Against the Grain London Balling

Aroma: “Whiskey barrel with apple, vanilla, oak, and a touch of earthy wet leaves is up front. Underlying beer is caramel and toffee with a hint of chocolate, squash blossom, and floral hops.” Flavor: “Rich malt with caramel, toasted coconut, and toffee comes out more in the flavor. Vanilla from the barrel sits behind the malt. Fairly sweet but not over the top. Really interesting spicy notes of chili and cinnamon emerge. The wood character is most prominent in the middle and lingers into the end, where it finishes dry. As it warms the sweetness comes out as well as the honey.” Overall: “This is a pretty textbook barrel-aged barleywine. It balances the barrel character and complex malt in a deft way. Overall, just very well executed.”

Aroma: “Soft milk-chocolate aroma with a faint nuttiness. Pretty delicate, nice and inviting with malt sweetness and a touch of coffee.” Flavor: “Coffee and chocolate tastes up front with light spiciness from the coffee toward the end of the sip. Moderate carbonation and light astringency help the spiciness give a light bite at the end. More bitter than sweet with a light lactose creaminess.” Overall: “Coffee-forward in the flavor but lacking in the aroma. Aroma presents a sweeter and creamier beer than what is delivered by the coffee-fueled flavor. Well executed.”

Aroma: “Lots of alcohol up front—whiskey, vanilla, and oak. There’s a touch of fresh-split campfire wood. Caramel and toffee, plum, biscuit, rich malt behind the whiskey and oak. Slight earthy notes. Marshmallow sweetness with caramel and light chocolate mixed with a touch of fruitiness.” Flavor: “Caramel toffee, vanilla, and oak. Sweetness fades into the fairly dry finish. Earthy hops flavor is really nice and balances the malt sweetness. Balanced on the finish. Medium hops spiciness with a touch of caramel.” Overall: “Very classic, if there is such a measure for barrel-aged imperial brown ales. The barrel supports the beer nicely, and the beer supports the barrel. Fairly boozy imperial brown with supporting spicy barrel character. Well-balanced, with impeccable flow.”