Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2025)

Old Guardian - Stone

Well, it has been a while, and well worth the anticipation. This, the 2024 release, is superior to recollection and prior review. So much so that no link is provided here, as the two are more likely different beers than my palate has drifted so far. This is more nuanced and, while soundly footed in the American camp, it has English vibes. A true review is in order.

 

Revolution V.S.O.J. 2024 BBA English Barleywine, 14.4% ABV. Pours moderately thick and black with a 2+ finger light-brown head that left no lacing. Aroma is toffee, alcohol, bourbon, and dark fruit. Flavor follows, moderately sweet, faintly bitter, some light bourbon burn. Nicely complex, with a number of aromas and tastes I can't quite identify. Pleasant slightly-dry mouthfeel, overall world-class.

4.87/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Numerically tied for my 2nd favorite beer, but essentially a three-way tie for favorite. I might have to do a side-by-side between them, and the next-favorite one. Problem is two are in bombers, and all four are 14+ ABV. Might have to rethink that.

 

I just finished drinking a bottle of Fremont Brew 8000.
My review from 2024 stands as is. The finish maybe stronger than I remember. but it hasn't changed at all.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/20680/698832/

 

That’s what friends are for.

 

Back to finish the can, while rooting for the Jays. This time with an English Blue-cheese (Shropshire Blue), which is like Stilton, except is more creamy, a bit sour, and orange. Nice counter to the beer’s bitterness, it calms the bitterness and elevates the fruit flavors. The cheese becomes more sweet with the beer.

 

What’s the ABV on that baby?

 

I saw the can and name and everything else went blank

 

I liked this one.

A lot.

Rev rocks, especially their barrel program. World class, IMHO.





4.6/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a dark mahogany brown and settles as such in the glass with a voluminous sudsy tan head expanding on the pour like a balloon, then quickly deflating with a sizzle of suds. Beautiful BA barleywine.

The nose is immediately led by a nice tart cherry aroma, followed by decadent toffee and rich caramel notes, with some cinnamon and vanilla and subtle booze aromas for good measure. Wow.

The taste is a magnificent cornucopia of flavors, with tart cherries flowing into decant toffee and caramel notes that are augmented by a subtle cinnamon flavor that pairs with vanilla and warming booze from the barrel. Gimme more.

The mouthfeel is full, rich, and creamy, as expected. I like this a smidge more than the base beer, which is saying something. World class stuff, IMHO.

 

The Embalmer. A 9.2% barleywine by North Country Brewing Company. Cheers.

 

Revolution of Ruby, collaboration of Firestone & Revolution. Purchased a couple of singles, money would have better spent on SN's Bigfoot, if I can ever find it.

 

Wild Mind Ales Terror Bird. A peach brandy barrel-aged American-style barleywine. Courtesy of @cheeseheadinMinneapolis. This is a very unique beer. It is very delicious. We love brandy in Wisconsin. I really like this combination.

 

The brewery (Wild Minds) is outta business.
I was wondering who ended up with that bottle. i wasn't sure if it was any good anymore. It is 2 years old. sat on my basement floor for 1 and 1/2 years

 

I invited a group of random Philadelphia Eagles fans to my house and open whatever they wanted. This was a fine selection.