J.W. Lees Harvest Ale

[BrewerB]

Found a couple bottles of 2001 and 2004-2006 J.W. Lees Harvest Ale here in town.

Anyone tried these? I'm tempted to crack open a 2001 tonight and set another one or two aside for awhile longer.

[djgray1200]

I got to try the Lees aged in calvados cask at the beer advocate event i went to recently. f'in amazing. one of my highlights of the evening. Unfortunately that's about all I remember of it. Had a lot of high grav beers that evening so all I can say is that it was noteworthy. I would greatly appreciate the chance to try it again and actually take notes this time. Great find!

[BrewerB]

Yeah, I've heard the same reactions to the beers from others. Often sampled at barleywine or other high grav tastings.

I'm just kicking myself for not buying the 1995/1996 bottles they had last time I was in the shop. They were only asking $6.99 for them.

[Petedadink]

there all crap!! Send them to me and I will properly dispose of them.
Need my adress?
We had a 1988 bottle about 3 years ago. Cap was crusty and the floatys were bad. My wife and I opend it and to this day it ranks as one of the best beers we have ever tasted.

[BrewerB]

WOW. Simply amazing.

My first impressions were very heavy alcohol on the nose. Then I realized it's been sitting in the bottle for 6 years, perhaps I should let it aerate.

Like a fine port, it's character starting coming out in layers. First I got hints of a toasty-malt aroma. Then raisins, dried fruits. Later I got this syrupy/molasses type scent wafting out. Prunes. So complex...

Poured a dark amber/brown color, head dissipated fairly quickly.

Flavor is just as complex as a fine port. This 275 ml bottle lasted me a good two hours as I sipped in on and off. Great raisiny, molasses like flavor. And like the aroma, with time, more flavors appeared.

Bits of toffee, lots of malty sweetness, dried fruits. Bitterness was certainly present, not overwhelming, nicely balanced.

I'm definitely going to pick up more for cellaring.