Odell Woodcut #8 - Barleywine

I thought they said the rest of the Woodcut series would be stouts?

 

S'pose so.

 

Everything from the Woodcut line has been quality IMO so this is just another Odell gem I'll be looking forward to. Too bad i won't be able to do a whole other vertical though like I did back in April with Woodcut 1-7

 

4-months isn't long enough, 6-months+ or bust for a BA barleywine.

 

It really depends on what they are trying to achieve. Take Anderson Valley's BBL Stout for instance - it's only aged 2-3 months in Turkey barrels from my understanding and imparts a huge bourbon flavor.

 

I'll have to try that one, I have yet to have a good BA barleywine that's been aged <6-months. (from what I remember)

 

Remember though that the Woodcut series is all virgin oak, so it won't be pulling any Bourbon/ Whiskey flavors at all. Sitting on one for a while won't hurt. I hope they lower the price point a bit as I still see bottles of 7 on the shelves.... I was happy to see them cut the price on 7.

 

Very valid point about the virgin oak, it likely does take longer to impart the more subtle notes from such barrels. Odell's 750ml offering do tend to be a bit pricey, but for the work that goes into them and the quality that you get, I won't complain too much, and I will definitely continue to vote with my dollar for them.

 

I'll give it a try if it shows up in Casper. To be honest and truthful to you all and myself, I haven't been a big fan of the Woodcut series in general, kicking the higher price point to the curb. I want more Meddler and Friek, please.

 

I think we're gonna get hosed on the Meddler. I saw some video podcast from a brewing school with the cellar guy from Odell from about 6 months ago, and he said that the Meddler was most likely a one-off. It took a long time for it to mature in the barrels. Dunno why it cost 10 bucks less than the Oak-cut series, though.

I'm drinking a Jester King Oi-Oi right now, and now that you mention the Meddler, I've got to say that that is what Oi-Oi most reminds me of. It doesn't have as high of an abv, or the great oak character of the Meddler, but it has a similar malt profile and sourness level. If you ever get a chance to get a bottle, I say go for it.

 

One of my faves. Good thing I still have a couple bottles kickin around

 

If barrel aging beer is anything like barrel aging wine, new oak barrels will impart a stronger flavor faster than using old barrels. Of course, new barrels will impart no bourbon (or rum or wine or fernet or tequila or whatever) notes because there are no bourbon notes hanging around in the barrel to impart into the beer.

 

dunno - i was sorely disappointed in Anderson Valley's BA stout, may be that my preference is heavy bourbon and a stronger/higher ABV option but was not a fan.

I'll try this when i see if if its not at the $25 price point... love me a BA barleywine....

 

Well here's the kicker. I LOVE Odell, but I'll never buy the Woodcut series. Reason 1: Virgin barrels are the primary driver in the cost of the beers. If they can make The Meddler and sell it for $14 they have no business selling me a virgin oak beer for $10 more. NONE. It's not worth it.

And I totally forgot that it's virgin barrels, so if this is truly an OAK-aged barleywine and NOT a barrel-aged barleywine, I'll be passing.

 

Agreed and Odell is my favorite brewery!! (maybe a little homerism if that's a word) Just not a Woodcut fan (as well as some of their other limited, bomber releases) and not at $25. Enjoy Friek (love this beer), non infected BBS, Saboteur and maybe a few others. But their pilot, regular and seasonal releases are great!

 

Just like the OAK aged RIS, not BA. You hit the nail on the head.

 

I feel homerism for Odell too. I'd be kind of lost without their core brews and the stuff they do that leans towards the sour side. 36 of their beers I've tried so I guess that's where my homerism comes into play.

Re the topic, if it's anything like their old India Barleywine, that would work for me. I reviewed it fresh but I also had it with some time on it; it aged nicely.