Ran out and bought some of Dominion's Millenium when it came out last
week. Have loved the stuff in the past, think it's one of the best
British-style barleywines around, has typically had a wonderful
butterscotch/toffee character, incredibly tasting. This year's, on the
other hand, doesn't seem even vaguely up to snuff. There's no
butterscotch at all, has kind of an overpowering, cloying sweetness to
it, and the alcohol burn is VERY noticeable, none of which have been
characteristics I've ever encountered with it in the past.

Anyone else tried it this year and had the same opinion? I'm really
disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to its release.
--
************************************************** ***************
Dan Iwerks thinks that the beer you're drinking probably sucks.
The fundamental problem with Solipsism is it makes me
responsible for the fact that you're a complete idiot.
************************************************** ***************

"Dan Iwerks" dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom wrote in message
...
Ran out and bought some of Dominion's Millenium when it came out last
week. Have loved the stuff in the past, think it's one of the best
British-style barleywines around, has typically had a wonderful
butterscotch/toffee character, incredibly tasting. This year's, on the
other hand, doesn't seem even vaguely up to snuff. There's no
butterscotch at all, has kind of an overpowering, cloying sweetness to
it, and the alcohol burn is VERY noticeable, none of which have been
characteristics I've ever encountered with it in the past.

Anyone else tried it this year and had the same opinion? I'm really
disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to its release.

I've enjoyed Millenium in the past. Thanks for the heads up. I'll see about
hunting one down tonight and see if it seems different. I'm currently
drinking a 2004 Bigfoot which seems in line with previous years. I've
decided I really do like it better fresh as I have 2001, 2002, and 2003
vintages in the fridge to choose from.

Garry

"Dan Iwerks" dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom wrote in message
...
Ran out and bought some of Dominion's Millenium when it
came out last
week. Have loved the stuff in the past, think it's one of
the best
British-style barleywines around, has typically had a
wonderful
butterscotch/toffee character, incredibly tasting. This
year's, on the
other hand, doesn't seem even vaguely up to snuff.
There's no
butterscotch at all, has kind of an overpowering, cloying
sweetness to
it, and the alcohol burn is VERY noticeable, none of which
have been
characteristics I've ever encountered with it in the past.

Anyone else tried it this year and had the same opinion?
I'm really
disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to its
release.
--
Now I know my assignment. I'll let you know when I find
out.

"Bruce Reistle" wrote in
message ...

"Dan Iwerks" dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom wrote in message
...
Ran out and bought some of Dominion's Millenium when it
came out last
week. Have loved the stuff in the past, think it's one
of
the best
British-style barleywines around, has typically had a
wonderful
butterscotch/toffee character, incredibly tasting. This
year's, on the
other hand, doesn't seem even vaguely up to snuff.
There's no
butterscotch at all, has kind of an overpowering,
cloying
sweetness to
it, and the alcohol burn is VERY noticeable, none of
which
have been
characteristics I've ever encountered with it in the
past.

Anyone else tried it this year and had the same opinion?
I'm really
disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to its
release.
--
Now I know my assignment. I'll let you know when I find
out.

OK, got it. And at $7.99 per six. Millennium is clearly an
American barleywine. This year it might be a bit thinner
than I remember, but still retains the house character. I'm
not sure if Millennium is losing ground by standing still,
but it's still top notch.

Dan Iwerks dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom wrote in message 0...
Ran out and bought some of Dominion's Millenium when it came out last
week. Have loved the stuff in the past, think it's one of the best
British-style barleywines around, has typically had a wonderful
butterscotch/toffee character, incredibly tasting. This year's, on the
other hand, doesn't seem even vaguely up to snuff. There's no
butterscotch at all, has kind of an overpowering, cloying sweetness to
it, and the alcohol burn is VERY noticeable, none of which have been
characteristics I've ever encountered with it in the past.

Anyone else tried it this year and had the same opinion? I'm really
disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to its release.

I was dissapointed as well. It seems to be more attenuated this year
which has decreased the body somewhat and added to the alcohol
harshness (though I didn't get the sweetness that you did). Perhaps
they switched yeast strains or lowered the mash temperature? A new
yeast strain could explain the lack of diacetyl in the nose. Usually,
I buy a case of Millenium each year. This year however, it's only
going to be a six-pack. We'll have to see how it ages.

Jack