Style: Barleywine (Wood-Aged)

ABV: 13.8 IBU: 45.0

97/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	19
Mouthfeel:	5

Sunriver Brewing Wood Series: Bourbon Barrel Barleywine Style Ale

What the brewers say

“Notes of orange blossom, caramel candies, cherry cordials, vanilla Creamsicles.”

What our panel thought

“Pacific Northwest hops announce their citrus-and-pine presence. The same players sit on the flavor bench with bourbon oak barrel and smooth strong alcohol. A woody dry finish with lingering spice.”

What our editors thought

“Orange hop notes in the aroma with chocolate underpinning. Leans bitter but balanced in the sip, with woody and bitter chocolate notes, burnt bread crust, and just a hint of softening citrus before it dives into a dry tannin-forward finish.”

Review printed in: The Expanding Maltiverse (Spring 2025) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Sunriver Brewing Wood Series: Whiskey Barrel Ale

“Big bourbon and oak aromas rush to the top of the glass. Refined whiskey flavor with clinging tannins, counterbalanced by caramel malt and pear esters; toffee and browned fruits play a supportive yet critical role.”

Sunriver Brewing Wood Series: Chocolate Ice Cream Imperial Stout

“Roast, vanilla, chocolate, and bourbon in the aroma. Flavor is sweet and smooth chocolate syrup. Bourbon barrel and alcohol are evident in the sweet finish.”

Central Waters Brewing Bourbon Barrel Barleywine

**Aroma:** “The expected sweet malt notes are complemented by cleansing alcohol notes. Malts share the stage with notes of toffee and turbinado. Rich toasty and slightly caramelized notes. Moderate oak and vanilla with moderate alcohol.” **Flavor:** “Malt sweetness is slightly sticky, but does not overpower the other elements of the beer. Hops bitterness is medium strong and cuts some of the malt sweetness. The barrel comes in later with notes of bourbon and coconut. Noticeable alcoholic heat. Nice blend of toast and caramel characters with a touch of oak peeking through.” **Overall:** “A gooey sweet, malty bar- leywine that is contrasted by a hearty hoppiness. A few years of age could improve this beer, moderating some of the tannins. Satisfying bourbon-barrel aroma and avor.”

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