The Affligem Tripe from Brouwerij Affligem in Opwijk, Belgium pours out a golden orange in color with just a little haze and a voluminous, loosely bubbled, white head that is sticky and hangs around. On the nose aromas of citrus, peach, coriander and toast. In the mouth slightly sweet and fruity up front followed by the spice and then the hops, which mellow out the sweetness gradually, providing good malt to hop balance. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Excellent lacing. Smooth, slightly creamy, champagne like mouthfeel. Good length on the finish. A very good Tripel with exceptional balance and smoothness. An easy drinker that I will enjoy again.

750ml bottle, 9.50% ABV

The Pugsley's Signature Series barley Wine Style Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland, Maine pours out jet black in color with a fine bubbled, mocha colored head that wants to hang around. On the nose aromas of roasted grain, dark fruit, chocolate and some smoke. In the mouth this is slightly sweet with good roast flavor and hints of dark fruit and spice. Some tartness toward the end. Decent lacing. Quite carbonated. Full side of medium bodied. Creamy mouthfeel. A good length finish that is very heavy on the roasted flavor, quite dry and accented with smokiness. A very nice Barley Wine Style Ale I'll surely buy again.

22 ounce bomber, 8.50% ABV

The Urthel Vlaemse Bock from De Leyerth Brouwerijen in Ruiselede, Belgium pours out a deep, murky brown in color with a dense, two finger, tan head that hangs around for a while. The nose is quite sweet with some cola type aromas as well as dark, dried fruit, cherry and a little funkiness. In the mouth there is a lot of fig, prune and raisin with molasses but this is not sweet. In fact it may almost be on the sour side. Well carbonated. Good lacing. Close to full bodied. Slightly chewy mouthfeel. Fairly long finish that was more of the dark fruit but with a little coffee in there too. An interesting beer but I'm not sure I really liked it. It sort of left me wondering where it fits into the beer world. It has been classified as a Belgian Strong Dark Ale, yet others think of it as a Doppelbock or Dubbel, but it is really none of the above and I guess I'll go with the label - Dark Special Ale.

750ml bottle, 7.50% ABV

The Horn Dog Barley Wine Style Ale from Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland pours out a light, mahogany brown in color with a little haze and a one finger, light tan, tightly knit head that sticks around for a bit. Cherry, candied apple, caramel, and a little alcohol on the nose. In the mouth the sweetness comes first with dark fruits and a touch of spice. Hops come in to mellow the sweetness toward the end. Relatively low carbonation. Some lacing. Full side of medium bodied. Slightly viscous mouthfeel. The flavors go on for a good while in the finish. A good barley wine that should age pretty well.

2004 Silver Medal, The World Beer Cup & 2009 Gold Medal Winner Great American Beer Festival

12 ounce bottle, 10.20% ABV, 45 IBU

The Highway To Ale Barley Wine Style Ale from Beer Valley Brewing Company in Ontario, Oregon pours out golden brown in color with some amber hues and a large tan head that sticks around. Caramel, earthy and a good deal of dark fruit on the nose. In the mouth you get caramel first followed by a grapefruit like mild hop bitterness with some pine and spice that is followed by malty sweetness again. Excellent lacing. Well carbonated. Just past medium bodied. Slight creaminess to the mouthfeel. Dry on the finish with layer after layer of flavor. A very nice Barley Wine Style Ale I'd definitely buy again.

22 ounce bomber, 10.50% ABV, 75 IBU