Barleywine Tasting - Need your input

Technically that's a BA-Barleywine tasting. But, in any event: Weyerbacher Insanity, especially with a few years on it.

 

king henry and K13 make very good side by side, both were aged in pappy (well in kh case in gi rare pappy barrels)

id leave gratitiude out, its not barrel aged

sounds like a great time!

 

Billionaire? Bligh's?

 

I've got some '11 Abacus if you're interested in a trade...

 

Bigfoot!

As a side note, many places sell Bigfoot verticals. I recently picked up a 2012, 13, and 14 from a local retailer.

 

In addition to Insanity, add Clown Shoes Billionaire and any of the four J.W. Lees cask variants, if you're serious about a BA barleywine tasting. Billionaire may be difficult to source, but Lees shouldn't be too hard to find.

 

I'm sure it'll be fine- mine is still in the closet, and I haven't even tried it yet, but it's usually very good right when it's released. With a few years on it, it becomes excellent, that's all.

 

I would leave out CW BBB as the hops will overwhelm your taste buds to be honest. Just stick to barrel-aged English barleywines/old ales. As has already been mentioned, Weyebacher Insanity is an obvious choice, particularly when factoring in cost and availability. I would consider adding North Coast Old Stock Cellar Reserve 2011 (brandy barrel-aged) if you don't think the $20+ per pint price tag is too much. JW Lees Harvest Ale sherry or calvados variants are decent choices. The last bottling of Firestone Walker Double DBA will be out soon, that's another option (I prefer it to Sucaba personally).

 

I'm sure it'll work out just fine. It does get better with age, but usually starts out very good anyway.

 

I'll second insanity, that stuff is very good.

Depending on how massive you want your tasting to be you could add sucaba and double dba. Also I'd keep the cw bbbw, I'm not sure how hoppy someone else thinks it is but I wouldn't agree. Plus it's fantastic. Good luck with the tasting, cheers.

 

Yeah, BA barley wine needs to get Billionaire in there. IMO a decent opener or mid flight taste for the group. I hope you enjoy.

Maybe throw in a SN Bigfoot if doing a broader class.

 

You might be able to get your hands on Mirror Mirror

 

I do! I think the sweetness would go nicely with the other offerings

 

Well I've never had it but mother of all storms hasn't been mentioned but gets lots of love among ba's who have. You'll have to trade for it though. My friend swears ba behemoth is the best ba barleywine he's tried, but it'll be hard to get and it cost $40 at fff....it may be worth a shot but he's a little biased because he's a homer for Floyds.