Southern Tier Back Burner Barley-wine Ale

Looking at notes from a bottle in July, 2008, but drinking right now on tap. It's Back Burner, the barley-wine from Southern Tier, and do I like it. Here's what I wrote then:


Clear, crimson hued, slim, creamy head.

Aroma: rich, pungent, dark fruit meets brandy...cherry notes, sweet, but not too syrupy, rounds out dryly in the end.

Drinkin'...plump on the palate, and right quick, alcohol comes burning in, blazes the back of the mouth. Profusely malty, gathering sweetness, growing texture, bitter hops scouring the tongue.

Flavor lasts long in the mouth. Persistent finish. Big, hot, wet and juicy. Mmmm-mmm.