Lagunitas Olde Gnarlywine

This 10.6% ABV barleywine is from the Lagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma, California. The bottle says: "The first sip is for thirst, the second one for pleasure, the third sip is for knowing, and the fourth for pure madness."  Time to go mad!

The beer pours a very deep amber and copper in color. There is a relatively short head of light tan foam that leaves a curtain of sticky lacing on the glass. The aroma is fruity, spicy, tangy, a bit of pine. The taste follows the aromas, rich and tangy fruit, with a bit of caramel on it, spicy, a touch of pine, a bit of boozy and spicy heat. There is good sweetness in there, but enough hops to end dry, with a very light bitterness. The beer drinks smooth, with a full, but not heavy, body. Oh God, this is nice.