Real Ale's Sisyphus 2008

I have high hopes for the 2008. I've heard it's hoppier, as a barleywine is supposed to be, and the 2007 was decidedly unexciting.

Starts out great. Pours slowly and thick, almost oily. Great light tan head that thins to a sheet with slow, small carbonation. Excellent deep amber color.

Smalles hugely malty. Sweet with a hint of grassy hops. Strong smell of bread, but it feels a bit crisp in the smell.

Man, it's slow. Goes down smoothly, like a heavy cream ale. Huge body. Big bitterness that is mostly indistinct, primarily because it has to fight through the big body and malt. Fades to an twangy grassy aftertaste, and the bready malt never fades.

Very good beer. Huge step up from last year, and I'm looking forward to letting it age and also to trying it side by side with the '07 as well. Good to see such a big beer from Texas.