Hazy amber with a big, almond-hued head, John Barleycorn’s first impression is a massive aroma packed with intense hops, burnt sugars, and an elevated alcohol heat that overwhelm the nose -- in a good way. The flavor has an equally brash beginning with intense toffee and plum sweetness that take hold of the tongue. Sugar tastes stick around for a while, but they’re balanced by a healthy dose of hop bitterness. Grapefruit, plum, and cherry notes thread throughout the swallow alongside toffee and hop flavors that don’t seem to want to let go. Rich, full-bodied, moderately carbonated, and hot with alcohol, Barleycorn ages gracefully.
