Mostly because after drinking (and enjoying) the first of the Small Batch Series recently, I had to find out if I liked any of the other ones better. Just by reading the labels the Third Voyage is probably the most straight forward style-wise, so I expected interesting and unique with the others if nothing else. Why not start with an “Oaked Blonde Barleywine Ale?”
Continuing on . . .
Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA)
Name: Griffin’s Bow
Style: American Barleywine (though probably more accurately a Specialty Beer)
ABV: 11.50% (on bottle)
Tasting Notes: Stored in the fridge and served in an oversized wine glass. Batch No. 1
Aroma: Light and sweet aroma with subtle notes of fruit. Like some tropical fruit with some sugar and honey tossed in. More subtle and less intense than I would have expected from a barleywine going in. – 7.5/12
Appearance: Deep coppery color. One finger cream color head that is creamy and frothy, holds well, and leaves a nice trail and lacing on the glass. Very clear with rising bubbles visible. – 3/3
Flavor: Tons of sugary, toffee-like malty sweetness with some notes of vanilla coming through in the middle. Maybe a slight bitterness (though very little). A fairly smooth finish with maybe a slight astringent bitterness and some lingering sweetness. – 12.5/20
Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a moderate too low level of carbonation. Very smooth on the palate with a bit of warmth noticed at the finish. – 4/5
Overall Impressions: Really was not sure what to expect from a “Blonde Barleywine.” The sweetness does dominate the balance. Nothing that bad about it, but fairly uninteresting without the depth of flavor that I usually enjoy in a barleywine. Better a bit warmer (as it should be), pretty smooth, and easy drinking with the vanilla becoming more prominent as it warms up some. – 6/10
Overall: B- (33/50)
Samuel Adams - Griffin's Bow
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