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Green Flash Barleywine
Vista, California
BJCP Category: 19C American Barleywine
Green Flash Brewing Co. <visit site>
37
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[expand]Total Score: 35/50
Mineral character and high alcohol overshadow hop flavor. Malt has a nice toffee profile but the malt flavors are somewhat muddled. Alcohol is overpowering. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Caramel and toffee with hints of chocolate. Moderate citrus and floral hop aroma. Significant alcohol evident. Estery, largely yeast-derived. Complex combination of toffee, alcohol and hops. No DMS. No diacetyl. (9/12)
Appearance: Amber color. Some haze, even when warming. Dense, tan, long-lasting head. (3/3)
Flavor: Alcohol dominant, somewhat hot. Caramel and toffee with moderately high citrus hop flavor. Lingering high hop bitterness. High mineral character, somewhat distracting. No DMS. No diacetyl. Balanced toward bitterness and alcohol rather than expected intense maltiness. Finish has a bit of sweetness and significant hop bitterness. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Very warming; somewhat hot alcohol. No astringency. Smooth with some sharp edges. No chewy maltiness. (3/5)
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Overall Impression: Mineral character and high alcohol overshadow hop flavor. Malt has a nice toffee profile but the malt flavors are somewhat muddled. Alcohol is overpowering. This is a young (recent vintage), big beer that would benefit from aging to mellow the alcohol and bitterness. Suggest revising water chemistry to manage mineral character and emphasize the malt a bit more. One could lay down several bottles to taste this vintage over the next few years. This is a very warming beer for cold winter nights. With 22-ounce bottles, find some folks to share this with. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Rich and complex with an emphasis on hops, this beer still showcases the malt, both by the rich, sweet caramel flavor and in support of the characterful hops. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Ripe orange-rind citrus, ripe peach fruitiness and deep caramel malt emerge in that order, presenting with complexity. Piney, fir needle hop aroma emerges on a swirl, and persists. (8/12)
Appearance: Burnished amber with golden highlights, brilliant clarity. Biscuity, persistent yellowish head forms and laces nicely on the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Initial malty richness is of caramel candies (Sugar Daddy pops that take out fillings and loose teeth). Assertive hop bitterness with a Douglas fir flavor emerges and follows to the finish. Balanced to bitterness, but with a supporting malt backbone. Alcohol is evident, combining with the bitterness for a long-lasting finish. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with quite soft carbonation. Alcohol warmth leaves a tingling, numbing sensation on the tongue. (4/5)
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Overall Impression: Rich and complex with an emphasis on hops, this beer still showcases the malt, both by the rich, sweet caramel flavor and in support of the characterful hops. It would be interesting to see how the beer might evolve through a year or more. Wonderful balance of flavors and sensations. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
A well-crafted, tasty barleywine with a satisfying chewy maltiness and an appropriate level of sherry notes from oxidation. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Toffee and toasted malts lead, along with a pleasant level of sherry and nutty notes from oxidation. Moderate levels of citrus and floral hops, but the balance leans slightly toward the malt. Added complexity from tropical fruit esters and alcohol that becomes more assertive as the beer warms. (10/12)
Appearance: Deep copper in color with ruby highlights and a long-lasting, linen-white head. It leaves wisps of alcohol legs when swirled in the glass, along with a nice lace. The clarity is excellent. (3/3)
Flavor: A complex blend of toasted and caramel malts, dark fruit esters, citrus hops and alcohol that lasts for several seconds before yielding to a fairly intense hop bitterness. While the aroma seemed more English, the level of bitterness speaks to the West Coast origins. However, even as an American barleywine, shifting 10 percent or so of the hop bitterness to the flavor would improve the balance. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: The beer has a nice chewiness and medium body, and there is adequate carbonation to keep it from being too heavy. Alcohol is a little on the hot side, leaving a slight burn after the beer is swallowed. (3/5)
Overall Impression: A well-crafted, tasty barleywine with a satisfying chewy maltiness and an appropriate level of sherry notes from oxidation. The hop bitterness and alcohol are just a little too dominant in the finish and could be tapered back a little to improve the balance. This is a wonderful nightcap beer that would go down well on a cold winter evening. (7/10)
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[expand]Total Score: 34/50
Seems quite young. Flavors haven’t melded yet. Hop bitterness and alcohol are harsh and forward—they both need to smooth out. more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Pungent nose. Darker malt (biscuity, grainy) with indistinct citrusy and piney hops. Individual characteristics not popping out. Mild esters and malt. Some sweetness. Grainy malt dominates. Some alcohol spice emerges late. (8/12)
Appearance: Tall light tan head, moussy, persisted fairly well. Absolutely beautiful light reddish copper color. Crystal clear. (3/3)
Flavor: Strong grainy malt. High bitterness with some hoppy harshness in the finish. Spicy alcohol finish makes the hop harshness seem higher. Medium-low esters. Malt has a caramel component, but on top of a grainy, biscuity base. The grainy edge is brought out by the alcohol and bitterness. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Full body. Spicy-hot. Medium carbonation. Some hoppy astringency. Creamy character. Alcohol burn is too prominent. (3/5)
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Overall Impression: Seems quite young. Flavors haven’t melded yet. Hop bitterness and alcohol are harsh and forward—they both need to smooth out. Hop aroma and flavor aren’t as fresh and strong as best examples. Malt has a bit of a muddy character. A little hard to drink right now, but should improve with age. (7/10)
