Today I got back to running on my own.  I ran a nice 7.25 miles or so.  Felt great.  I’ll be sore tomorrow, but it was time well spent.  As such, I needed to shower more or less immediately.  Now, my favorite thing in the world is drink beer in the shower.  I was running, contemplating drinking a stout.  Then, it hit me: Barleywine.  I should have a barleywine.  Well… turns out it might not be the greatest decision I’ve ever made…  I decided to try something I haven’t had in some years, the North Coast Old Stock Ale.  The vintage I have is the 2007.

It poured a delicious brick red/ruby/brown type color, and left a very weak head.  All of this expected for an 11.5% ABV barleywine.

As for smell, I managed to grab a whiff before I hopped in the shower, and it was very thick with syrup and molasses, and cut with a hefty dose of ethanol.  It smells as a barleywine should, although I’d prefer a bit more hops.  Then again, I prefer all beers over 50 IBUs.

The taste was really upsetting at first.  I was less than thrilled.  It was just alcohol and a teensy sweet.  Not bad, necessarily, but the cost is not worth it.  However, once it warmed up a bit, and I was half way through, it really opened up.  It was quite sweet…  it really balanced out the alcohol well.  I have to admit, it almost leaves you with a vanilla or bourbon finish, but not quite.  My tongue actually begs for it.  Pop this beast in a bourbon barrel for a few months, and this beer would be a 9.  As it stands, it’s only a 6.

-brian