The Rare Barrel Map of the Sun

**Aroma:** “Rich caramel and even molasses-like malt sweetness up front with a range of fruity esters, including raisin, fig, and apricot. Deep port-like aroma with perhaps a faint whiff of herbal hops. Pleasant alcohol warmth. Slight chocolate and toasted tones show up as it warms.” **Flavor:** “Thick chewy malt base delivers on the promises of the aroma. Good, firm bitterness adds to the overall impression without dominating. Reminds me of a liquid fruitcake in a good way (not citrus fruits, but dark ones). Finishes with a pleasant sweetness that lingers.” **Overall:** “This is a delightful English-style barleywine with each of the elements playing well together. It’s like a fine port—warmth in the finish suggests that it might be a little on the young side, but it’s certainly enjoyable now. Put a few of these away to try annually at the holidays.”

**Aroma:** “Bourbon, vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, coconut, molasses, coffee, and a touch of licorice. Cherry, raisin, plum. Strong malt sweetness. Open and bold whiskey/bourbon–barrel notes. Definitely leans more toward the barrel than the base beer. Inviting mild sherry oxidation with a bit of cardboard.” **Flavor:** “Flavor delivers on the nose: intense barrel notes, with the chocolate and vanilla turned up to eleven. Sweet cherry and raisin/dark fruit blend well with the barrel. Great mix of mild phenols, evocative esters, and alcohol warmth. Nice sherry character.” **Overall:** “The barrel is strong with big vanilla and bourbon, complemented by cherry fruitiness that pulls it together. A wonderful sipper, and an amazing example of what a barrel can impart to a beer in the hands of a talented and deft brewer. More, please!”

**Aroma:** “Big, juicy apricot and peach sweetness up front with just enough lactic tartness to support. Moderate toasty sweet malt, light caramel sweetness, light smoky phenol with black pepper.” **Flavor:** “Bold tart kick in the front with lemon and acidic tartness. The apricots come through and provide some sweetness but sit behind the lactic character in this beer. High carbonation level helps to finish this beer nicely. Tastes more like cooked apricot (apricot pie maybe) than fresh fruit.” **Overall:** “Incredible fruit character up front, like biting into an apricot, followed by a very nice, supportive tartness and funk that add to the complexity beautifully. Finish is balanced between fruit sweetness and tartness, making it a beer you want to immediately come back to for more. The Brett character is extremely well suited to the apricot, with other fruit notes contributed such as peach and pineapple.”