Smuttynose Barleywine Style Ale (Big Beer Series)

Smuttynose Barleywine Style Ale is an American Barleywine. This review is for the 2013 vintage, as of right now it isn’t in the 2014 brew schedule.

This starts with a very nice aroma, smelling a good balance of sweet malt (lots of caramel) and big hops. Both the aroma and taste reveal a lot of alcohol heat is still a major part of this beer. A strong blast of sweet caramel starts the taste before shifting to a bitter pine flavor with a tingly mouth-feel. Getting some nice orange citrus notes in this as well.

I’ve had my issues with some Smuttynose Big Beer Series beers, but this one delivers. It is aging very well too, so don’t hesitate to grab a bottle if you see one lingering on a shelf.