Anyone try the Upright Barleywine bottles?

I'm curious how this one is, has Upright ever done a BW before? Was there any on tap?

 

I went to Upright Saturday and picked up the Bull Run barrel version of the Barleywine. They have 4 different versions (4 different barrels.) Unfortunately they had none of them on tap. I chatted with one of the guys and he said it was their first time brewing a Barleywine. I'm fairly certain I will be sitting on mine for a good year or two before opening.

 

Why?

 

I want to jump in with the exact same question. If you haven't tried it, why would you sit on it for a year or two? I've had some BA barleywines that have tasted amazing fresh that have really fallen off with age (ie Abacus). Granted I've experienced others that have gotten way better too, but I would absolutely try the beer fresh first and see how it's tasting now.

 

Why? Why not? I can't imagine it'll go bad anytime soon. I couldn't afford to buy more than one bottle. I'm in no hurry. And in my humble experiences, a little time does well for most of the barleywines I drink. It would have been nice to try it on tap but I didn't get that opportunity. I recently drank a S.N. 30th Anniversary Black Barleywine from a couple years ago and I found it to be incredibly delicious! One of the best barleywines I've ever had so maybe that has influenced me to sit on them for a while. I purchased a S.N. BA Bigfoot too and plan on sitting on that one for awhile also. I suppose if I read some reviews that said it's better to drink it now than later, I might consider it. Have you had it? Are you suggesting that I be in a hurry to open it up and drink it right away?

 

I want you to drink it now and tell me how it is so I know whether or not it's worth trading for!

 

Ok, you got me, maybe I jumped the gun by saying I'm fairly certain I will sit on it for a year or two. How about I retract that statement and just say that I will open it when i see fit Maybe I open it tonight, maybe I open it in 2 years. I understand that some taste amazing fresh and that some do improve with age. I know nothing about this beer. I only have the one bottle and will not be getting any more. I'd like to see what some people say about it first. I'm in no hurry. Thanks for putting me in my place. Lesson learned.

 

I'm hoping some of you drink it now so you can tell me how good it is! I only have one bottle and trading it was never an option for me.
Cheers!

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3884228404.125170.178550508404&type=1&theater

Just found this.

 

Just issued ISO lol. I saw the twitter feed on this. Sounds like something I need to get my paws on.

 

Based on Upright's description, this is definitely something I'll let sit for 6 months or so. I'm a much bigger fan of barleywines with less of a hop presence. I'm sure it will be good fresh or aged a bit.

 

And if you don't try it fresh before aging it, you will never know if aging improved it or made it worse. But "I will open it when i see fit" is always a damn fine answer.

 

What was the price on these?

 

They were $15 each

 

Of course you are correct. However, with my barleywine experiences and only being able to buy one bottle, I'm going to take my chances and hold off on opening it for a while. Maybe one of you fine BA's could share your reviews when you buy a bottle. I'm not a ticker and I'm not a trader. I really enjoy a good barleywine and I really like what Upright is doing for Oregon beer. Saturday was my first time going to Upright and I was glad to finally experience their brewery. I was a bit bummed they didn't have any of the 4 barleywines on tap, which kind of leads me to believe that maybe they didn't feel the beer was ready to be poured. Who knows what their reasoning is? They were pouring Fantasia when they released it in bottles, correct? Tough crowd here sometimes. Maybe it's better for me to just shut up and learn from all the experts on this site.

 

I wasn't trying to be part of the "tough crowd," and I apologize if that's how I came across. I was actually hoping to encourage you to develop your own palate instead of relying too heavily on "all the experts on this site." There are so many opinions here about aging that they can pretty much cancel each other out. So much of it is purely subjective.

Or to put it another way: My expert advice is that you should ignore the experts. Hope you enjoy your beers.

 

Not really. No one is taking you to task for only buying 1 bottle, thus breaking up the set of 4 for someone else. Someone think of the hole in the horizontal!

 

Well there were lots of holes before I got to them! Wish I had $60 for all 4!

vurt: all good, didn't mean to direct the "tough crowd" thing to you, but to BA in general. I love this site, I just need to think before I type! As there are critics poised to pounce on every little thing.

Cheers to you all!