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Beer specs

High alcohol
Beer details
Rating: 81

Old Ruffian Barley Wine

Brewery: Great Divide Brewing Company · Denver, CO
Variety: Ale · English Ale · English Barleywine
Alcohol: ABV 10.20% / ABW 8.16%
IBU: 90
Preferred vessel: Snifter
Added by woodtemple

Old Ruffian is a hefty, hop-forward Barley Wine. Seemingly mellow at first sniff, with its subtle fruit aromas and complex caramel sweetness, this deep mahogany-hued ale quickly shows its true character marked by bold hop flavors and massive hop bitterness. Old Ruffian’s rich, slightly creamy, caramel malt mouthfeel balances its grapefruit, pine, and floral hop flavors, working wonders on your palate

Strong, Caramel, Citrus, Thick

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Reviews

  1. Review by mikegee
    Rating: 86

    mikegee

    drank this beer from a Snifter
    Jan. 15th, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
    Comment:

    Another stellar beer from Great Divide. They can do little wrong.

    Characteristics:
  2. Review by kellik
    Rating: 90

    kellik

    drank this beer from a Pint glass in Gainesville, FL
    Jan. 15th, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
    Comment:

    I love this fantastic Barley wine! It does has everything a good barley wine should have, imo. It has a sweet, rich flavor, high alcohol content and packs one helluva hoppy punch! If only they made this in 12oz bottles, I’d be an even happier girl!

    Characteristics: caramel dark hoppy rich strong thick
  3. Review by Brian
    Rating: 68

    Brian

    drank this beer from a Snifter in Denver, CO
    Jan. 30th, 2009 at 2:27 p.m.
    Comment:

    This lovely surprise at the liquor store found its way to my taste buds this evening. It pours amber with an tan-orange head, and it looks thick. Citrusy hop aromas with some malt and also some aroma reminding me of soggy wood. Initial tastes bring more hop characteristics than I expected, but they give way to caramel malty sweet flavors. It’s pretty cloying and the alcohol is noticeable as well. The aftertaste is mostly hops with a bit of that caramel. Not as smooth as I’d expect a barley-wine to be. It would be interesting to taste this after it had been cellared awhile. Despite that, I’d gladly try it again. Very enjoyable.

    Characteristics: caramel citrus wood

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