The Bar Towel

Has anyone tried the new Mill street barley wine? Ditto for the Amsterdam Oktoberfest or Kerstmas beer?

pootz wrote:Has anyone tried the new Mill street barley wine? Ditto for the Amsterdam Oktoberfest or Kerstmas beer?

I had a taste of the Mill Street Barley Wine a couple of weeks ago, and I really liked it. Here are my notes:

"Striking dark copper colour with a wispy head. Rich aroma of warm wiskey, butterscotch & fruity malts. Flavour is big and warming, with lots of caramel/botterscotch and some dark fruit, and a bit of nuttiness. The alcohol is a little harsh in the finish, but I think some aging would take care of that nicely. I’ll need to get a couple of bottles to lay down for a while..."

I haven't tried either of the Amsterdam beers this year, but I had the Kerstmis in 2002. Here's what I thought at the time:

"Nice reddish-brown colour, and a small beige head that quickly disappears. Initial aroma is sweet and nutty malt, which develops a tasty hint of butterscotch as the beer warms. Toffee on the tongue, with a warm mixture of licorice and alcohol in the finish. Lighter than most European Xmas beers that I've had, but still a nice brew, and definately one of the highlights of the Amsterdam line."

I often go by there for lunch & I'll sample the Kerstmis if it's on.

The BW is good stuff, the '04 seemed a little more interesting but that's comparing a brand new to an eight month old, not fair really.

How does the MS barleywine compare to last years version? similar or different recipe?

Thanks Guys think I'll take a beer run this week end and stock in some Mill Street and Amsterdam seasonals...I still have 4 2004 MS Barley wine but I did remember savoring the Amsterdam smoked oktoberfest, their fruity high test Kerstmas and the spring bock...all good stuff..even if their other brews are on the watery side.

A wrote:How does the MS barleywine compare to last years version? similar or different recipe?

I haven't done a side-by-side, but it seemed fairly similar. Not sure if the recipe changed much, but this year's is 11% vs. last year's 10%.

GregClow wrote:this year's is 11% vs. last year's 10%.

"Well, this one goes to eleven!" - Nigel Tufnel

The only cafe has the Millstreet barley wine in stock. Was by there last week and sampled one. It was delicious and I savoured in for a full twenty minutes.

And it's cheap at The Only. Like me!!

Is the Barley Wine for sale in bottles at Mill Street Brewery?

They had it last weekend in the single bottle 5.00 or the gift pack with a glass 9.00 (I think). I had to ask for the single bottle as it was not in plain view

Was the Helles Bock available?

[quote="pootz"]Thanks Guys think I'll take a beer run this week end


how are you travelling?

northyorksammy wrote:

pootz wrote:Thanks Guys think I'll take a beer run this week end


how are you travelling?

I didn't

For those who may be looking for the Mill Street Barley Wine gift pack, here is some direct info from the brewery:

"Our barley wine gift pack is now available for $10.95 at a few LCBO's around town, including:

Queen's Quay
Summerhill
Front Street
Dufferin & Wilson
Avenue & Lawrence
Guelph
Chapters Plaza - Peterborough

That's all we've got carrying it so far. Summerhill received 2,000 units!! Probably too many in one store. We're going to try to spread it around this week."