Bottle was partially skunked. Bunch of sediment and some oxidization on the lip of the bottle. What was salvageable, however, was very nice. I had a Bigfoot recently, so I suppose that's where my mind is, but this strikes me as much more developed version of an American barleywine. That one was such a hop bomb in its fresh state that I almost felt like I was drinking a ratcheted up version of classic Sierra Nevada. The sweetness of an older barleywine is the dominating flavor here, but this bottle still hasn't lost the bitterness- mostly of the woody or even a bit vinous variety. Not cloying in any sense. I've had English barleywines that have leaned much further into burnt sugar and molasses territory than this one does. Mouth feel is noticeably light for a barleywine, probably a medium overall, but definitely sips a lot more mellow than its 11.5% would suggest. Hoping to pick up a few more vintages while they're still out there now that the HOTD has closed up shop for good.

A darker gold than most, drinks very, very dry.

A pleasant tartness and strong carbonation make this a relatively spritzy gueuze.

This young bottle pours hazy gold and gives a pronounced funk on the nose. The funk note is really satisfyingly foregrounded in the taste. Classic green apple and prune don't show up as strong, which gives an interesting lactic tart in combination with the funk. Super effervescent and mineral feel.

Smells heavily of acetone, pours a hazy orange-brown. Very little pucker, taste follows the nose with intense green apple and raisin. Barely any minerality on the finish. A tremendously well aged beer, and one that's made me consider what I enjoy about the style a bit more. Not my platonic guezue, but one that rivals the best I've had from Cantillon and 3F.