Phase Three Brewing Arabesque Reserve 2024 Triple Barrel-Aged English Barleywine

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.6Untappd

Phase Three Brewing’s Arabesque Reserve (2024) is a titan of American barrel-aged craft brewing — a dark, English-style barleywine that emerges from an extraordinary triple-barrel aging journey totalling 36 months in wood. In the glass it pours a deep, near-opaque mahogany-black, with only the faintest garnet glow at the edges and virtually no head, its dense, syrupy surface betraying the immense body within. The nose is immediately seductive: waves of rum-soaked raisin. Also English toffee, ripe fig, charred vanilla, and warm caramel candy intertwine with a whisper of baking spice and bourbon char from the Heaven Hill casks. On the palate, the mouthfeel is luxuriously full and chewy — almost vinous — with remarkably low carbonation that lets every layer of flavour unfurl at its own pace.

Sweetness leads with dark fruit compote and molasses cookie, before a mid-palate shift brings smoky oak. And rum-laced dried fruit, and a subtle baking-spice heat. The finish is long, warming, and gently drying, leaving trails of caramel, char, and spirit. Despite its commanding 17.1% ABV, this is an exceptionally smooth and drinkable barleywine. Therefor equally rewarding now or after years in the cellar. Rated 4.6/5 on Untappd. See the full community profile at https://untappd.com/b/phase-three-brewing-arabesque-reserve-2024/5717264.

Food Pairing

The Phase Three Arabesque Reserve 2024 calls for equally bold companions at the table. Pair it with an aged Stilton or Époisses cheese — the funky, creamy fat cuts through the barleywine’s tannins while mirroring its dried-fruit intensity. Alternatively, serve alongside a slow-braised beef short rib glazed with molasses and bourbon: the caramelised bark and deep umami echo the beer’s rich toffee and charred-oak character beautifully.

Phase Three Brewing Arabesque Reserve (2024)