Barleywine - where to start?

I started with DFH Olde School. I like it every now and then, but I have another favorite. Its Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine. It. Is. Amazing. Get yourself some.

 

Since there's already a barleywine thread, I will ask my question here rather than starting a new one.

I recently tried my first barleywine. It was Solstice D'hiver from Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel (bought for the reasonable price and decent reviews). I enjoyed it, but I don't really see the need to buy more barleywine any time too soon. Was this not that good of an example of barleywine, or am I simply not much of a barleywine fan?

 

I had a bottle of Firestone Walker Sucaba last weekend and was very good, the previous suggestions are very good as well...but the Sucaba blew me 'outta the water.

 

Bigfoot is a great starting point as it is likely the widest in availability and isn't as boozy and seemingly over the top as others. Pike's Old Bawdy is a great one and is quite approachable. Not sure how easy it is to find outside the PNW though. I really like Abacus/Sucaba. I would recommend to just about anyone, and once you cut your teeth a bit, Arctic Devil from Midnight Sun is a great one, but not for beginners.

 

Not sure I understand this line of thought, just recommend a high end version to a newbie right away. Let them know what they should be looking for.

 

CW BBBW is amazing. took me from slightly enjoying barley wines to seeking out all that I can try.

 

I'd agree with this, though I've just been learning my way through barleywines over the last few months. probably didn't help that my first two were king henry and an aged abacus. I was a bit spoiled. but I've had some good ones since then, like backburner.

personally, I didn't think that bigfoot tasted like a barleywine at all. much, much hoppier than any that I'd had. was a good beer, but not what I expected. but as I said, I'm learning and this is the first I've heard that there's a difference between american and english (besides the funny accent, of course...). guess I'm more of a fan of the english.

I'd check out backburner for a nice cheap one.

 

I don't think you should base your assumptions on one barleywine...Try some of the higher rated Barleywines and then see if you like them or not...Also, try tasting a few English Barleywines, they are a little on the sweeter side. That might be just what your looking for...

Cheers!

 

Here's what I would recommend as far as starter barleywines go, Weter:

American:
Avery Hog Heaven -- simple, delicious, very easy-drinking, and a good value
Great Divide Old Ruffian -- fairly hoppy for the style, IMO; well-crafted
Lagunitas Old Gnarlywine -- my first barleywine in '09; didn't like it then (being new to the style), but have grown to love it; superb value
Redhook Treblehook (if you can find it) -- well-balanced and flavorful; great value
SN Bigfoot -- I didn't like this when I first had it, but I was blown away the 2nd time (palate change); a great go-to barleywine at an awesome price point; one of my favorites, both fresh and aged
Victory Old Horizontal -- another solid barleywine at a great value; a bit on the boozy side, though

English:
Anchor Old Foghorn -- my first within the English style; well-crafted and easily-obtainable
Clipper City Heavy Seas Below Decks -- not sure if you get it in Michigan, but very good, IMO
Hale's Rudyard's Rare -- solid; good value
Weyerbacher Insanity -- I'm trying to recommend non-barrel aged offerings to start with, but Insanity is absolutely fantastic and fairly easy to get ahold of

Hope you find this helpful. Have a great time exploring the world of barleywines!

 

Why not? You may not like it, but the fact is Bigfoot is the quintessential of American Barleywines. There is no question I would have you absolutely start with Bigfoot and you can find it almost anywhere. If you like that, then seek out other American Barleywines. If you think it's too hoppy, then you should seek out English style Barleywines like Old Foghorn, Horn Dog, Blithering Idiot etc.

 

Just because you think it's the "quintessential of American Barleywines" doesn't mean it is...giving this beer to a noob could completely turn him off to the style due to the strong hop profile...

 

Absolutely this. The OP is in Michigan anyway. This plus Bigfoot would be a pretty good, easily accessible introduction to the style.

 

Bass No 1 if you can find it

 

Barleywines are one of my least favorite beer styles but I enjoyed Bigfoot very much, so really, there is no perfect way to jump in.

 

Abacus!!!

 

I used to HATE barleywines. The combination of strong sweetness and big-time booziness used to remind me of cough syrup. After a while, I really started to warm up to them simply because of the freedom with which brewers can interpret this style. They can make them really sweet and caramel-like, they can make them extremely hoppy like a IIPA, they can impart subtle fruit notes, they can make them boozy and liquor-like, or they can barrel-age them and get something totally off-the-wall.

I would start off with easy-to-find barleywines. Old Foghorn should be available pretty much everywhere. Mendocino makes a nice ``imperial barleywine-style ale''. Arcadia Cereal Killer is also not too over-the-top. Brooklyn Monster Ale is nice with a bit of age on it and not entirely undrinkable fresh. If you REALLY like hops, try Bigfoot (in fact, try it anyway). Southern Tier Backburner is also not hard to find. Again, it all depends on what's in your area.

 

Agreed but what if the OP isn't a "Hophead" like some of us are? Would you then proceed to give the OP a Bigfoot as his first Barlywine?

 

Finally, someone mentioned insanity. Love this stuff

 

It is absolutely the quintessential of American barleywines, maybe not all Barleywines, but American for sure. As I said, it's easy to find, cheap and the best way to start off. If he doesn't like the hops, then he'll know to move away from the American style. Either way, start with Bigofoot and with a nice English style and see what he likes better. Do you not think that the majority of people that like/love Barleywines like/love Bigfoot? I think that is the case for sure. I have no proof, just gauging the opinion of it here.

You would recommend Insanity as a starter? Wow, I wouldn't, that beer is a monster. I love it, but still.

 

Like I said, just because YOU think it's the quintessential of American Barleywines doesn't mean it is...Yeah it's easy to find and relatively cheap, so are alot of other American Barleywines that I feel taste better...Old Numbskull for example is easy to find and I feel tastes way better and is ranked higher...Do people who like/love Barleywines like/love Bigfoot? I'm not sure, but I do know that some BA's don't like it fresh and preferred it with a year or two on it...the only Bigfoot the OP would be able to get right now is fresh unless he traded for some aged ones...it all comes down to the OP's taste...I on the other hand would start off a noob to Barleywines with some top of the line shit...that way he has a standard to base other Barleywines to...I have given Abacus/Sucaba to at least 10 noobs to Barleywines or BMC drinkers and have not had any complaints...7 of the 10, it is now their favorite Barleywine...Bigfoot on the other hand, I've given to 5 noobs and they all thought it was the nastiest shit ever...To each his own...

Cheers!