Ridgeway Brewing - South Stoke, England
Barleywine (ABV 10.5%)

[Best served in a Snifter]

Rating: 3.4/5.0

Aroma: 7/10
Appearance: 4/5
Taste: 7/10
Palate: 3/5
Overall: 13/20

The pour was a hazy reddish copper with an average sized (1-2 finger) off white creamy head that was mostly lasting and had some pretty good streaks of lace.

The aroma was very sweet with a strong dark fruit presence, some biscuit malts and a sweet doughy yeast and had notes of honey, caramel, toffee and a mild white wine scent.

The taste was extremely sweet and boldly malty with notes of honey and caramel from the onset with the finish being sweetly acidic and having a big note of dark fruit (raisins and plums), a bit of toffee and a decent white wine alcohol presence towards the end. The flavor stuck around for a nice long time after the swallow with a thick sweet fruity taste left to settle on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was just a few shades under medium in body with a light syrupy texture and a mild carbonation.

Overall a boldly sweet Barleywine with a nice strong fruity presence...

Sampled: 3/4/12