Moylan's Brewery - Old Blarney Barleywine Style Ale

After a great long Labor Day weekend, it's good to be back into the swing of brew reviews.  Last night Steve enjoyed a gem - Surly Darkness 2010 - one of my favorite Russian Imperial Stouts, and probably even better with that extra 1+ year of age to it!  Tonight I'm going to be drinking an Old Blarney Barleywine Style Ale from Moylan's Brewery in Novato, California.  A while back, I reviewed their Hopsickle Imperial IPA, a phenomenal beer, so I look forward to experimenting with more of their beers.  Interesting note - Moylan's only packages their beers in 22 ounce bottles, and distributes in California and 5 other states, MN being one of the lucky ones.

Sorry, this photo turned out TERRIBLE....

Old Blarney is a high gravity barleywine, loaded with 10% alcohol and a hefty amount of Yakima Chinook and Yakima Glacier hops.  The brew comes in a pint-sized bottle with big brown label that lists the many honors this beer has won over the years.  It's going into my snifter, color is hazy dark brown-amber color with a light tan layer of foam that settles after a few minutes, leaving thick rings of lace behind.  The aroma is rich and intense, with heavy caramel malts and bread crust sitting on top of a layer of dark fruits (grapes, prunes, figs).  Alcohol is definitely present in there also.  The taste starts off with an intense combination of malts, bitterness, and alcohol heat, all hitting simultaneously.  After a few sips I'm able to distinguish and separate different layers of flavors.....beginning with a thick layer of roasty, caramelly toasted grains.  This quickly gives way to a flash of hops - peppers and spice combined with a touch of orange.  The bitterness continues and moves over to some dark fruits, mainly raisins, and then comes the alcohol heat.  Not warmth, heat.  An earthy, woody flavor lingers after the finish.

Overall Rating:  Not a bad offering from Moylan's.  Nice amount of bitterness, the alcohol heat is a little unpleasant, especially after the beer starts to warm.  Not great, just OK.  B-