Grand Illumination Ale
Williamsburg Alewerks
Williamsburg, VA  USA

The label calls this a hybrid of American and English style barleywines.  This winter seasonal from Alewerks comes in at 10% ABV and is available in 22oz bottles.  Alewerks does a great job with their Brewmaster's Reserve series, and though this may not be the least memorable of their current lineup,(including Cafe Royale, Bourbon Barrel Porter, and Bitter Valentine) in no way is this a beer that you should pass up.

Pouring a deep reddish color, you get a small amount of head that fades pretty quickly.  The hoppiness of the American style and the malt backbone of the English style do a good job mingling, with the hops eventually winning out after the swallow.  You get the dark fruity sweetness along with the piney hop flavors.  I'd say the hybrid description is apt in this case.  You also get a good amount of alcohol that brings a bit of warmth with it.  The alcohol presence increases as the beer sits, making for a nice complexity throughout the glass.  Mouth is medium, not too thick or sticky, about what you would expect from an American Barleywine.

Grand Illumination is worth a try.  A bomber will only run about $7, and it is a good warm up for the rest of the Brewmasters Reserve line, which continue to be a highlight of my beer drinking year.