Brewery: Dogfish Head Brewery | Beer: Olde School Barleywine
Style: American Barleywine | ABV: 15.0% | IBUs: 85
Serving Method: 12 oz. bottle poured into tulip glass
Inspired by a tidbit in a cellarman's manual Sam found, Old School Barleywine is a big, gnarly American Barleywine fortified with figs and dates. The manual outlined adding those fruits if the casks were flat to get the yeast going again to re-carbonate things. Seems like as good as a jumping off point for a beer as any.
At 13-16% ABV (15% this time around), it's one of the strongest Barleywines available. Dogfish Head recommend aging the beer, which is unsurprising given the style and alcohol content. I plan on doing just that.
When I first started getting into Dogfish Head, this was one of the forbidden fruits that didn't make it here to Texas that I wanted most. While most of them finally showed up, Old School took forever. Last fall, it finally showed up much to my delight, and I scooped up enough for the cellar. Now, hopefully World Wide Stout will be next.
Here's How Dogfish Head describe the big hitter:
Appearance: A hazy, orange-brown body capped by a finger of cream-colored head that fades to a ring in average time, leaving thick patchy lacing on the way down. Impressive head given the alcohol content.
Aroma: Heaps of sticky toffee pudding malt, leafy hops, and plenty of spicy booze. As it warms, the boozes takes over.
Taste: A mix of leafy, moderately bitter hops and rum-soaked dark fruit (raisins & dates) over a big, brooding sticky toffee pudding malt backbone. The booze is present throughout, adding plenty of spice and a bit of fusel character; feels more like ten percent. All of the elements here are big and bold, but everything ends up pretty balanced in the end. Husky rich caramel malt, faded hops, and a touch of booze in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and chewy with medium carbonation and a dry finish. Plenty of heat from the booze throughout.
Drinkability: Considering the massive alcohol content here, this actually drinks a little faster than expected; though still a solid sipper.
Verdict: Olde School is every bit the big bastard of an American Barleywine I was hoping for; it has a few well-defined, intense flavors that balance each other out. Anxious to see how it ages.
Grade: A- (4.2 out of 5 stars)
Style: American Barleywine | ABV: 15.0% | IBUs: 85
Serving Method: 12 oz. bottle poured into tulip glass
At 13-16% ABV (15% this time around), it's one of the strongest Barleywines available. Dogfish Head recommend aging the beer, which is unsurprising given the style and alcohol content. I plan on doing just that.
When I first started getting into Dogfish Head, this was one of the forbidden fruits that didn't make it here to Texas that I wanted most. While most of them finally showed up, Old School took forever. Last fall, it finally showed up much to my delight, and I scooped up enough for the cellar. Now, hopefully World Wide Stout will be next.
Here's How Dogfish Head describe the big hitter:
Bold, yet smooth! Fermented with dates and figs, this bone-crushing barleywine has a unique flavor.Let's crack it and go old school, shall we?
Appearance: A hazy, orange-brown body capped by a finger of cream-colored head that fades to a ring in average time, leaving thick patchy lacing on the way down. Impressive head given the alcohol content.
Aroma: Heaps of sticky toffee pudding malt, leafy hops, and plenty of spicy booze. As it warms, the boozes takes over.
Taste: A mix of leafy, moderately bitter hops and rum-soaked dark fruit (raisins & dates) over a big, brooding sticky toffee pudding malt backbone. The booze is present throughout, adding plenty of spice and a bit of fusel character; feels more like ten percent. All of the elements here are big and bold, but everything ends up pretty balanced in the end. Husky rich caramel malt, faded hops, and a touch of booze in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and chewy with medium carbonation and a dry finish. Plenty of heat from the booze throughout.
Drinkability: Considering the massive alcohol content here, this actually drinks a little faster than expected; though still a solid sipper.
Verdict: Olde School is every bit the big bastard of an American Barleywine I was hoping for; it has a few well-defined, intense flavors that balance each other out. Anxious to see how it ages.
Grade: A- (4.2 out of 5 stars)
Review by Christopher Hunt
