Southern Tier ‘Backburner (Imperial Barley Wine Style Ale)’ Beer Review

Photo by A Glass After Work

Brewed by Southern Tier Brewing Company

$8.99/Bomber

Style: American Barleywine

9.6% ABV

Serve at 50-55°

Availability: Rotating

Enjoyed from a snifter

A: Pours a deep cherry-copper with abundant bubbles and two fingers of creamy, off-white head.

S: A face-full of malts and caramel, toffee, dark cherries, toasted bread, biscuity with mild oak notes and faint hops. This isn’t super exotic, but this is a classic barleywine blueprint.

T: Rich caramel and malts, the initial blast is awesome. Dark cherries, toffee, grains, yeasty notes that give a nice contrast for the hops. Bready biscuit, floral grassiness, pine, and a nice alcohol warmth. Very good.

M: Medium-bodied, creamy with moderate carbonation. A little chewy with mild burn.

O: A nice, sweet barleywine, full of the classic flavors that make this such a complex style.