New to Barleywines. Recommendations?

Was my first Barleywine. I was a bit intimidated.

 

much easier to get than MOAS for me! but yeah, good stuff.

helldorado also deserves a mention. wasn't a huge fan of it fresh but had a '15 recently and it was exceptional - much more bready and complex now...i think i like it more than sucaba.

 

Lagunitas gnarlywine. A bomber for around 5 bucks. Awesome deal

 

Bourbon County BW (other than the infected 15)
Revolution Straight Jacket
Central Waters BA BW
3F BA Behemoth
Bell's Third Coast
Firestone Walker Sucaba

 

Why even click on the thread then? Or did you just open it to reply about how much you don't like it. The OP is just asking for advice.

 

Totally agree with this thought. I believe I included that in my written review. When does a very malty relatively high ABV DIPA become a barley wine?

 

Im personally a fan of Rock Arts - Vermonster and their BA Vermonster

 

The Fuller's Vintage Ales are also worthy. Aboot the same price as JW Lees.

 

Does 120 Minute do that? General question not directed solely at you.
I only had it once and it was fresh. I didn't like it.

 

Does 120 cross the line into BW territory? Maybe, but it's a pretty unique beer. It may be a style unto itself!

 

Just don't try to drink 5 different ones in one night. That didn't end well for me.

 

Geez. Were your 1st 2 girlfriends super models too? Unfortunately it's all downhill from where you started. But I agree with many of the suggestions above although you have spoiled yourself.

 

The good news is that Barleywine and Old Ale are two different names for the same thing.

 

I love both of these big high flavor styles so there are probably many similarities but I respectfully disagree. On the extreme edges these two styles may overlap but I don't consider them the same. Put simply BWs are high ABV DIPA/TIPA while old ales exhibit much more vinous acidic qualities.

I will continue to test your hypothesis.

 

Anchor's Old Foghorn

 

I think Avery's dryhopped barleywine is a better DIPA than majaraja... is that bad?

 

I was on board til you called barleywines DIPA. A barleywine and a triple ipa are far different beasts, with the TIPA coming across more like an american quad thats over hopped. But again, they are different styles completely for more reasons than I want to adress now.
I feel an old ale is "barleywine lite". Most of the ingredients and processes are the same, but the gravity of the beer is lower in an old ale in my experience.

 

I concur with this choice.

 

Here is an option of each type too.

Cognac Barrel Aged Bernese Barleywine Ale from
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company (American style)

and

Arctic Devil Barley Wine
Midnight Sun Brewing Co. (English style)