Gnarly Barley Wee Heavy by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. was judged as BJCP Category 17C.

An ample supply of deep rich caramel and dark toasted malts with enough light caramel to provide a precursor to the sweetness that awaits you in the flavor. As the beer warms hints of raisins, nuts and a bit of alcohol comes through. No hops are noted, which is fine for a wee heavy. Nothing off or out of place. The beer pours a dark copper and has a substantial amount of haze. No head but some tiny bubbles do manage to break through. The beer looks viscous and has legs.

The flavor starts out with a pronounced sweet cherry ester. There is an impression of kettle caramelization and dark crystal malts. Nothing reminiscent of hops in the flavor, again fine for style. This is sweet but shy of cloying thanks to the presence of alcohol and just enough bittering hops. Appropriately balanced toward the malt sweetness for the style. Alcohol esters come out toward the finish, which manages to be medium sweet. More deep caramel and cherries return in the aftertaste as well as a touch of plumb. Full bodied and chewy. Low carbonation levels and a very creamy impression. Pleasant levels of warming alcohol. A little sticky-sweet mouth coating is left behind, like you just finished some butterscotch hard candy.

A very luscious, filling desert beer. Reminds me of Schnecken topped with sweet cherries. A perfect after dinner liqueur. The lack of head and level of haze was a little distracting, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the pint. A touch more malt and dark fruit ester complexity or a slight hint of roasted malt would have brought it to another level but a fine example indeed.