Mendocino Talon Barleywine

[Stodbrew]

Talon Barleywine- Mendocino Brewing Co. Ukiah, CA.

ABV: 10.5%

Poured into my glass with a very thin head that pretty much completely dissappeared. The color is a slighty hazy, somewhat dark red color.

At first sniff, I get a fair amount of hops, with some definite alcohol character, followed by a very slight smokiness.

The flavor up front is a burst of sweet malt, then the hop flavor kicks in a bit. The malts, however, take the forefront in this beer, with flavors of raisin and some plum-like charachteristics. For being over 10% ABV, the alcohol is very well hidden. Its certainly there, with a mild warming on the finish, but doesn't overpower the flavor.

I normally don't just crack open a barleywine, but tonight I just kinda felt like it. I'm glad I did, becuase, overall, this is a pretty enjoyable beer.

[fretlessman71]

I'll probably be cracking open a barelywine when I get home from the studio tonight - we've got a fair amount of fresh snnow on the ground.

Hadn't heard of Talon, but I enjoy Red Tail Ale quite a lot... I'll have to look for it! In the meantime, there's a bottle of Odell's Curmudgeon's Nip awaiting my arrival when I return to my nest - that is, if I'm still awake... :o

[Stodbrew]

Of the Odell's beers I've had, being the 90 Schilling, I've really enjoyed them. Haven't had one in years, since 2001 when I was out in Denver for the GABF last. Can't wait to get back out that way and try a few more.

[fretlessman71]

Yep, Odell's is pretty unbelievable... and the 90 is in a class by itself!

I changed my mind, though, and am sipping on a Lakefront Beerline Barleywine, courtesy of Steveh. Tiny litthe champagne bottle, but amazing stuff! And it gives me that nice warm feeling inside. :D

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
...Tiny litthe champagne bottle, but amazing stuff! And it gives me that nice warm feeling inside.

He he he, what's the ABV in that lithe little bottle? ;)

S.

[fretlessman71]

thhat wood bbe, eerrrrrrrrrr,, 10.5 persent. :p

[HarkJohnny]

Mendocino participated in a local beerfest here in cincinnati and provided the Talon Barleywine along with their winter ale (10.2%, don't remember the name) and also their Blackhawk Ale.

First things first... the BW... from what I can remember which isn't much, I'm glad I had this sample toward the beginning... Very heavy and tasty... lots of hops, and I'm now wishing I had written down a few tasting notes.

But my main point... the Blackhawk Ale is a combination of their stout (undoubtedly bearing a bird's name) and their Red Tail Ale. It was quite interesting. Not a combination I've had before. I'm not sure i liked it though. I'll have to look into each of these brews and do a tasting of each and a tasting of a the blackhawk too.

and also, i remember the winter ale being very tasty.... befitting a hophead such as myself.

[chazwicke]

I had a small sample of the Talon at Whole Foods seasonal tasting recently. I enjoyed it but was more enamoured with Allegash's Curieux Ale, aged in oak bourbon barrels.

I've also enjoyed Odell's 90 Shilling courtesy of a trade last year. It was excellent.