Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by DIM, Jan 4, 2022.

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Which type of Barleywine do you prefer?

  1. American

    97 vote(s)
    17.0%

  2. English

    295 vote(s)
    51.8%

  3. That's like asking me to choose my favorite child, I love them all!

    162 vote(s)
    28.5%

  4. Neither, if Barleywine is life then life has no meaning.

    15 vote(s)
    2.6%
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  1. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad you liked it! The brewer at Ritual is a legend out here, and their beer is definitely on the classic side. I really like this one.
     
    #1181 Beersnake, Sep 19, 2022
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  2. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've tried scores of new barleywines in the last year or so, I think this is only the second unbarreled hoppy American in the bunch. I can forget how much I love them. This was a great one from a brewery I'm not familiar with. This right here is what I missed about trading!
     
    #1182 DIM, Sep 19, 2022
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  3. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    [​IMG]

    2022 Bigfoot
    Perception of bitterness in the finish is off the charts tonight. Unless the charts encompass a respectable range, in proper cryptid fashion.
     
    #1183 Uberdachen, Sep 19, 2022
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  4. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I am glad that you enjoyed this, because it was not for me. I happened to try it at the source, and I just…I can’t. I can’t get behind any of the rye BA stuff from JOs. It’s not that I think they are making bad beers, it’s just that I can’t enjoy it. It’s difficult for me to drink. There’s just something about the rye BA that is such a huge turn off for me. (This is despite really loving good rye whiskey.) It was such a turnoff for me, I didn’t want to send one to someone without having some idea of what others thought about it (because I just happened to be driving through on release day).
     
    #1184 Beer_Economicus, Sep 19, 2022
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  5. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Mystery barleywines arrived today from @DIM ! Supper excited!

    [​IMG]
     
    #1185 Beersnake, Sep 20, 2022
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  6. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    First up is the yellow one! Poured at just under fridge temp. Pours a dark red/light brown with almost no head. Nose is incredible. There is a light layer of hops, but there is definitely a nice toffee with barrel. Red wine, toffee, a touch of citrus peel, raisin, sherry. The taste is fantastic. I'm thinking this is a wine barrel-aged barleywine, but there are nice layers of toffee and vanilla. It honestly reminds me of J.W. Lees. A touch of leather, apricots, honey, maple, and green grapes. ABV doesn't seem too high. Closer to 10%

    [​IMG]

    The reveal:

    pFriem bourbon barrel-aged barleywine. Wow, I was off with the barrel! This is definitely unlike a lot of bourbon barrel-aged barleywines that I have had. Very fruit forward. Awesome beer and super fun! Thanks, @DIM!!!

    [​IMG]
     
    #1186 Beersnake, Sep 20, 2022
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  7. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    [​IMG]

    Indeed - Old Breed bourbon barrel aged barleywine ale. Canned about 19mos ago.

    The smell of this thing. Going to tickle myself while gulping so I laugh-burn it into my nostrils and live the dream just a little longer. Old man Werther himself isn’t rolling in his grave exactly but making a fumping noise from around the middle of it.
     
    #1187 Uberdachen, Sep 20, 2022
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  8. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad you liked it and excellent write up! I'm with you on the J.W. Lee's comparison. I don't think I've had a more English tasting American-made barleywine.
     
    #1188 DIM, Sep 20, 2022
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  9. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It was really great. I just finished the bottle, and the bourbon influence became more dominant with time. Thanks again!
     
    #1189 Beersnake, Sep 20, 2022
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  10. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks to @DIM for sending this one! Boubon barrel-aged barleywine from Sebago Brewing in Maine.

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a dark and murky brown with a relatively thin layer of tan head. Very nice looking! The nose is wonderful. Loads of toffee, vanilla, figs, and a light layer of citrus peel. The taste is fantastic. Soft toffee, brown sugar, maple, figs, raisins, pine, and almonds. Maybe a hint of leather, a nice earthy note, and some sharp oak. Boozy for sure. This is a beast! Mouthfeel is medium bodied, the aftertaste is a mix of bitter and sweet, and the alcohol is very detectable. Overall, a wonderful BA barleywine.

    4.25/5 rDev +0.5%
    look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

    [​IMG]
     
    #1190 Beersnake, Sep 21, 2022
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  11. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Brought some of those back from our trip to Maine this summer, glad you liked it! I'll be back tomorrow with another mystery, any suggestions on what to open next?:thinking_face:
     
    #1191 DIM, Sep 21, 2022
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  12. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ll open a mystery beer tomorrow as well! If you are up for adventure, open the bottle with the electrical tape around the cap :wink:
     
    #1192 Beersnake, Sep 21, 2022
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  13. VodkaPong87

    VodkaPong87 Pooh-Bah (2,060) Oct 9, 2020 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That looks fantastic
     
    #1193 VodkaPong87, Sep 21, 2022
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  14. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    See, I'm not a big mead guy. I know I haven't tried the best of the best, but what I have had has been too sweet. That being said, I can really see a mead BA BW going either way; the sweetness of both could either compliment or clash. Good to know that this one isn't great
     
    #1194 Rug, Sep 21, 2022
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  15. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm not a mead guy either, I agree it's just too dang sweet. I've had another mead barrel aged beer that was better than this. If I see another I'll be too curious not to try it.
     
    #1195 DIM, Sep 21, 2022
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  16. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    @Beersnake1 suggested I open this if I'm feeling adventurous. This is also the only bottle he sealed with electrical tape, I haven't even popped the cap and I smell something funky!

    [​IMG]

    The aroma is fairly mild, I get berries mostly, both musty and vibrantly sweet. Maybe a little something sugary as well. The taste is much more alive. The jammy berry notes are here, trailing off into light funk that lingers long. I get a little sherry as well. There are barleywine notes that play really well with the wine barrel(?) notes. Classic caramel, toffee, raisins, and figs. This is absolutely unique and comes together really well.

    The reveal-
    [​IMG]

    Wow, no barrels used? I whiffed on that call! So glad I got to try this, thanks! This one in particular was interesting to try blind. Man this is a lot of fun!
     
    #1196 DIM, Sep 22, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2022
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  17. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Glad you enjoyed the journey with that one! It’s definitely interesting!
     
    #1197 Beersnake, Sep 22, 2022
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  18. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    This one is incredible. Intentionally oxidizing a beer is crazy, but it really works here
     
    #1198 Rug, Sep 22, 2022
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  19. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Journey indeed! This bottle logged some serious miles, New York to Cali to Pennsylvania. I'd heard of this and was intrigued.
     
    #1199 DIM, Sep 22, 2022
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  20. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I thought they only did that in Italy. I agree it works well here.
     
    #1200 DIM, Sep 22, 2022
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