Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

Love that one.

 

2021 Mother of all Storms. Fantastic as always! Cheers my barleywine brothers!

 

Im dropping another barleywine up in here and cross posted in the Big Stout and Barleywine BIF#1 This is Drowned Lands out of Warwick New York. Beer is 10% and foeder aged. Thank you to @Beersnake1 for sending this one my way. Much appreciated!

Onto my review:

Sampling a 16 oz can at cellar temp and poured into a snifter. Beer was received in BSBIF #1. The can opens with a very pronounced and lengthy hiss. Pours a copperish orange color with a very large fluffy eggshell white head of 5 cm. Almost overtops my glass even with a very gentle pour. Foam fades slowly to a rocky surface covering and leaves scattered lattice as it sinks down the glass. gotta dock the appearance a little for the over foaming.
Many very active streams of carbonation rise from the bottom of the glass.
Aroma is a bit of caramel and toffee but a healthy citrusy dose takes over sort of like a hard orange candy or manadarine note, but not overly sweet. A little bit of an herbal tea note shows up as well, but no hints of the ABV on the nose.
First sip reveals a medium body with very soft carbonation and silky smooth texture. I expected more pricklyness with the carbonation, but it is very soft.
Flavor is similar to the nose with caramel and some toffee but again citrusy mandarine kicks in and carries the day. Not over the top and no bitter pith notes just sweeter pulp and some herbal tea flavor. The ABV is also well hidden with no bite or warmth.
This is an enjoyable barleywine and I cant say I ve experienced the sweet citrus note on too many beers. Glad to have tried this one.
4.2 in the BA DB

 

Surprised that we have gone over 48 hours without a post! The world ain't right. Problem solved. Lost Forgotten (Weller) from Incendiary Brewing in NC. English barleywine aged for 24 months in Weller bourbon barrels. Comes in at 12% ABV.

Poured at fridge temp, but allowed to warm for a while before taking the first sip. Strangely, the bottle was almost filled to the very top. I can't say I've ever seen this, and I know high-fill bottles are often removed from the bottling lines.

Pours very dark brown with little head. Carbonation seems relatively low.

The nose is very smooth. Bourbon is very evident from the first sniff. 24 months shines through here. Caramel, raisins, dark bread, sweet candy, and vanilla.

The taste is really nice. Definitely sweet. Almost a grainy sugar note. A bit smoky with a hint of Leather. Toffee, slightly hoppy, bitter oak. Definitely some dark fruit poking through - raisins, prunes. I think the 24 months in barrels added some rough boozy edges to this. Not as balanced as it could be, but it's still great.

 

Oh no! Sorry to hear that! I hope you get your senses back soon!