Gin Lane Ale
2006 vintage. Pours a hazy mahogony color with murky ruby glints. The head is essential non existent and produces only a smattering of lace. The aroma is bready with fruity rum cake and vanilla evident. The trademark Granite ringwood yeast is in full force in the nose. Some leafy English hops are there too. The taste is of treacly caramel, ripe cherries, buttery diacytel and musty spent grains. Alcohol heat is very present for 9%, though not to the point of distraction. Some mild hop bitterness dances in the background, hope aroma is herbal and also very restrained. The finish is equal parts malt sweetness, bitterness and booze. The mouthfeel is medium and very low in carbonation, extremely low. This is a decent barleywine, very english in character, yeasty, fruity and low in hops. Worth a try, it will probably get better with age.