Accessible Barleywines

Dont overlook this ^ since you liked Bigfoot. I also find many TIPAs (and some doubles) drink like a hoppy barleywine. Especially ones with some age on them. (Founders Devil Dancer, Sixpoint Hi Res, Dogfish Head 90 Min and Burton Baton to name a few)

Of course, you mentioned exploring less hoppy versions. It was already mentioned by several that English style is where you need to explore. There are several great beers mentioned in here, but many of them are going to be difficult to find regardless of being in Las Vegas. Here are a few online sites that I have ordered from.
http://craftshack.com
http://store2.craftbeertemple.com
http://www.craftbeerkings.com/#container

I second the Victory Old Horizontal and Oaked Old Horizontal. Very good and reasonably priced for big bottles. I also love Arcadia Cereal Killer for a non-bourbon barrel example. Speaking of which, if you are not into bourbon barrel aged beers, you are going to find that the list shrinks quickly. Unfortunately there are not a ton of straight up representations. Good luck.

 

Agree. I too think you would enjoy a lot of Scotch Ales. Skull Spiltter is a wonderful beer.

 

Great list, but I had to trade some good beer to get a MOAS and still havent aquired an Arctic Devil yet. Of course our ABV cap keeps them out of Ohio, so maybe they are on other peoples shelves commonly Most of these are available online frequently though. I like your updated list too

 

Price keeps them on shelves here. $25 for a 22oz bottle, I pretty much see them year round now. Arctic Devil too, although that one is cheaper ($15). I prefer MOAS but buy more AD, for obvious reasons.

 

Congrats on popping your cherry. Many barleywines need significant time before the dried fruit and other flavors become more prominent. If you do find ones you like, I recommend putting a couple away for later.
Another option for you that often has a lot of dried fruit notes and is less bitter might be some of the high ABV Belgian beers (quads, Belgian dark strong ale, and others).

 

I've seen the term "barley wine" used for such Belgian beers.

 

I love barleywines and I want to continuously stock up on them all year long so that in the winter I can drink them every night. I just saw Hibernation Ale on sale -- $6/6 pack. And yes. It's mine.

I generally err on the malty side.

 

Yes, please.

 

No its not!!!!! It's called my area Distribution sucks ass!

 

How does what beers you get through distribution affect what style a beer is?

 

Stone Old Guardian & Alesmith Old Numbskull are excellent..Great Divide Old Ruffian,21st Amendment Lower de Boom,Bell's Third Coast Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale are really good as well as far as being readily available..DFH Olde School & Immort Ale are great as well..if you can find them..

 

I really love Anchor's Old Foghorn. It's a bit underrated, IMO. I love other American-style Barleywines that are loaded with hops, such as Bigfoot and Old Guardian; but Old Foghorn is mellow and not through the roof in ABV.

 

I've rarely met a Barley Wine I didn't like. Its a fairly broad category with American versions - generally hoppier and Brittish versions that often develop more sherry like flavors. You will have a good time working your way through the style.