Old Marley Barleywine
Review Date 4/24/2006
Try?
Re-buy?
Can a brewery
turn over a new leaf? As I’ve written previously, I had tried a few beers
from Connecticut’s Trout Brook brewing company some years ago when I
still lived in New England. I was marginally pleased, if not impressed, by
their offerings.
Today, their beers are making it to Georgia, and they’re brewing some really world-class stuff. Take, for example, their delightfully hoppy Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow IPA . That is a wonderful brew indeed, at least for a hophead.
I liked it so much, in fact, that as soon as I saw their Old Marley Barleywine Style Ale in stores here in the ATL, I snapped up a bottle post haste despite the seemingly extravagant $9 price tag. (I paid as much for a full liter of their Imperial Porter, which has been chilling in the DBR since December).
But is $9 a half liter really so bad? I don't think so. How many times have
you paid $3.50 to $4 a pint for a bland domestic lager? You get your money's
worth here, and then some with this complex sipping brew. Sip it slowly,
savor it, enjoy the varied and contrasting flavors. You'll see what I mean.
My sample was bottled in 2006, and promised to be a real treat from all I had heard. Of course, the name didn’t hurt, especially being the huge Dickens fan that I am. Doubtful that Scrooge would have bought a bottle, at least not prior to his unearthly visitations that is.
Let’s let Trout Brook speak for a bit:
This traditional American Ale blends copious amounts of five different malts and various English and American hops to yield a rich and flavorful brew.
We age our Barleywine in oak bourbon- casks to add vanilla and smoky notes, then blend these flavors into a full-blown sensory experience to enjoy on a cold winter's eve.
Even before I pour the beer into my glass, I’m impressed by the amazing appearance of the bottle itself. Sort of short and stubby with a tapering neck and a swing top cap beautifully done in highly protective cobalt blue, it holds a full half liter of the delicious nectar.
I’ve poured the full bottle of Old Marley into a large brandy snifter to allow all of the complex flavors to be fully appreciated. The beer is very lightly carbonated with almost no head formation. The nose is very enticing, with wonderfully caramelly, bready, raisiny notes wafting through the air to your nose.
Sipping reveals one incredibly complex brew. Rich dark chocolate and caramel are the first flavors that dance across the palate, closely followed by vanilla and raisins, figs and prunes, plums and plum pudding (the two are very different). A rich bready character and full, luxuriant body really make this a special treat, too.
But Old Marley isn’t chained solely to malt and yeast flavors. In the finish, the beer takes on new dimensions with a nicely balancing grassy, slightly minty hop bitterness that lingers nicely on the tongue. There’s plenty of alcohol warmth in this high-octane brew as well.
In short, this is a rare and wonderful treasure. I’m sure it will age out very nicely, and I’ll be picking some up for just that purpose. The hops should mellow and the yeasty-malty chewy caramel and fruity flavors should become more complex.
Absolutely a five star beer, it officially qualifies as a beergasm. If you see it, buy it. All they have. You can thank me later.
Today, their beers are making it to Georgia, and they’re brewing some really world-class stuff. Take, for example, their delightfully hoppy Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow IPA . That is a wonderful brew indeed, at least for a hophead.
I liked it so much, in fact, that as soon as I saw their Old Marley Barleywine Style Ale in stores here in the ATL, I snapped up a bottle post haste despite the seemingly extravagant $9 price tag. (I paid as much for a full liter of their Imperial Porter, which has been chilling in the DBR since December).
But is $9 a half liter really so bad? I don't think so. How many times have
you paid $3.50 to $4 a pint for a bland domestic lager? You get your money's
worth here, and then some with this complex sipping brew. Sip it slowly,
savor it, enjoy the varied and contrasting flavors. You'll see what I mean.
My sample was bottled in 2006, and promised to be a real treat from all I had heard. Of course, the name didn’t hurt, especially being the huge Dickens fan that I am. Doubtful that Scrooge would have bought a bottle, at least not prior to his unearthly visitations that is.
Let’s let Trout Brook speak for a bit:
This traditional American Ale blends copious amounts of five different malts and various English and American hops to yield a rich and flavorful brew.
We age our Barleywine in oak bourbon- casks to add vanilla and smoky notes, then blend these flavors into a full-blown sensory experience to enjoy on a cold winter's eve.
Even before I pour the beer into my glass, I’m impressed by the amazing appearance of the bottle itself. Sort of short and stubby with a tapering neck and a swing top cap beautifully done in highly protective cobalt blue, it holds a full half liter of the delicious nectar.
I’ve poured the full bottle of Old Marley into a large brandy snifter to allow all of the complex flavors to be fully appreciated. The beer is very lightly carbonated with almost no head formation. The nose is very enticing, with wonderfully caramelly, bready, raisiny notes wafting through the air to your nose.
Sipping reveals one incredibly complex brew. Rich dark chocolate and caramel are the first flavors that dance across the palate, closely followed by vanilla and raisins, figs and prunes, plums and plum pudding (the two are very different). A rich bready character and full, luxuriant body really make this a special treat, too.
But Old Marley isn’t chained solely to malt and yeast flavors. In the finish, the beer takes on new dimensions with a nicely balancing grassy, slightly minty hop bitterness that lingers nicely on the tongue. There’s plenty of alcohol warmth in this high-octane brew as well.
In short, this is a rare and wonderful treasure. I’m sure it will age out very nicely, and I’ll be picking some up for just that purpose. The hops should mellow and the yeasty-malty chewy caramel and fruity flavors should become more complex.
Absolutely a five star beer, it officially qualifies as a beergasm. If you see it, buy it. All they have. You can thank me later.
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
