Great Divide Old Ruffian Barley Wine-style Ale

You know what

beer I love that I haven't had in a while? Great Divide's Old Ruffian Barley Wine-style Ale, that's what. Brewed and bottled by Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, Colorado. Bottled on: Dec. 13, 2013. 10.2% by Vol. In true Great Divide fashion, two words accompany the beer name: Hefty. Hoppy.

Here are my original notes from back in February, 2005:

Aroma: Pours out a deep crimson, though clear, coloration, and has an enormous head, huge, cocoa-colored, long-standing, lovely...and, would you believe, the bottleneck bubbled over, with bubbles after the pour!  Leaves considerable, and attractive, lacing, as it diminishes, as well.

Aroma: huge, rich, full of flavor, a jar full of toffee with butterscotch dipped in for fun, with chocolate cherries on the side, and a snit of brandy waiting in the rafters.

Taste: big, bold, and boozy. Huge, rich, and full, utterly dripping in dark fruits, caramel, toffee, and so much character that pretenders tremble in it's wake ...seriously, this is a true contender amongst the ranks of fine American barley-wines.  Large fruity/hoppy characteristic. Damnably tasty...I must take another sip...dastardly delicious...yet nearly thick with flavor, ...yum, the intensity of flavor does not detract from the overall deliciousness...big, rich, and mighty...a damned good barley-wine.
I've got to stick some away for a rainy day.

Let's look at the label: "Old Ruffian is a hefty, hop-forward Barley Win-style Ale. Seemingly mellow at the start with subtle fruit aromas and complex caramel sweetness, it quickly becomes aggressive with it's bold hop flavors and huge hop bitterness. Ultimately, the big body, succulent sweetness and massive hop character came together to work wonders on your palate. 90 IBU."

 Then, some medals. Then some food pairings. And that's about it. And, 10 years after, I agree. It's a classically monstrous barley-wine in the American fashion. Love it.