Cellaring Barleywine

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by brstls4drmrs, Jul 17, 2012.

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  1. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Just getting into this style of beer and enjoying it very much. And when I get into a particular style I tend to stock up on a few of them. So I'm wondering what everybody's experience is with aging barleywine. Any thoughts on this? Have you tried one of these aged brews? How did it change?

    cheers,

    jp
     
    #1 brstls4drmrs, Jul 17, 2012
  2. waltersrj

    waltersrj Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2010 Washington

    JP,
    It really depends on which barleywines you're aging and also whether they are English BarleyWines (malty) or American Barleywines (hoppy). Barrel aging is also a factor but really it comes down to whether there are any "flaws" that are noticeable to your palate which can change (possibly) with time. Not every beer needs to be cellared though thy is once again dependent on your own tastes in a beer. If you like a little sherry like oxidation in a beer then age your barleywines awhile and that will generally develop.
     
    #2 waltersrj, Jul 17, 2012
  3. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Good info. So far I have some BA Ruffian, Sucaba & bigfoot.
     
    #3 brstls4drmrs, Jul 17, 2012
  4. hopsputin

    hopsputin Grand Pooh-Bah (4,403) Apr 1, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    If you can get your hands on some Old Foghorn, it comes in 6 packs and would be good to stock up on. Malty deliciousness
     
    #4 hopsputin, Jul 17, 2012
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  5. JRod1969

    JRod1969 Maven (1,290) Nov 23, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Old Ruffian ages well, but I have not tried it with the BA version.

    Sucaba is debatable. Some say it's better fresh, some say better aged. It's probably 60%/40% in favor of fresh, but I personally like it aged.

    Bigfoot is a no brainer to age forever. People buy a case when they have a kid and prepare for a 21 year vertical down the road.
     
    #5 JRod1969, Jul 17, 2012
  6. harrymel

    harrymel Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2010 Washington

    If you like american BW's, then just buy some IIPA's and DIPA's They age into BW's gracefully. :wink:

    Seriously though, BW's age really well, but my preference is aging English BW's, as I dig the malt profiles and the tawny character they seem to adopt as they age. American's retain too much bitterness for me generally.
     
    #6 harrymel, Jul 18, 2012
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