Beer Review - Avery Brewing Company's Hog Heaven Barleywine-style Ale
I don't have much exposure to barley wines. I've had Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale, Anchor Brewing Company's Old Foghorn Barleywine Style Ale, Draught House Pub & Brewery's Marley's Gnarley Barley Wine, and Young's Brewery's Old Nick Barley Wine Ale. I may have tasted more, but with one of the highest alcohol-by-volume (ABV) averages of any beer style, you'll have to excuse me if I've forgotten. It's also been some time since I sipped a barley wine and I can only vaguely remember how the above tasted. I will say, however, that every Draught House Marley's Gnarley I've had has been a very potent and satisfying reddish brew.
1pint & 6oz.
9.2% ABV
100 IBUs
I can't be certain, but I think I bought it from Grapevine Market.
Initial hit: tastes incredibly hoppy for a barleywine
The head's larger bubbles disappear quickly but it remains thick overall and lingers a medium-length of time.
After 2-3 sips the hoppy hit declines and it becomes surprisingly smooth on the tongue.
The aftertaste is very light, hard to pinpoint.
Malts take over and become the primary note I detect.
This is a very easy to drink barley wine. I'd recommend it to anyone trying the style for the first time.
After ~30 minutes of sipping, I can feel the buzz. Around this time, the head collapses and strings out.
The general aroma is slightly acerbic 50/50 malt/hop mix, again, hard to nail down.
I tasted semi-sweet chocolate, just bitter enough to make me want a glass of water afterwards.
Overall, this is a real easy beer to like. There's no hard taste hitting you over the head and it's fairly sweet. If you can get over the initial smack of hops (perhaps related to inadequate aging?), this makes a great after dinner brew.