Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale
Poured a 2011 to a 12 ounce bottle to a stemless red wine glass. Color is reddish (pomegranate)-brown with an off-white head. Smells of peaches and citrus and piney hops and toffee malt. Tastes starts immediately warm, with caramel, toffee and molasses, followed by a deep, sharp hop bite, like a sore throat coming on, but dripping with hop oils. Mouthfeel is sticky and hot, but not syrupy like many other big beers. Overall, I like this beer because it feels complex; it changes with each taste as the temperature changes. I plan to cellar the rest of the six pack. Disclaimer: This is my first barleywine, and I like it a lot. That means two things. I may not be describing it in proper terms, and I'll be buying many more to compare, so I may have to revisit this.