Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2026)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Beersnake, Jan 1, 2026.

  1. DIM

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

    It's from 2025, I got it as part of 5 bottle bundle shipped from halftime recently. I really like OG Berhta too.

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  2. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Drier January continues with this Revolution Straight Jacket 2025 BBA English Barleywine, 15% ABV. I rated this 4.48 way back in November. I may have underrated this.

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  3. Beersnake

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

    Relative Dimensions from Temporal in Vancouver. A blend of whiskey barrel aged Munichwine and Tawny port barrel aged Belgian-style quad. 12.95% ABV.

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a very dark brown with zero head. The nose is bourbon, toffee, port, brown sugar, and molasses.

    The taste is really smooth. Toffee, oak, bourbon, vanilla, molasses, prune, raisin, port, rich, and intense. Sweet but definitely not too sweet. It's fun trying a combo quad and Munichwine, especially when they are from different barrels. As it warms a bit of smoke comes through. Great execution here.

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  4. DIM

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

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    Yep, this is damn good.
     
  5. Beersnake

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

    I love this release! Cheers!
     
  6. Beersnake

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

  7. DIM

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

    Enjoying a black barleywine with coconut and vanilla, a collab between Marlowe and Horus.

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    This is certainly sweet but it comes together extremely well. The coconut comes on strong, toasty and delicious with the vanilla thankfully in the background.

    The base beer offers caramel along with hints of raisin and cocoa. I get a strong molasses note at the finish. Really wish I had more.
     
  8. Beersnake

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

    Thanks to @DIM for this amazing bottle. It's almost half gone :slight_frown:. I shall enjoy every sip! Dystopias from Free Will. 20.1% ABV. Lovely stuff.

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  9. DIM

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

    They didn't release it last year, hope to they do this year. I'll be very sad when I run out. Such a great nightcap!
     
  10. Beersnake

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

    Figured I would compare Don to Dystopias. 2022 bottle from Hair of the Dog. 17.8% ABV. Aged for four years in rye, bourbon, port, and rum barrels. Amazing stuff.

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  11. DIM

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

    How do they compare in your opinion? Did either of us ever post a side by side?
     
  12. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That's probably because there isn't an American Strong Ale thread.

    Enjoying this Bigfoot '25.
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  13. Beersnake

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

    I just don't think strong ales are much different than barleywines. Barleywines are technically a type of strong ale, and many strong ales these days are blend of barleywines and stouts so they ultimately end up in one of those two threads. Beautiful shot of your bigfoot!
     
  14. Beersnake

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

    They seem very different to me. I think the barrel aging of the Don makes it a bit more fruity. I can tell that the ABV is lower as well. Both amazing.
     
  15. Beersnake

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

    Insanity from Weyerbacher. Ale aged on oak. 13.3% ABV. Wonderful beer.

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  16. VodkaPong87

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

    Is this a new vintage? I've only seen Blithering Idiot once and I bought all of it at the store. Never came across this, but would do the same if I did
     
  17. Blogjackets

    Blogjackets Grand Pooh-Bah (4,816) Nov 22, 2017 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hmm, I regularly see it here. Distribution is such a weird thing.

     
  18. Beersnake

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

    No - it's a couple of years old at this point.
     
  19. Beersnake

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

    I'm hoping to see it in Ohio the next time I visit!
     
  20. Beersnake

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

    My first 2026 Bigfoot. I absolutely love this year's release, and I will be picking up another 6-pack soon. Beautiful balance of hops and toffee sweetness.

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