The pour was a clear cherry brown with a large (2-3 finger) light brown creamy head that receded down to a few puddles and a large collar, which did produce excellent sheeting of lacing.
The aroma was mildly sweet of a toasted caramel malt, grassy hops and a doughy yeast with notes of citrus (grapefruit), dark fruit (plums and figs), caramel and a mild alcohol tinge.
The taste was powerful to say the least, with a strong malty caramel sweetness that lasted only seconds before being overshadowed by an intense hoppy bitterness along with hints of dark fruit, citrus peel and a big alcohol presence towards the end. The flavor lasted a decently long time proceeding the swallow with a bold bitter alcohol warming taste left to linger on the taste buds.
Mouthfeel was almost medium in body with a strong dry texture and a tickly carbonation.
Overall a very intensely flavorful brew, sweet yet hoppy, bitter yet smooth, a beer in a class of its own, truly a hop heads dream Barleywine...
