I’m all about the trend towards one-off releases by small craft brewers. The practice allows a brewer to release lots of different styles of beer and ensure that supply and demand stay pretty close. From a marketing standpoint, this strategy is ingenious, since craft beer drinkers are notoriously fickle and constantly looking for something new to try.

There’s a downside, too, though. When you happen to find a really great beer that’s a one-off, you’re kind of out of luck when the supply dries up. Such is the case with Jailhouse Hard Time Barleywine Style Ale, part of the Solitary Confinement series of one-off brews.

Jailhouse describes the beer as “A one-time release of an American Barleywine.” The beer was introduced in March of 2012 and I’ve been sitting on mine since then. The beer has a formidable alcohol content of 10.5% by volume, and I bought a 22-ounce bottle for $8.99.

Jailhouse Hard Time Barleywine Style Ale pours to a deep ruby red color with a thick and creamy head formation and a wonderfully aromatic passion fruit nose. A fine layer of Brussels lace follows the liquid all the way to the bottom. Buttered toast malt and yeast notes appear at the first, then lots of fruit (I get the passion fruit the nose allured to, pear, and berries), dry spiciness, caramel, toffee, and fresh baked bread. In the finish, there’s just a gentle kiss of hops, herbal in their aroma and gentle in their bitterness.  The beer finishes on the sweet side for sure, but with alcohol warmth to dry, too.

I love the soft malty notes here, the complex yeasty fruitiness, and the hints of butterscotch. This is not a hoppy west coast Barleywine, if you’re looking for that, look elsewhere. So I’m not sure that the “American Barleywine” moniker is apt, although the strength certainly leans that way.

I’ll be on the lookout for any remaining bottles of this one as I think it will continue to age nicely. The complex malt and fruit character should build; they were certainly both lovely here. Perhaps we’ll see a re-release by popular demand. Because once you’ve done Hard Time, you’re more likely to do Hard Time again.  

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