Best Chicago barleywines

I was very impressed with Half Acre's Orin (I'm broadly characterizing this as a barleywine--not here to start a "barleywine" vs. "American strong ale" debate) when I tried it FOBAB weekend at Local Option. I noticed OP @GuyFawkes reviewed Orin as a "permanent pass." Fair enough, but FWIW I have a love 'em/hate 'em view on barleywines--many I can't stand but a few I absolutely love. I find the determining factor is almost always whether or not they're hot/abrasive. I found Orin flavorful, well balanced and full, and while the 13+% was certainly present it was in no way hot or abrasive. Just my 2 cents.

 

My feeling is that nothing is worth $100. It was good, but i only had a taste. Enjoyed it, thought it was a little boozy but pleasantly so, but didnt blow me away (this is about the new release). Take your $100 and buy lots of Straight Jacket.

 

It's been awhile; I've had one sitting in my fridge for like 2 years, because I'm never in the mood. It's a good beer, but I'm not willing to put it at the top of my list.

I really liked the first couple years of BCBBW, and I like Moody Tongue's BA chocolate barleywine, but I think I've gotta go with Rev's SJ now, which helps no one. BA Behemoth is excellent, but it has an apple-like taste that I find relatively unique and not BW-like. SJ has this caramel flavor to it that goes on for days; rarely am I surprised by a beer now, but I was by this one.

 

I have had the Ppeworks barrel-aged Murderous, I aged it for about 18 months but when I cracked it open it was delicious. Do have an Arctic Gale from Hailstorm sitting from the last release I'll have to give that a look. I kind of remember a Marty Stouffer's Wild America from half acre about five six years ago but I guess I pretty much get my fix from Revolution and BC as far as locals go.

 

Nah, screw those prices. When this thread inevitably culminates in a BiIL share I'll bring a bottle.

 

I’ll be more than happy to bring a Woodford BA Behemoth.......

 

Definitely not IMO. I had a pour over the summer. It was good, but not great.

 

Bump - anyone tried this?

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/31783/150907/

 

It wasn't very good when I had it fresh. Looking back at friends reviews it was more Belgian-y than it was a barleywine. Pretty sure 2015 was the last/only time it was released?

 

Thanks - maybe there's a new batch. Shelf full of it at the Heinen's in Glenview right across from the brewery...although, if there were ever a place to unload old aged stock, a retailer right across the street might do the trick :-)

 

I'll pitch in my answers.

Besides the obviously very old and expensive/difficult to obtain Goose Island King Henry, the best barleywine I have had from Chicago is definitely Revolution VSOJ. Straight Jacket is next and finally Mineshaft Gap.

Current Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Barleywine is good but not great; the older third-use ones were excellent and on par with Straight Jacket.

Spiteful's BA Belligerent Bob is great as well, and so is Pipeworks The Murderous (the BA one).

Maplewood's Barley Butcher is very good, and so are the variants.

Spiteful's non-BA Belligerent Bob is too hoppy for me, and the same can be said for the rest of Pipeworks's barleywines (like the X vs. Unicorn ones), but they are still pretty good in a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot American Barleywine sort of mold. I sort of feel that way about Three Floyds Behemoth as well.

I have never had either the old, legendary Flossmoor Station Wooden Hell nor the newer vintages. I also haven't had Half Acre's barleywines.

I have never been wowed by anything Begyle, Hailstorm, Crystal Lake, or Moody Tongue have done, including the barleywines.

 

I see you're part of the Church of VSOJ as well. Welcome brother.

 

Testify!

Gotta recognize greatness where I see it.

 

I haven't been down to the Dojo for it, but I'm sort of saving cash for a beercation right now, so I probably won't be headed back down for a while. I am interested in the Port one, but I won't be heartbroken if I miss out. Maybe I'll run into it somewhere.

Hailstorm has burned me multiple times in a variety of styles, and I just haven't cared to spend the cash on them since. That's cool though, more for you guys!