Style: Barley Wine

ABV: 9.8 IBU: 55.0

89/100
Aroma: 11
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 18
Mouthfeel: 4

Seventh Son The Wild Hunt

What the brewers say

“This barleywine marks the transition from the exuberance of summer to the hush of autumn. Premium English malts lend a rich body, juicy cherry notes, and a deep caramel complexity. Assertively hopped with Fuggles and Mosaic hops.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Sweet caramel forward with hints of roasted malts, toffee, alcohol, woody hops, and apples. There’s a slight vegetal note that leans toward moist tobacco and some light bubble gum in the background.”

Flavor: “Sweet caramel, toffee, roasted malts, woody hops, smooth, medium-high bitterness, and a warming alcohol that hangs out through the finish. The malt suggests toffee and toast. A touch of baker’s chocolate, some dates and plums, and a bit of grassy American hops, too.”

Overall: “With fresh hop flavors, it’s best to drink this right away. More malt complexity and a more robust body would help drive the barleywine point home. Having said that, the English esters with a touch of new school hops makes for an interesting beer.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: The Soul of Beer (December 2017-January 2018) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild

“Citrus-forward aromas with berries, Juicy Fruit gum, bread crust. Crisp malt bitterness, light bread-crust, orange, lemon in the flavor. Medium-light body. Sweet finish with a firm drying bitterness.”

Ell River Brewing Triple Exultation

**Aroma:** “There is a distinct character of age, with hints of tobacco, leather, and bubble gum. Very complex and very intriguing. Strong English earthy hops. Moderate plum, touch of cherry and chocolate. Slight nutty. Strong malt sweetness, heavy with caramel and toffee. Also sweet alcohol notes.” **Flavor:** “Moderate spicy hops, big earthy hops, touch of oral. Sweetness of toffee, caramel, and some chocolate add body to this beer. Slight vanilla. Some dark fruit/cherry notes add sweetness and complexity. The warmth of the alcohol helps to nish this beer leaving it slightly sweet, but not too sweet.” **Overall:** “A more hops-dominated complex old ale that could easily pass as a barleywine. Very avorful with sweet caramel and toffee. The warmth and hops earthiness helped to keep this beer in check and blended well.”

Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Fat Jack

**Aroma:** “A smooth blend of pumpkin-pie spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) and a rich, bready sweet caramel malt character (bordering on toffee) compete for dominance, with a pleasant note of fresh-baked pumpkins.” **Flavor:** “Deep malt sweetness comes through as caramelized brown sugar and toffee, supported by a very nice spice character with notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Surprisingly balanced, considering the sweetness, thanks in part to the spice profile. Clean, crisp, warm finish with a slight lingering sweetness, but far from cloying. Definitely a big beer.” **Overall:** “This beer has a lot to offer—full-bodied, rich, and complex, with a very well designed spice profile that’s not too spiced nor too sweet. It all comes together well, and the warmth of the beer makes it bigger than most pumpkins. Big yet approachable.”

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