Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by DIM, Jan 1, 2023.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 5 of 119
  1. Pereza987

    Pereza987 Pundit (782) Nov 2, 2014 Florida
    Trader

    [​IMG]
    Slight derail perhaps, with a wee heavy. Spirit forward with an impression of sweetness that is quickly knocked down by drying oak on the taste. Definitely peaty, oaky, and surprisingly attenuated malt character. Striking color and clarity. I’ve had this before, but had forgotten how solid of a brew it is.
     
    #81 Pereza987, Jan 12, 2023
    Bitburger, Donco, DIM and 13 others like this.
  2. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    Wild mind ales- the great decay

    An awful work day setting up an awfuller work day called for a fitting barleywine. Had this at the brewery at its release and it was fantastic. The first bottle I cracked after, barely into-pandemic, was a flat disappointment. My brother opened one at the same time elsewhere and was also flat. So my expectation was…

    [​IMG]

    Yep. Completely flat. But tonight, a few years later, still entirely drinkable. Deep and dense bourbon and caramel aromas and flavors.

    Work was going to be dumb tomorrow anyways.
     
    #82 Uberdachen, Jan 12, 2023
    Bitburger, tobelerone, CBlack85 and 17 others like this.
  3. DIM

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

    I am thoroughly enjoying my evening. Sci-fi paired with an old friend and a new one.

    [​IMG]

    Started off with a short pour of 2015 Utopias. I've been curious about this for a looong time and it's worth the wait. So damn much going on here, some of the components are approaching 30 years old at this point.

    Then on to my first Bigfoot of 2023. I've come to appreciate this fresh in recent years more than I used to. I just don't perceive the bitterness as being so big, brash, and abrasive anymore. This is not a shy beer by any means, but it does seem pretty balanced for a fresh Bigfoot. Sugar cookies and caramel to go along with a potent hop punch that has a decent amount of fresh, juicy citrus to go along with the pithy rind. I am enjoying the hell out of this right now.
     
    #83 DIM, Jan 13, 2023
    Bitburger, puck1225, tobelerone and 24 others like this.
  4. Beersnake

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

    Reserva from Brasserie Atrium in Belgium. Aged in Old Forester bourbon barrels for 7 months, and comes in at 10.5% ABV. The bourbon is very noticeable, so I'm glad it was only 7 months for this one.

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a medium brown color with a LOT of slightly off-white head. The beer itself is muddy looking. The head is absolutely relentless. Won't go down, even after about 10 minutes.

    The nose is toffee, red wine, dark fruits, bread, and some bourbon.

    The taste is fantastic. Rich toffee, big malts, Belgian yeast, toast, a nice bourbon note, a slight note of Armagnac, plums, and a hint of honey. Very nice barleywine! Mouthfeel is medium bodied and the aftertaste is primarily toffee.

    [​IMG]
     
    #84 Beersnake, Jan 13, 2023
    puck1225, ramseye4, CBlack85 and 18 others like this.
  5. Beersnake

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

    Cheers! That is one heck of a night! I have yet to splurge for a Utopias (now $250 around here), but will probably one day! Crazy that you already have a 2023 Bigfoot. It still hasn't dropped HERE, in southern CALIFORNIA, where the dang beer is from!
     
    #85 Beersnake, Jan 13, 2023
    FBarber, GreenBayBA, CarolinaCardinals and 5 others like this.
  6. Beersnake

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

    Alright, I just counted and it looks like I reviewed 80 new barleywines in 2022. Big thanks to @DIM for helping a LOT with that. The goal for 2023 is now clear :grin:
     
    #86 Beersnake, Jan 13, 2023
    Bitburger, AlexIrigoyen, LSMroz and 7 others like this.
  7. DIM

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

    I've helped you out with Bigfoot before, let me know if you need me to send you some.:grin:
    Wow, 80 is a big number! Good luck in 2023, I'll bet you beat me this year. I'm guessing you've got a pretty good size barleywine backlog?
     
    #87 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    Bitburger, FBarber, GreenBayBA and 5 others like this.
  8. Beersnake

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

    Thanks, man! We definitely should see the regular Bigfoot, but it always seems to take longer than the rest of the country. Why? I have no idea.

    Yes, the backlog is real, including some from you! I am sure I have 20 that I need to review! It's a tough life, that's for sure :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #88 Beersnake, Jan 14, 2023
    Bitburger, FBarber, GreenBayBA and 4 others like this.
  9. DIM

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

    [​IMG]

    I plan to drink a lot of Bigfoot this year, having a 2016 tonight. Lots of caramel, some short bread, hints of cherry, and just a little grapefruit zest. Drinking really well right now.
     
    #89 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    Bitburger, puck1225, CBlack85 and 16 others like this.
  10. Davl22

    Davl22 Maven (1,341) Sep 27, 2011 New Hampshire
    Trader

    [​IMG]
    2021 Sebago BA Barleywine: One of my favorite local barleywines. The complexity and balance has grown over the years. Dried orange peel, nougat, toffee, and cocoa powder. Creamy carb. Boozy warmth on the finish.
     
    #90 Davl22, Jan 14, 2023
    tobelerone, AlexIrigoyen, CBlack85 and 17 others like this.
  11. DIM

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

    I bought a bunch of those this summer in Maine, it's a damn good barleywine. Only have 1 left.
     
    #91 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    FBarber, GreenBayBA, CarolinaCardinals and 4 others like this.
  12. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Triskaidekaphobia - Brewery of Broken Dreams

    Been sitting on this for almost three years, because I wanted to open it on a specific date. Which is more difficult than it should have been.

    [​IMG]

    Leaves a film on the glass, with no legs. A vigorous swirl produces a short lived head, otherwise the carbonation appears to have been frightened into submission.

    Rich sweet malt with strong fig and dates. Sherry quickly gives way to floral notes that never fully develop. These mostly dissipate to earthy spice. Warmth brings out some mildly sweet caramelized sugar.

    The flavor is shockingly mild, especially for the style. Bitterness is mild, sweetness is less evident. Fig and and charred sugar. Sweetness amplifies with warmth, as does the fig flavor. Otherwise this one is under performing. Finish is looooooooooooong and mild.

    Alcohol is below expectations. A light body with gossamer smooth silky texture. Carbonation is here, light, yet much more present than the appearance would have one believe.

    This Barlewine straddles the American and English guidelines. I love the concept, even if after nearly 3 years wait it falls short of the greatness potential. All said, there is potential here. Let’s see if future releases have learned from the past.
     
    #92 SLeffler27, Jan 14, 2023
    CBlack85, Nugganooch, landrewg and 13 others like this.
  13. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So...what was the sci-fi part of the evening? book or film?
     
    #93 sulldaddy, Jan 14, 2023
    Beer_Economicus, FBarber, GreenBayBA and 5 others like this.
  14. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Back to the barleywine thread with a new beer for the DB. This is Tribus Brewing in Milford, CT and their collaboration with Lasting Brass Brewing. Brass Roots is a 9% barleywine that features molasses and bourbon soaked oak chips. Always like promoting Connecticut folks with the beers I post, so here we are.

    onto my review:

    [​IMG]

    I picked up this 500 ml bottle at the brewery today and the label says bottled in Dec 2022. SO this is a pretty fresh barleywine.
    I am pouring into my snifter at slightly below cellar temperature. The bottle was refrigerated at the brewery upon purchase.
    The beer pours into my glass a clear mahogany color, when I hold it to the light, it gets to be much more deep garnet red. A creamy beige head of 1.5 cm foams up and fades to a sturdy edge layer and one large island on the surface. Fairly tight lattice when I swirl the glass or take a sip.
    Aroma is some brown sugar and toffee with hints of dry wooden notes and a bit of an earthy hop profile. No hint of the ABV on the aroma. Not as sweet of a nose as I anticipated based on the bourbon soaked chips and molasses used in the beer.
    First sip reveals a medium body and slightly sticky texture with very fine and tingly carbonation. A little bit of a coating on my palate after each sip.
    Flavor starts with some brown sugar and a bit of toffee, maybe even a hint of butterscotch. Again I get some dry wood, almost like a popsicle stick or toothpick. I do pick up a little bourbon here and again some earthy hops with maybe just a hint of boozy bite on the swallow. The flavors all work, I was hoping for a little more boldness on the flavor profile. What is there is good, just not as robust as I had hoped.
    Still glad to have tried this one to support a local brewery making a barleywine. Would probably get it again, may get one and let it sit for a bit to see if any one flavor takes over more.

    3.97 in the BA DB
     
    #94 sulldaddy, Jan 14, 2023
    CBlack85, Beer_Economicus, Nugganooch and 15 others like this.
  15. Rug

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

    Bigfoot isn't my favorite, but I still make it a point to grab a fresh bottle every year when it's released. I did that for this year already, earlier this week. Now, I didn't take a picture because I was having it with dinner and was lazy, but it's crazy how murky my bottle was compared to yours. It didn't really taste any different but I figured this years batch just looked like that lol
     
    #95 Rug, Jan 14, 2023
    Luscious_Malfoy, GreenBayBA, SLeffler27 and 3 others like this.
  16. DIM

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

    [​IMG]

    Last in an amazing trilogy. Any recommendations on where to go next?
     
    #96 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    AlexIrigoyen, FBarber, Beersnake and 4 others like this.
  17. DIM

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

    I've had a couple of older ones go murky, never a fresh one though. If you don't love fresh Bigfoot, have you ever had one with some years behind it?
     
    #97 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    Luscious_Malfoy, Rug, GreenBayBA and 2 others like this.
  18. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,231) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Happy New Year Dan!
    Do you have a true basement cellar and if so does the temperature stay pretty consistent? Since relocating to NC i no longer have a wine fridge and our house does not have a basement so i am pretty much out of the aging game.
    Cheers!
    Tom
     
    #98 CarolinaCardinals, Jan 14, 2023
    BMBCLT, Beersnake, Luscious_Malfoy and 2 others like this.
  19. DIM

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

    Happy 2023 to you Tom! Is it wrong that I chuckled at someone living in a retirement community saying that they are out of the aging game?:wink:

    Our basement does stay a consistent 55-60 degrees. All of my Bigfeet seem to like it down there, they age beautifully.
     
    #99 DIM, Jan 14, 2023
    AlexIrigoyen, Beersnake, Luscious_Malfoy and 4 others like this.
  20. SLeffler27

    SLeffler27 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,906) Feb 24, 2008 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]:smiley:
     
    #100 SLeffler27, Jan 14, 2023
    Beer_Economicus, Beersnake, Luscious_Malfoy and 4 others like this.
Page 5 of 119
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.