hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Tally-Ho

Tap to rate

A barley wine brewed at Adnams since 1880 and released each year as a limited vintage. Dark mahogany red, it is rich and fruity, with sweet raisins, dark chocolate and toasted bread and the depth of Christmas cake. An extended maturation gives a smooth, round mouthfeel set against a chewy caramel sweetness. Pale ale, crystal, brown and black malt make up the grist, with First Gold as the hop.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter27 IBU
SRM
amber14
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelmaltydark fruit
caramel
malty
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose opens with rich, dried fruit notes—raisins and dark plum—layered beneath aromas of dark chocolate and toasted bread.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tally-Ho

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany-red colour with excellent clarity and a substantial, creamy head that clings to the glass. The body shows good viscosity on the pour, hinting at the beer's complexity and age-worthiness. Lacing is persistent and well-defined throughout the tasting.

deep mahogany-redcreamy headexcellent claritypersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with rich, dried fruit notes—raisins and dark plum—layered beneath aromas of dark chocolate and toasted bread. Subtle First Gold hop character adds a gentle floral undertone, while hints of caramel and spice emerge from extended maturation. No sharp alcohol vapours; the overall impression is warm and inviting.

dried stone fruitdark chocolatetoasted breadcaramel spice

◐ Taste

The palate delivers chewy caramel sweetness balanced against restrained bitterness (27 IBU), allowing the malt complexity to dominate. Flavours of Christmas cake, raisins, and dark chocolate build through the mid-palate, with a slight peppery warmth from the 7.2% ABV. The mouthfeel is smooth and round, with no harsh edges or astringency.

caramel sweetnessChristmas cakerestrained bitternesssmooth mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of dark chocolate, toasted grain, and raisin that persist gently on the palate. The beer closes with a soft, honeyed dryness rather than sharp dryness, inviting reflection and further sips.

long finishwarminghoneyed dryness
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
86
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
81
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Excellent cellar candidate — can age 3–10 years, developing dried fruit, toffee and sherry notes.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Tally-Ho

More from Adnams

Adnams Dry Hopped Lager
Adnams Dry Hopped Lager
Dry-Hopped Lager
4.2% · 22 IBU
Find matches →
Adnams English Lager
Adnams English Lager
Pale Lager
3.4% · 22 IBU
Find matches →
Adnams Extra Special Bitter
Adnams Old Ale
Adnams Old Ale
Dark Mild
4.1% · 24 IBU
Find matches →
Big Skies
Big Skies
West Coast IPA
6.7% · 60 IBU
Find matches →
Blackshore
Blackshore
Stout
4.2% · 35 IBU
Find matches →
Blanche Witbier
Both Barrels
Both Barrels
Strong Ale
9% · 35 IBU
Find matches →

About Barleywine

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Barleywine?

Barleywine is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Barleywine

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same rich, full-bodied, caramel character as Tally-Ho will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Barleywine beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →