Sambrook's Brewery No.5 Barleywine
Style: Barleywine
Alcohol Content: 8.2%
From: Battersea, London, England
Purchased from: Beer Boutique, Putney Upon Thames
It's funny how beer can change people. Whilst some are destroyed by drink, others use it to succeed. Back in 2008, Duncan Sambrook decide to halt his promising career in city accounting and build a brewery. Like many, this stroke of genius came about at the Great British Beer Festival. After scouring the multiple bars, Duncan and his friends realised that other than Fullers, there was no other brewery representing London at the festival (this is potential due to Camra's, cough "higher standards"). Deciding enough was enough, he promptly purchased a five barrel brewing kit and gave it a go. Needless to say this turned out to be a disaster and after many failed experiments he decided to take brewing more seriously by enrolling a course at the University of Sunderland and seeking advice from the head brewer at Ringwood; David Welsh. The results where a 20 barrel plant and the successful launch of their first beer, Wandle. The rest they say is history.
Colour: Pours a devilishly dark blood red with no head to speak of. To be honest, this beer looked very flat and I began to think the beer was off. Luckily my fears were abated as after closer inspection I could see small champagne style bubbles slowly rising from the depths of the glass. Phew!
Aroma: There is a hell of a lot going on in this beer, it really has a dream of a nose. Heady notes of dried fruits (such as sultanas, raisins and cherries) soaked in a warming, spiced rum rise to greet you on every sip. There is also very faint traces of a metallic, carbon dioxide edge. It reminds me of the coke flavoured panda pops that I used to drink as a child.
Body: As the name suggests this drink feels just like a red wine in the mouth. Then suddenly a depth charge will hit you. Like a U-boat stalking its prey, a strange layer of carbonation will hit you with such intensity, that you will be launched from your seat. The CO2 will help to cleanse your taste buds and playfully caress the back of your throat.
Taste: The taste of this beer is directly linked to the complex aromas. The dried fruit returns only to pleasantly washed away by a hint of sweet plum and thick, sticky molasses. The alcohol provides a warming yet dry finish which will force you to take another sip. Very refined but it also feels a little restrained. I would of preferred something slightly bolder personally. That being said this is a great introduction to the style and it certainly has peaked my interest in the style. If anyone can recommend any other Barley wines please let me know by leaving a comment below.
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