One Barleywine to Rule Them All

I think mine might be Bell's Third Coast. Doesn't lay on too much hops like a bunch of the Barleywine's I've tried tend to do, I get a lot of caramel out of the flavors, and it's not boozy either. Way too many of the BW's I try decide they need to be ABV bombs and it just ruins so many beers that would otherwise be fantastic.

 

ive only had a couple of different types but i had a 2012 big foot ale and loved it (this was last week)

 

I am very much a fan of the last iteration of Founder's Nemesis.

 

JW Lees. It's even British, so it fits a lot better with your metaphor.

 

my favorite non-retired barleywine that's not too hard to get a hold of when it's released is FW's Sucaba.

 

For an always available to me choice- I like Avery's Hog Heaven.

 

Bell's Third Coast is excellent. Also really enjoy Flying Dog Horn Dog, Weyerbacher Insanity (BA), Anchor Old Foghorn, Central Waters BBBW, Schafly Reserve Barlewine, SN Bigfoot...just to name a few. I really prefer to find a barleywine in 12 oz format and something that is more readily available. But there are plenty of other great ones out there. Obviously, King Henry if you're willing to sell a kidney. I'm certain it's worth it and would love to try it.

EDIT: How the hell did I forget Schell's Stag Series. I've never drank so much barleywine over a short period of time in my life.

 

Midnight Sun Arctic Devil
Pelican Mother of All Storms
Fremont Old Bridge Rider
HotD Doggie Claws
Firestone Walker §ucaba

 

Weyerbacher Insanity (which is bourbon barrel aged) is my favorite barleywine, hands down. The non BBA version (Blithering Idiot) is great as well.
Troegs Flying Mouflan is top notch.
As is Duclaws Devils Milk.
Duck Rabbit barleywine is worth checking out as well.
Oh and definitely Hog Heaven. Great fresh, nice hop presence, but it falls off quick as it is dry-hopped.

 

Arctic Devil
Abacus
King Henry

 

I think it's about time we start defining a clear line between Barrel Aged Barleywines/Stouts/etc and non-BA versions. To reply to this topic I could list 5-10 from each side and they all have their own merits, but IMO great BA barleywines are great in a way that is different rom non-BA barleywines.

So...

Non-BA:
Old Stock
Bigfoot (after 5-10 years)
Anchor Old Foghorn
JW Lees
Monster Ale

BA:
Kuhnhenn BA BW - To date the best barleywine I've ever had
Mother of all Storms
Arctic Devil
Mirror Mirror
BA Hi-Fi
Central Waters BA BW

Without the distinction, I'd pick the Kuhnhenn, hands down

 

Ummmm...King Henry.....then everyone else. Bligh's, Lunker, Kuhnhenn BBBW (on par with KH), Nemesis '10, and aged Bigfoot

 

If it is made by Central Waters and is aged in barells I am in love and drinking it!

 

The last Peruvian Morning I had tasted like rancid Leper-worn loin cloths.

Other than that though, their BBBW is delicious

 

Abacus, Bigfoot, Mirror Mirror, and Great Basin's barrel aged BW (no longer brewed)

 

Hoppin Frog Naked Evil!!!

 

Whitbread Gold Label.

 

3 best i have had (in no particular order) are King Henry, Sucaba, and JW Lees.

 

Hard for me because of the style, but Sucuba, and Bigfoot, BA BIgfoot. I wish we could get Central Waters brews here, from what I've had I really liked them.