J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 2004 - Port
Fermentation is induced by J.W.Lees 'distinctive three-strain top-fermenting yeast. J.W.Lees Vintage Harvest Ale reaches 11.5 % alc./vol. once completely attenuated with a natural fermentation in open copper lined fermenting vessels that were commissioned in 1876 when the brew house was refurbished [J.W.Lees has been brewing at Greengate Brewery in Middleton Junction for six generations since 1828].
Willoughby's Finest Reserve Port [to mature JW Lees Harvest Ale]
'Specially blended for Willoughby's by Peter Symington, head winemaker at the Symington Family Port Companies, owners of Dow's, Graham's, Warre's and other famous Port shipping houses. This is a "Reserve" quality Port, not of a single vintage but of a superior blend, aged for up to 5 years in wood as opposed to the 2 or 3 years usually allowed for Ruby. It is full bodied, sweet and luscious, reminiscent of the style known in the 19th century as "Blackstrap".
An English Barley Wine from J.W. Lees Brewing, Manchester, England.
J.W.Lees Vintage Harvest Ale is only brewed once a year for release on December 1 of each year. It is a Limited Edition Vintage to celebrate the first brew from each year's harvest of Maris Otter barley and East Kent Goldings hops. Only the first delivery of the year's malt and hop is therefore used.
This bottle is from the Harvest 2004 batch that was aged in Willoughby's Finest Reserve Port barrels for four months before bottling.
11.5%abv, serve at 50-55°F
$7.69 each 11 oz bottle
87 points
91st percentile
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