Bay Area barrel-aged stouts & barleywines

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by grilledsquid, Nov 7, 2016.

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  1. grilledsquid

    grilledsquid Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2009 California
    Trader

    Being new to the area, I'd like to get some input on what I should be looking out for in terms of barrel-aged stouts and barleywines. I know Cellarmaker does bourbon barrel Vastness of Space, but what else is worth looking out for?
     
    #1 grilledsquid, Nov 7, 2016
  2. m34josh

    m34josh Zealot (508) Oct 19, 2009 California
    Trader

    Alpha Acid Barrel Constrictor, and it's variants are worth looking out for. Small batches though so it can be hard to find. I'm not a fan of Drakes, but others might recommend some of their BA stuff. Sierra Nevada too with their Berkeley location

    Pretty slim picking in the Bay Area in the way of BA stuff, other than buying bottles made elsewhere. Probably due to the cost of real estate for storing the barrels
     
    #2 m34josh, Nov 7, 2016
  3. grilledsquid

    grilledsquid Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2009 California
    Trader

    Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for the Alpha Acid beers. This region's killing it when it comes to IPAs but you've sort of confirmed my belief that i'll have to look elsewhere for the BA stuff.
     
    #3 grilledsquid, Nov 7, 2016
  4. Xul

    Xul Pooh-Bah (2,139) May 18, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The Barrel Constrictor variants have been brewery only for bottles (three bottled variants across two release events thus far) and sold out same day - you're not going to find them hanging around. The brewery or Ale Arsenal may be sitting on a keg or two still but if they are, it would likely make an appearance during SF Beer Week or some other special event.
     
    #4 Xul, Nov 7, 2016
  5. reefer_bob

    reefer_bob Savant (1,010) May 13, 2014 California
    Trader

    Incubus by Heretic is a damn fine beer.
    Barabis by Bike dog is also quite tasty.
    Drakes has several good options.
    BA Narwhal is excellent, there are 4 variants available at the torpedo room right now.
     
    #5 reefer_bob, Nov 7, 2016
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  6. grilledsquid

    grilledsquid Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2009 California
    Trader

    Thanks for the clarification. It looks like I still need to put in work, which is going to be tough for me at the moment.
     
    #6 grilledsquid, Nov 7, 2016
  7. AndresR

    AndresR Pundit (832) Jul 19, 2009 California
    Trader

    THIS. BA Incubus us fantastic.

    Plus, Beltane brewing Apple Brandy barleywine is the best BW in norCal. But, it's draft only and they stereo shut down at the moment.
     
    #7 AndresR, Nov 7, 2016
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  8. thuey

    thuey Pooh-Bah (1,705) Nov 13, 2015 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Anchor is releasing their Barrel Aged Old Foghorn next week for the first time.
     
    #8 thuey, Nov 7, 2016
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  9. AndresR

    AndresR Pundit (832) Jul 19, 2009 California
    Trader

    Yup, but I think it's being blended down after the aging. Like the stout they released a few months back. Lame
     
    #9 AndresR, Nov 7, 2016
    KevSal likes this.
  10. spark3148857

    spark3148857 Pooh-Bah (1,595) Dec 4, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Just to add to the list: Speakeasy just released their 2016 BA Scarface (blended with new batch), not sure if they plan to release a Syndicate this year (blend of barrel aged beers), and they typically released BA Barleywine in the spring/summer. Fieldwork busted out barrel aged beers for SFBW last year and they were absolutely tasty. Don't miss out on BA Imperial Coffee and Cigarettes but I think it will be an extended period of time before we see that from Cellarmaker again.
     
    #10 spark3148857, Nov 10, 2016
    Chcshammonde likes this.
  11. Chcshammonde

    Chcshammonde Initiate (0) Sep 20, 2014 California

    Speakeasy Syndicate #3 was pretty impressive. BA Blend of stout and barleywines.
     
    #11 Chcshammonde, Nov 10, 2016
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