Williamsburg Alewerks Brewmaster's Reserve Grand Illumination

My buddy Matt brought over a bottle of Williamsburg Alewerks Brewmaster’s Reserve Grand Illumination Ale. The beer pours a caramel color with a thin bubbly off-white colored head. The aroma consists raisin, malts, caramel, grass, pepper, and toffee. The taste is smooth and very sweet with a large caramel and toffee flavor. A light spicy and peppery bite kicks in with a raisin finish. The alcohol content is 10.0% ABV. This was a wonderfully complex, well balanced, and quite flavorful barley wine. Earthy tones provide a nice balance to the bold and sweet flavors that come along with the barley wine.

Fort Collins Obsessed Barley Wine

I ordered a glass of Fort Collins Obsessed Barley Wine while at the brewery for lunch. The beer pours a dark amber color with a frothy cream colored head. The aroma consists of caramel and raisin but overall it has a very faint smell. The taste is smooth and sweet with caramel, raisin, and toasted toffee. A peppery spice shows up on the finish and dries the mouth a little. The alcohol content is 9.6% ABV. I enjoyed this barleywine, as it had a nice blend of sweetness and spiciness. I can't say it was far better than any other in the style that I have had, but it was a most excellent performer.

Yards Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Bart Barley Wine

I ordered a glass of Yards Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Bart Barley Wine at Varga Bar in Philadelphia. The beer pours an amber color with a frothy off-white colored head. The aroma consists of caramel, toffee, raisin, bourbon, and vanilla. The taste is sweet and smooth despite the bourbon alcohol bite to it. There is raisin, caramel, fig, vanilla, and oak flavors all mixed together, providing a wonderful blend. The alcohol content is 10.3% ABV. I was quite impressed with the barrel aged barley wine, as the beer stands tall against the bourbon, but adds a great accent to it.