Great Divide Old Ruffian

From Great Divide Brewing – OLD RUFFIAN is a hefty, hop-forward Barley Wine. Seemingly mellow at the start with subtle fruit aromas and complex caramel sweetness, it quickly becomes aggressive with its bold hop flavors and huge hop bitterness. Ultimately, the big body, succulent sweetness and massive hop character come together to work wonders on your palate.

Great Divide Brewing – Great Divide Old Ruffian – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet.

Appearance:  Pours dark amber with light khaki head that falls to an 1/4 inch.

Aroma: Fresh resinous hop nose. Chocolate covered dried apricots, brown sugar.

Taste: Again, fresh resinous citrusy hop goodness. Then comes layers of burnt caramel, brown sugar, toast. Some dark fruit action. All capped off by big hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel:  Full bodied. A tad asteingent. Moderate bubbles.

Overall: If you like hoppy barleywines like Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, you will definitely enjoy this. I’ll go against the grain and say drink this fresh and not bother cellaring it.