Beer Cup in the Old Ale Category.
My Review
The Packaging
Upland’s packaging never really stands out to me. It feels kind of run of the mill and doesn’t do much for me. If I weren’t such a fan of their brews and didn’t look for them at the store I would probably just pass them over. The Winter Warmer’s label is no different than any other and when you see it next to a Flying Dog or some of the other outlandish labels it isn’t quite as tempting.
The Pour
The Barley wine pours dark dark red / purple with a thick dense head on top of it.
The Nose
I didn’t get a lot from the nose, something stinky like armpit and some dark fruits. Other than that it was pretty subtle.
The Palate
I don’t know if it is the name wine that is getting to me but you definitely have a dark fruit component inside the beer. Some blackberries, plums and raisins. The big flavor is a toffee like taste that really dominates the palate. There are good hops in this beer that don’t overpower it, but leave a little bit of bitterness on the finish with also a metal flavor. The mouth feel of this beer was great, even after you finished it you could feel a lingering menthol like flavor that left my mouth cool for 10 – 15 seconds.
I give this beer a big thumbs up. I was expecting a fruit bomb that I know myself and most of you wouldn’t like and instead I got a complex beer that seemed focused and extremely drinkable.
The Rating
4 out of 5
Its about time you got to a season winter beer. I love the rating system you added. For those of us that don’t get “the palate” and all that other crap its a good way to let us know if it tastes good or not. I am a big fan of most of Upland’s brews. I haven’t been disappointed in the couple that I’ve tried so I’ll have to give this one a shot. I’ve never paid too much attention so I don’t know if I’ve ever even heard of Barley Wine. Could you elaborate a little more on that particular style of beer?
Ask and you shall receive. 1 Article on the history of barley wine coming up.
This weekend was the first time I tried an Upland brew so if it is like the Dragonfly I might like it. Thanks for the review and bottoms up.
It isn’t like dragonfly in flavor or body, but it is in that it is well made. Maybe I will bring something fun to the Superbowl party for us to drink. Cheers!