Happy November (I know this is the second post this month, but it's the first true post)! This is a big month for me. It sits right between my two favorite holidays. It's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a challenge where I (and many other similarly-inclined fools) attempt to write fifty-thousand words of a novel in just a short thirty days. But, most importantly for the blog, it's Maple Month, wherein I explore beers and ciders crafted with my favorite adjunct, maple syrup.

We're starting off strong this month with a barleywine from Jackie O's. Calling back to Southeast Ohio's history, Iron Furnace is an ode to the Hope Furnace, a spot near and dear to my heart. Let's see if I'll hold the resulting beer in equal esteem.

Long time readers of the blog need no introduction to Jackie O's. And don't worry, you newer folks; I have you covered. The Athens, OH brewery's been a staple of the town since 2007, when owner Art Oestrike converted the old O'Hooley's bar into a brewpub named for his late mother, Jackie. The brewery grew and expanded around town over the years and in 2023 (just last year!) opened a non-Athens location in Columbus, OH's Jackie O's on Fourth. Their beers touch on nearly every style and concept one can imagine. There's a reason they're so beloved by Ohio University grads.

This all brings us to Iron Furnace. As mentioned previously, the barleywine's a callback to the Hope Furnace, standing to this day in Vinton County, OH. Although no longer in use, the structure is still as tall and imposing as it ever was. Just like what this beer promises to be. Iron Furnace clocks in at 13.6% ABV. Featuring "...a ludicrous amount of local [to Athens] maple syrup...," the barleywine's had eighteen months to rest in bourbon barrels. Sounds like a hell of a way to kick of November proper.

Iron Furnace kicks things off with an intoxicating bouquet. A whiff presents gobs of maple syrup, creamy milk chocolate, smokiness, molasses, vanilla, oak, and booze. I'm picking up on the brown sugar, some caramel, and some roasty coffee, too. It's a good cure for gloomy and chilly November evening. Purrl gave it eleven whiffs, so it's up her alley, too.

The palate here packs a hell of a punch. There's dark, roasty malt. There're dark chocolate and coffee. I'm finding a touch of molasses and prunes. But, most importantly, the maple here is huge. It's sticky and sweet, and it lingers long in the finish with the bourbon barrel character (oak and vanilla) and a solid boozy burn. 

This is a thick beer (as you'd guess by the fact that it's a barleywine). It's voluptuous and full. Downright chewy even, in the absolute best way possible.

I've been listening to a lot of Glåsbird lately. It's atmospheric ambient that's perfect for quiet November evenings. The music evokes images of sprawling frosted and frozen landscapes reaching for the horizon. It's somber and introspective. Great for thinking and writing. Also great for drinking an amazing barleywine.

Let me cut right to the chase: I'm giving Jackie O's Iron Furnace a 10/10. I'm not a huge barleywine guy, but this is the best barleywine I've ever had. The maple is just the icing on this behemoth of a cake.