LongShot Mile High Barley Wine Ale
Firebrick red-brown in color with a stunted beige head that fade initially, then lingers above the liquid for a while leaving sheets of lace. The aroma is full of toffee, fruitcake, dates and raisins and plums, and all things brown sugar and dark fruits. Some floral, resiny, alcoholic bitterness gives a counter-punch. It's a general mirror, taste-wise. Lots of brown sugar, toffee, raisins, and figs. Hops don't bring much to the table, but add enough bitterness to stave of stagnancy and invite another sip. Alcohol is in the mix, with some slightly woody, brandy tones. The mouthfeel is over-gassed, in a cola sort of way. It seems artificial and force-fed. It's gassy feel would be better flat-lined, as it just doesn't feel right for something of this strength. Fizzy booziness is a strange sensation. With its bizarre fizziness and general fruitiness, it's a bit like an Imperial Wine Cooler. The mouthfeel doesn't work for me in this. The rest is salvageable. A Malty, semi-fruity, relatively alcoholic,fizzy English-leaning Barleywine.