Bigfoot

Bigfoot
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
American Barleywine
9.6% ABV

OG: 23.0 Plato

FG: 6.0 Plato

90 IBUs

12 oz 2010 vintage, bottled December 30, 2009, poured into a wine glass at room temperature. (picture from Sierra Nevada)


Appearance 4.5/5
Clear reddish brown with a dense, creamy, tan colored head. The head retention was great with good lacing, but not as sticky as I hoped.

Aroma 3.5/5
Only "downside" of the aroma was its weakness. Otherwise fantastic: first impression was hops, but not of any specific kind. Some caramel malts and brown sugar, with sweetness and richness of a fresh baked rum raisin pie.

Taste 4.5/5
Bitterness is the king here. Starts slightly fruity sweet, but the bulk is a strong and smooth bitterness. Not harsh, but very powerful. Strong and complex hop flavor. The alcohol is felt in breath and in its warmth but not in the taste itself. Finish is dry and long with unyielding bitterness. The malts support the beer pretty well but the balance is decidedly bitter, as is appropriate for the style.

Mouthfeel 4.5/5
Feels more attenuated than I remember, both in the body and the finish. It's perhaps the age on it, almost ten months, but maybe it's because of the temperature too. Low carbonation lets the beer coat the mouth without being prickly. Keep in mind, however, that the finish is quite clean and not cloying at all.

Drinkability 4.5/5
Very good.