Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

What an awful, cloying, one dimensional mess. If anyone wants to try it at home, make simple syrup out of brown sugar and suck it down. Cheers. @Resistance88

 

FYI: Before i send these out i tell everyone its trash
Starting at b4k when i first had the Brew X000 series it was cloying garbage IMO i didnt even bother with b6k

 

I like 3 Floyds but this beer is a typical American over-oaked beer. I’ve grown to dislike the approach. I’m happy to finish the last beer of the 4 pack. Is there a strong ale more American than an over-oaked, bourbon barrel aged beer with salted caramel, vanilla, and cocoa nibs? And yet we claim it’s English in style rather than our own. The methodology is silly. On the plus side, this beer doesn’t show it’s strength.

 

sounds like there’s some complexity to it. I personally prefer barrel character to burnt sugar. Might not be traditional but is the preferable flavor characteristics for me anyways. Cheers.

 

For me, this one was all about wood and wouldn’t satisfy someone who was interested in what the barrel previously held… but I’m sure others would have a different reaction.

 

Popped this bomber of Wheatwine open, poured at 53° Into a 12 oz snifter.
Deep golden brown brew with a cream colored head that manages to stay on top throughout the experience.
Smell is caramel, honey, vanilla and oak.
Taste follows - some say there is a coconut note in there, but I can’t find it.,. everything else arrives in passing hints; oak, but not bourbon, a little white chocolate, sure, cocoa powder, a dark fruit note that’s unexpected. Not over sweet.,.
Feel is very light for the style, yet balanced as it warms, a little bit of fizz remains to keep it interesting.
A cigar would be welcomed with this 14% ABV sipper.,.
Overall - I love a well made barleywine or wheatwine.
This is damn good.

 

Past few weeks included:



Had some rye booze not long ago and concluded I must hate rye, so put off getting to this one. Turns out if I hate rye, it’s definitely not as a rule. So now I get to remember the packs of ryeway I let pass.

Also went through some third coasts, ‘21 through ‘18.

Still a bit of foam.

More recently finally found some North Coast stock ale (21) on vacation that stopped selling at home. Had one by the campfire the last night in Traverse City. Excellent as always, but I think I like where many years takes them.

 

Enjoying a local out of the greater Asheville area, Zebulon Artisan Ales. This is the BA version of an English Barleywine. Barrel presence is very nice lending boozy vanilla notes over a nice dark fruit malt base. Only complaint is that it comes across under carbonated. Rated it a 4.2 overall.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Barleywines are few and far between here as well, I didn't see Bigfoot or 3rd Coast this year.

Back in the day, (yeah, I'm old geezer) I could go to the local store and buy all the Lagunitas Olde Gnarlywine bombers I could carry for $3.99 + tax.

 

Well I finally found some Bigfoot. Was looking for some beer and was up near a spot I dont normally go. At this price I had to buy a case, might go back as there were 3 more. Bigfoot used to be easy and plentiful but since 2019 it’s not easy to find and has been $16-18 a pack when I have seen it. This is still quite hoppy and has a real nice caramel jammy pine taste. Really enjoying this. This was stored cold and this is also the only PA beer distributor I have even been to that has a/c so even the non cold beer is not warm.

Enjoy

 

Barlywines have long been my favorite, but too bad they seem way harder to find than they used to be. Don't get me wrong, they were NEVER as abundant as IPA's or even pale ales, but I feel like they used to be more abundant 10-12 years ago then they are now. I've always love English style like Insanity by Weyerbacher or Sucuba by FW

 

Had this a couple nights back, camped in Petoskey.

Big Lake English barleywine. It was a lot better than the picture. Didn’t quite get cooled enough to start but really hit the spot. Glad I grabbed more, wish I grabbed more.

Last night, 3 Floyd’s ba Behemoth, amazing aroma, definitely rich, somehow just underwhelming. What a world.

 

Finally found some of this. Pretty good — tiny bit thinner than expected but delicious. Wish my allergies weren’t doing to my sense of smell what allergies do.

 

Barleywine in Retrograde
Collaboration between Casitas and Divine Barrel
I usually hate Barleywines cuz they're mostly sweet ( i usually add one along with a horse beer for the wife) even when they're American , but this is all what i like in them.
Bitter chocolate, tarty fruit, toffee and a nice caramel finish.
Sent to me by @arizcards Thanks!