Uinta Crooked Cockeyed Cooper Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine

Intrigued by the bottle, I picked up one of Uinta Brewing’s Crooked Line series, but have been intimidated by its high ABV and 750ml volume, so now that I have a friend over to share in the experience we’re pulling the top off Uinta Crooked Cockeyed Cooper Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine.

Uinta Crooked Cockeyed Cooper Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine poured a dark reddish-brown in the glass with a thin, sticky white head.  The nose carried strong pine, caramel, and subtle vanilla notes.

Uinta Crooked Cockeyed Cooper Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine opened with the pine hops hinted at the in the nose, with a strong undercurrent of sugar, sweetness, and a dark, earthy smoke.  The body grew thick and creamy as the alcohol heat came through, with dry notes of bakers chocolate.  As the ale faded, the bourbon and barrel came through, oaky and dry.

Uinta Crooked Cockeyed Cooper Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine is a good barley wine.  It isn’t too strong, isn’t too thick, and avoids ever getting cloyingly sweet.  There is something missing that makes it lack the depth of some of the best barley wine style ales around, but it stands up as a lighter entry when one considers the ABV of over 11%.