Finally cracked Sierra's XXX Anniversary Black Barleywine this afternoon. Obviously not my photo:
Poured a deep near-black with beautiful ruby highlights at the edges. Dark tan head that stuck around pretty nicely for a beer this big. Bottle says it's 10.2%. The aroma was of dark fruits and licorice. Taste starts out like the nose, with lots of plummy, raisiny sweetness, and then that gives way to a bitter chocolate, roasty finish. Bracing bitterness throughout, it's well-hopped for sure. The finish also has some alcohol warmth to go with the roastiness, but its not abrasive or solvent-like.
This was another outstanding XXX beer from Sierra. I believe I paid $10 for the caged, corked 750. I'm definitely going to go out and get another bottle to cellar for a while. All of these anniversary beers have been fantastic.