Summit Union Series Old Blaggard Barleywine – A First Sampling

I really enjoy some of the unique and unusual beers coming out of the Summit Brewing Unchained and Union Series brews.  The ingredients are unique and the styles always push at the edges of the envelope…in a good way.

Today I was excited to find a new Union Series beer waiting for me at mybeerbuzz headquarters.  This beer is the 5th Union Series release, but more importantly, it’s the first ever Barleywine beer that Summit has release.

The beer is called Old Blaggard and we brought you an early peek at the packaging back in Sept.  They tell me this beer is named after brewmaster Damian McConn, but I’ll have to follow up on exactly why.

Old Blaggard is an English-style Barleywine and it was brewed with Odyssey Pale Malt and Endeavour hops (both from the United Kingdom).  I’m a big fan of English Barleywines, so I couldn’t resist sampling this one.

Old Blaggard starts with a malty & biscuit-y aroma that is complex and robust.  The color is spot on for an English Barleywine and the flavor is deep and inviting.  I tasted a strong sweet-malty presence with lots of dark fruits and of course it helps that the beer has a really rich mouthfeel.  The finish is slightly boozy and surprisingly hoppy, and despite the higher AbV, I found the beer to beer really drinkable…all in all a great example of an English Barleywine.

Be careful with this one.  Old Blaggard is pretty easy drinking (12oz bottles), but it marches in at 10.1%-AbV so it will sneak up on you. (especially that last 0.1%-AbV).  This beer has a surprisingly high 50 IBU, which you’ll definitely notice, but it keeps the beer well balanced and cuts nicely through the sweeter malt.

If I haven’t mentioned it already, I really liked Summit Old Blaggard English Barleywine.  Be sure to try this beer for yourself and as always, be sure to let me know what YOU think.