Just not the part of the spectrum of IPAs I prefer. You can tell it's well-made, but not for me.

SUper malty IIPA. Too malty. Even sweet. Doesn't hide ABV at all. Has a nice bitterness. Hop flavors are more earthy than fruity.

Like bourbon soaked cocoa powder. As good as I've ever had it.

It's nearly perfect. I wouldn't mind a little more viscosity but no complaints other than that. If it's truly 9.5% this is a marvel. And much better than the other 2016 batch. I can't remember which one I gave to Jen, I hope it was this one.

Wow. Chocolate much? So much richer than when fresh. Bourbon has mellowed a bit but more chocolate roast. Very, very nice.

Shared 3 ways, we each had a small pour. Drank with berries and cookies. I noticed more coffee flavors than I ever have with this brew. Holds up well against competing sour and sweet flavors. Best on its own, though.

Fades pretty fast. Already past its prime, but mostly because I had it so fresh. The fruity juicy notes are all indistinct now and the malt is more apparent. Don't get me wrong, it's still a well balanced, bitter, refreshing IPA. But it's not what it was when fresh. So drink fresh, while it's still great.

Good on Central Waters. This is the first beer I've had with fruity, tropical flavors from them. Good to know they have that range. Smells like pineapple. Has a nice bitterness. Reminds me of Head Hunter. Maybe not as focused of a flavor profile, not exactly sure what I mean by that. I want to do a side by side with Ruination, too.

Wow, finally, 6 months after bottling it's finally starting to taste right. That weird, hoppy? flavor has faded and it's sweet and boozy and carmely and buttery.

Something's wrong this year. Last year was as good as any barrel aged wee heavy on the market. This year has a bitter bite the destroys the carmely sweetness. Can't believe I bought so much this year instead of last year.

It's good. But don't age. Still, CW is better at about the same price...

OK, not a great candidate for aging. Still OK. It kind of tastes like a barrel aged Old Foghorn. Of course I hadn't had any OF before drinking the other two bottles of Barrel Chested. Has more underlying sweetness. I think the barrel has faded somewhat, or my palate has barrel fatigue. Reasonably priced and solid barleywine.

Carbonation much less pronounced. Still smells AMAZING (though my sister said it smelled like dill? and caramel). Very dark red, alcohol had a bit of a bite. Still tastes great at 6 months but might not gain anything by age. Only 6 months, though.

Garnet red, poured with more carbonation and thinner than I expected. Big malty bourbon aroma, much like a bourbon barrel scotch ale. Carbonation not a problem while drinking. Caramel and pecan notes. Delicious, with some heat. Last 1-2 ounces was very different. Smelled purely of whiskey and not much flavor. Like the watery stuff that runs down the sides of a glass of whiskey, or the residue that collects after finishing a glass? Not sure it would age well. Will see.

Fades pretty fast. Already past its prime, but mostly because I had it so fresh. The fruity juicy notes are all indistinct now and the malt is more apparent. Don't get me wrong, it's still a well balanced, bitter, refreshing IPA. But it's not what it was when fresh. So drink fresh, while it's still great.

Good on Central Waters. This is the first beer I've had with fruity, tropical flavors from them. Good to know they have that range. Smells like pineapple. Has a nice bitterness. Reminds me of Head Hunter. Maybe not as focused of a flavor profile, not exactly sure what I mean by that. I want to do a side by side with Ruination, too.

Nearing 60 days already past it's prime but still pleasant.

Yum. THIS is how a pilsener is supposed to taste. Fresh makes all the difference.

Fades pretty fast. Already past its prime, but mostly because I had it so fresh. The fruity juicy notes are all indistinct now and the malt is more apparent. Don't get me wrong, it's still a well balanced, bitter, refreshing IPA. But it's not what it was when fresh. So drink fresh, while it's still great.

Good on Central Waters. This is the first beer I've had with fruity, tropical flavors from them. Good to know they have that range. Smells like pineapple. Has a nice bitterness. Reminds me of Head Hunter. Maybe not as focused of a flavor profile, not exactly sure what I mean by that. I want to do a side by side with Ruination, too.

Really good. Definitely smoothed out after 9 months. The bourbon was more apparent than when fresh. Even got some chocolaty flavors in the background. Kind of a cherry cordial. Doesn't scratch a particular itch and that's a long time to wait for something that doesn't blow you away but it's not not worth it.

Looking at my previous notes, a couple of years has had the desired effect. Downright drinkable for a barleywine, would go fine with dinner. Dry and bitter, a little astringent but not overpowering. The barrel really does wonders for this but the bare version is fun.

This needs some time to mellow out. Very woody taste, kind of harsh. But you can tell it's gonna be good.

Smelled odd, I sipped with trepidation. Tasted pleasant but different from any barleywine I've ever had. Reminded me of a soda or root beer. It has to be the cardamom. Noticed it in the flavor more as it warmed. Really interesting, in a delicious way. Very unique and distinct. Heavy hitter at 12.5%.

Wow, finally, 6 months after bottling it's finally starting to taste right. That weird, hoppy? flavor has faded and it's sweet and boozy and carmely and buttery.

Something's wrong this year. Last year was as good as any barrel aged wee heavy on the market. This year has a bitter bite the destroys the carmely sweetness. Can't believe I bought so much this year instead of last year.

Very malty for an IPA. Obviously it explodes with hops. I'm going to hold on to at least one of these for a month to see what happens. Not worth the $15 price tag, but maybe that's just a mental thing since it is a 6-pack.