XS Old Crustacean
Split a 2001 bottle with Golden2wenty1 - many thanks for this offering! Appearance: Orange/copper brown, on the dark side, with low visibility. Hazy finish, but manages to catch the light well; pours a nice 1/2 inch head and light/medium suds remain after a few minutes. Medium/high viscosity - almost a foreboding weight to this one! Aroma: Grainy, raisin finish, with thick anise and nice floral hops. Complex, but easy on the nose, with late chocolate malt developments. Taste: Wow - there's amazing development in this beer, and a complex mix of flavors that almost defies description. Coffee on the front palate fades into an amazing licorice finish. Hints of raisins and pine behind these anise notes. Burst of orange are balanced by deep, rich hop developments. Unique flavor. Mouthfeel: Smooth, owing to the licorice finish. Low, smooth carbonation and a Crisp finish. Wonderful. Drinkability: This is one of the most fantastic beers I've tasted, with truly unique flavors and the kind of depth and development of flavors desirable in a barleywine. Nonetheless, it achieves a unique blend and balance that makes this stand out. The hops development stands out against other more one-dimensional use of hops, while the malts are rich while remaining fruity. Neither mellow like Old Foghorn, nor abrasive like Old Ruffian, Old Crustacean really stands on its own. Superb.