Barleywine, Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett
Style: English-style Barleywine
Stats: 12 percent ABV, 76 IBU
Available: On tap at Brouwer’s and in 12-ounce bottles at the restaurant and taproom, and at select bottleshops.
My thoughts: The last time Scuttlebutt Brewing brewed a barleywine, it won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup. Seven years later, Scuttlebutt head brewer Matt Stromberg has done it again.
Stromberg and his team unearthed the same recipe, a classic English-style barleywine, and brewed it in February. After a short aging period, the beer has been bottled, complete with a golden wax dipping, and is ready for a second round of aging.
Stromberg said the beer right now is great — “A balanced, deep barleywine that doesn’t overwhelm” — but that customers should buy a couple bottles to store for the future. He said the 2009 version peaked in 2014 when it won gold.
I never tasted the 2009 version, but the recent offering from Scuttlebutt is a deep, dark beer that is perfect for a long winter night. I opened it and, on the advice of Stromberg, let it sit for 20 minutes in a snifter to warm up.
After finally tasting it, the beer is complex but not overwhelming. I was shocked that it’s 12 percent; there’s no strong alcohol aftertaste. What does linger is a nutty, fruity flavor that reminded me of raisins and brown sugar. This is a great beer to savor over an evening.
From the brewery: Classic mahogany color capped with an off-white head that leaves a delicate lacing on the glass. The inviting aroma is filled with the promise of figs, dates and plums. The taste is subtly complex; raisins, toasted nuts, caramel, cognac, cherry and biscuit are all there with assertive support from the Nugget, Amarillo and Bullion hops employed.
More new releases
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PowderKeg, Foggy Noggin Brewing: Locally roasted coffee beans are added to the mash and also in secondary fermentations in this English Coffee Stout, resulting in a rich, full bodied yet wonderfully balance stout with the essence of rich coffee. Available in 22-ounce bottles and on tap at the brewery.
Ten-Four, Skookum Brewing: A Belgian-style quad brewed and aged in Quil Ceda Creek Vintners red wine barrels and Bad Dog Distillery whiskey barrels to celebrate the brewery’s 10th anniversary. Available on tap at the brewery.
Metallurgy 3, Crucible Brewing: Made with Amarillo and Hull Melon hops, the third IPA in Crucible’s Metallurgy series is 64 IBU. Available at the brewery.
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