Today is March 1st and it is Beer Day! To celebrate, be sure to have a beer and follow along with all the Examiners as we share our experiences with beer.
For Beer Day I've chosen one of Sonoma County's annual highlights, the release of Lagunitas' barley wine Olde Gnarly Wine. Released every year in January, Gnarly Wine just took home third place at this year's Toronado Barleywine Festival with a 2008 vintage. For this article I will be reviewing a fresh bottle of the 2010 Gnarly Wine.
Gnarly Wine starts with a bold aroma of sweet carmelized malt blended with strong floral hops. The alcohol reveals itself as it tickles the back of your nose. When you try this beer, you're confronted with a big rush of sweetness and hop bitterness. Thick and heavy on the palate the complexity of the malt will wash over your tongue in the form of cherry, caramel, cocoa and vanilla. The flavors fade to the back of your mouth and the hops move from floral to pine-like. Caramel and chocolate flavors stay behind and beg you to have some more.
At 10.85%, Gnarly Wine is not a beer to knock back like you would most beers at the bar. Try this beer in a snifter and at warmer temperatures (45-50° F) to fully appreciate all the flavors packed into this wonderful ale.
Gnarly Wine can be found at most locations that carry Lagunitas seasonal offerings. Available in 22-ounce bottles, buy a couple as this beer can stand up to aging well.
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