This beer is a sipper, a Barleywine brewed with lemons, hibiscus, cranberry, cherry, and cocoa nibs. Its aroma is quite rich and generically fruity, with oak, ethanol, and cocoa coming through. Ethanol becomes more apparent as it warms, and the fruitiness becomes overripe. It pours penny-copper and fairly clear when held to light, with a moderately tan head that has impressive retention considering this beer's apparent strength. Its umami-like flavor is intense and mouth-coating, with cocoa and bruised, overripe fruit. There are moderate herbal hop flavors and moderate bitterness. It finishes both sweet and spicy, then dries out in the aftertaste. Alcohol is noticeably present, adding a layer of ethanol taste to everything and creating a very prickly, warm finish. Despite this sensory intensity, much of this beer's flavor is muddled and is missing complexity. Be prepared to share this large-format bottle with a few others.
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Height of Civilization
Built on the backbone of a classic English Barleywine with the addition of dried Prussian lemons, tart cherries, cranberries and cocoa nibs. Dark fruit abounds with roasted goodness in each sip. Aged in Dulce Vida tequila barrels, it is bold and complex at 12% with new layers emerging as your goblet warms.
The nose seems overwhelmed by complex aroma layers of alcohol, walnuts, citrus, berries, honeysuckle, fruit salad, wood tannins, agave, herbs and gourd pulp that bring to mind a spiced dessert pudding with melted marshmallows. The appearance comes across as murky brown to dark copper with mild tan foam composed of large bubbles. The tongue picks up toffee sweetness, herbal and aloe notes, wood resins, toasted bread and hints of sweet cocoa powder. Tequila definitely pushes through the malt complexity, along with undertones of dark rum, ripe fruit, slight citrus and earthy malt sweetness. Any individual fruit character emerges as subtle and a touch muddled in this full-bodied ale that finishes slightly bitter and dry. Expect a boozy, fruity, malty, tequila-shot hodgepodge of flavors and aromas to be enjoyed in a small snifter and shared with friends.