Phase Three Arabesque 2024 BA Barleywine

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.5Untappd

Arabesque (2024) pours a deep mahogany-brown with ruby highlights and virtually no head retention — as expected from a viscous, high-gravity barleywine at 17.1% ABV. The minimal crown gives way immediately to a rich, syrupy surface that hints at the density within. On the nose, the beer is seductively complex: waves of rum-soaked raisins, caramel candy, dark baking spices, charred oak, and a warm undercurrent of wheated bourbon that pulls everything together. The palate is full-bodied and luxuriously thick, coating the mouth with layers of dark toffee, dried fruit compote, vanilla bean, and a whisper of molasses.

The dual-barrel aging regimen — over three and a half years total, spanning Heaven Hill bourbon and a secondary blend of rum and wheated bourbon — has integrated seamlessly, lending a smooth, spirituous warmth without harsh edges. Bitterness is subdued, as befits the English barleywine tradition, with sweetness taking center stage and finishing on a long, warming tail of charred oak and raisin. Despite its formidable strength, Arabesque drinks with remarkable composure. A serious cellar candidate, with the depth and structure to reward aging for several years. Rated 4.5/5 on Untappd. Full details at https://untappd.com/b/phase-three-brewing-arabesque-2024/6057261.

Food Pairing

Phase Three Arabesque 2024 pairs magnificently with aged blue cheese such as Roquefort. Its creamy, pungent saltiness acting as a foil to the beer’s caramel richness and barrel-driven sweetness. Equally compelling alongside a dark chocolate fondant with salted caramel, where the rum and bourbon barrel character of this Phase Three Arabesque 2024 English barleywine finds a natural, indulgent counterpart.