Brimstone Big Beer Review

Brimstone Big

Review Date 12/30/1998 Last Updated 8/18/1999

Try? Re-buy?

Could this be described as Barleywine Light? Perhaps. Brimstone Big impressed me with a bready, slightly citric nose hinting at caramel when I first poured, quite similar to what one would expect from a barleywine, but the original gravity on this brew weighs in at a remarkably low 1.058 according to the label. The palate of this ruby-red colored beer is somewhat similar to what I described above, with a rich malt presence and a subtle sweetness as well as an almost liqueur-like alcohol finish . Only the body of a barleywine seems to be lacking, but make no mistake, this is quite an impressive brew.

Frederick ferments this beer with brown and cane sugar and ages it for four months, they claim it will age and improve for up to ten years. Mine was bottled in October of this year, I think it would be interesting to try this beer in a few years.

I opened a bottle from the same production run on August 18, 1999. Here's what the beer tasted like with a little age on it:

It has a big rich caramel nose and palate. Emerging fruit as the beer warms. Some bready notes. Lots of alcohol warmth in the finish, a little sweetness there too. A true sipping beer, I like it better now than when I tasted it young.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

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