When sugar from grape juice is fermented they call it wine. When sugar from barley is fermented they call it beer. The particular style of beer we are reviewing today is known as Barleywine which begs the question: why isn’t there a style of wine called Grapebeer?
Barleywine is typically a very strong beer both in terms of alcohol content and bitterness. Avery Brewing Company’s Hog Heaven is no exception to this general rule of thumb boasting an ABV of 9.2% and packing 100 IBUs. But enough with the chitchat, on to the review:
Appearance
A medium brown beer with a tinge of red when held up to the light. A single finger head is nearly white and dissipates relatively quickly.
Smell
Smells of plum, prune, and even mango tantalize the senses and make the drinker believe that Hog Heaven has a fruitier nose than Toucan Sam. Very little alcohol for a beer with over 9% ABV.
Taste
Typical of the style, sweet fruit and malt seize the mouth upfront but set the glass down and let the complex flavors develop. The 100 IBUs pierce through in the finish but for the most part are tamed nicely by the sweet malt and flavors of dried apricot, raisins, and a hint of citrus. The alcohol does not hit the drinker as hard as 9.2% suggests, but the slurred speech says it all.
Mouthfeel
Very full bodied beer feels like heavy cream in the mouth. Lightly carbonated.
Drinkability
Tons of sweet malt and fruit flavors make this one of the smoothest 100 IBUs around. The thick body and high alcohol content don’t lend themselves to more than a pint or two, but those one or two glassfuls will be excellent. Overall grade for Hog Heaven Barleywine: B
Hog Heaven Barleywine
Up next on Tuesday Tastings: The Big DIPA 3