It’s finally ready! We brewed a double-strength batch of Mirror Pond Pale Ale last March and aged it in a variety of new and used (Bourbon, Pinot Noir, Port) oak barrels. The final blending has taken place and there will be a limited release at 5PM on the Winter Solstice here at the Pub. It will also be available in other select outlets in the Pacific Northwest in December.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by beerguy101 from Newark, CA, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/27/2008 11:01:08 PM)
"Tasted on tap at the Bistro Barrel Aged Beer Festival on 11/15/2008. This Barleywine pours a medium orange gold color from the tap. Small sized white foamy head. The aroma is fruity and sweet with a touch of oak, there is a touch of funk as well. A medium bodied barleywine. The malts are fruity and sweet, with a touch of wood. The hops are earthy and floral. Nice balance. Good balance. Very smooth taste. Hides the alcohol well. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. "
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Forced Draught
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[2] Review by Vac from San Diego, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (11/22/2006 1:46:23 PM)
"Pours with an amber body topped by a thick, lasting head with a good amount of lacing. It’s sweet and malty with nice caramel notes and a nice underlying hop note with piney, citrus notes. Full bodied, warming and well carbonated."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.2)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by Beav from Fort Collins, CO, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (9/12/2006 2:02:11 AM)
"22 oz bottle, 2005 reserve (bought 6 months ago). Pours a reddish copper with a thin head that quickly diminishes.
The aroma is sweet caramel and toffee, dark fruits, and some vinous, slightly medicinal, alcohol.
The flavor is sweet caramel malts, a little fruitiness, and a medicinal alcohol bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium to full with soft velvety carbonation.
Overall, it has kind of a harsh flavor. I remember this being smoother when I had it fresh which is kind of odd. It's not bad though and goes down surprisingly easily."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
6/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $5 Unit Cost: $3.64 per Pint
[4] Review by Gromit from Port Orchard, WA, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (3/21/2006 11:34:37 PM)
"must...rate...to...style... I'm very impressed. It's not nearly as strong tasting as most Barley Wines. With most of this style I like to rush out and get several bottles to see how they age, but I gotta say, this tastes wonderfully aged straight out of the bottle.Very nicely done!
Appearance is a cloudy amber with virtually no head which is fine for the style, but a touch of lace would have been nice.
Aroma is is of dark fruits and... Damn, ever have a problem where every time you try to smell the beer you end up taking a sip before you get a good read? There's a hint of hops in there and maybe a touch of spice likely from the wine barrels. It's very subtle and quite mellow.
Flavor is smooth and mellow with some dark fruits (raisens, prunes mostly) and a hop presence that lingers but it hard to pinpoint. This is an extremely well-balanced beer.
Palate is thick and almost chewy and somewhat crisp for the style as opposed to being sickly sweet. Overall I think this is excellent comparing well with with anything out there. I really don't understand how anyone could give this less than a 4 without ignoring the style. Kudos to Deschutes!
"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.1)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[5] Review by Brad Pear from Snake View, Ca., USA who has tried this beer once. (3/2/2006 1:08:27 PM)
"Well I be double dog damn! A brew from Deschutes that ain't the shits!! Mirror Mirror is a barleywine kind of affair. Full body, oak aged, but no real oak flavors. Round, balanced, slightly sticky/malty brew. For $2.83 for 22 ounces, would drink it over many more expensive BWs. I am no fan of Deschutes, but I have to say, this goes well with crow."
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.7)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $2.83 Unit Cost: $2.06 per Pint
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(3.8)
