Shane’s constant talk recently about Barleywines pushed me over the edge in getting one to review. Wanting to stay local, I picked up the Dock Street Barrel Aged Barley Wine from the Dock Street brewpub in Philadelphia. The large 750ml bottle with a plain brown label on the front that drew me in with its simplicity.

The Dock Street Barley Wine pours a dark, ominous, murky brown with a very small, almost not worth mentioning, tan head that quickly vanishes. There is also no carbonation to speak of in the beer. Packing 10.5% ABV, there is a bit of alcohol/boozyness coming off in the nose, along with malt aromas, dark fruits, and vanilla.

True to what I would expect for a Barleywine, the flavors are a bit sweeter and the mouthfeel is a bit more syrupy than most beers. The barrel aged notes come out nicely in the flavors with a bit of oak coming through. Other flavor notes are vanilla, apple, caramel and darker fruits (plum, raisins). The alcohol is also present. Though the beer isn’t really that “hot” with alcohol you can tell that it’s there in the flavors, but somehow it plays nicely and does not detract from the rest of the beer.

Dock Street has produced a quality Barleywine that can contend with the big boys. There are some shortfalls in the flavors as they are bit weak at the end, being quickly consumed by the alcohol, but otherwise a great beer. I would certainly try it again, and that is saying something coming from a guy who is not one for sweeter beers.

Overall: 7.5/10