IPAs vs. Barleywines? Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Vogt52, Aug 23, 2014.

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  1. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland

    I've never had a barleywine (I know, I know) and would like to give a few a try. How to barleywines compare to IPA's? I'm a big fan of IPA's, so I think I'll like barleywines. Any suggestions?
     
    #1 Vogt52, Aug 23, 2014
  2. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    American or English? Checkout Beer Styles for starters, plus the listed examples.
     
    #2 Todd, Aug 23, 2014
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  3. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland

    I've read up on both styles and would like to try both. It seems as though there's a general consensus that Bigfoot is an easy to obtain, great-drinking barleywine. Taste wise though, are they similar to DIPA's or are they a unique style?
     
    #3 Vogt52, Aug 23, 2014
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  4. randeezy74

    randeezy74 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2013 Colorado

    I don't have much experience with barleywines, I've had Bigfoot and BCBBW. I'm an IPA guy and the American, Bigfoot, is more in line with my tastes, but BCBBW (English) is really good too. They're kind of related to DIPAs I guess, but a lot more malty, spicy, complex, and heavy.
     
    #4 randeezy74, Aug 23, 2014
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  5. denverbeerguy

    denverbeerguy Initiate (0) May 10, 2013 Colorado

    There are English barleywines which are dark malt bombs and then there are American barleywines that are typically far hoppier. You will like Big Foot if you're a fan of DIPA's. It's very hoppy.
     
    #5 denverbeerguy, Aug 23, 2014
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  6. Ilovelampandbeer

    Ilovelampandbeer Pooh-Bah (1,719) Aug 25, 2013 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I like to think of american barleywines as DIPA that have like 6 months on them...not really a huge fan even though i like bigfoot...english barleywines, on the other hand, are IMO the malt showcase just the same as an IPA is the hop showcase...def seek out i love them
     
    #6 Ilovelampandbeer, Aug 23, 2014
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  7. offthelevel_bytheplumb

    offthelevel_bytheplumb Maven (1,277) Aug 19, 2013 Illinois

    I'd recommend that you give the American barleywines a shot first. Try Bigfoot and Bell's Third Coast Ole Ale. Those are two excellent places to start.
     
    #7 offthelevel_bytheplumb, Aug 23, 2014
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  8. RonfromJersey

    RonfromJersey Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2002 New Jersey
    In Memoriam

    Bigfoot comes out in January, so it might be though to find. If you do though, it will be fine.

    After reading this thread, I might have one of mine this evening.
     
    #8 RonfromJersey, Aug 23, 2014
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  9. hillind

    hillind Savant (1,007) Apr 24, 2010 Pennsylvania

    In addition to Bigfoot, Stone's Old Guardian and Victory Old Horizontal are solid choices. I also used to really like Troegs Flying Mouflan although I don't recall seeing it this year
     
    #9 hillind, Aug 24, 2014
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  10. Averwo

    Averwo Initiate (0) Jul 4, 2013 Iowa

    Get some Devil Dancer and your set for both.
     
    #10 Averwo, Aug 24, 2014
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  11. Brolo75

    Brolo75 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,134) Aug 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Try Bigfoot, easily accessible for a decent price. Stone Old Guardian, Great Divide Old Ruffian are two of my other favorites. Overall, best barley wine in my humble opinion is Firestone Walker Sucaba, difficult to find. Firestone Walker Double DBA is also great but may be hard to find.
     
    #11 Brolo75, Aug 24, 2014
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  12. Dicers

    Dicers Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Sep 2, 2012 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll echo the sentiment of most of these people and say go with Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and Stone Old Guardian
     
    #12 Dicers, Aug 24, 2014
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  13. Shroud0fdoom

    Shroud0fdoom Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Maryland

    Flying Mouflan is damn good! I have some 2012's if interested.
     
    #13 Shroud0fdoom, Aug 24, 2014
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  14. Vogt52

    Vogt52 Initiate (0) May 25, 2014 Maryland

    I actually just got my hands on a bottle of double DBA the other day. I'm saving that for a special occasion though
     
    #14 Vogt52, Aug 24, 2014
  15. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Mother of All Storms
    Arctic Devil
    §ucaba

    If you don't like any of these, you might just not like barleywines.
     
    #15 Orca, Aug 24, 2014
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  16. Valleyview06

    Valleyview06 Pundit (850) Oct 13, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Trade for BB4D and call it a day.
     
    #16 Valleyview06, Aug 24, 2014
  17. ubenumber2

    ubenumber2 Maven (1,457) Sep 1, 2012 Arkansas

    Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine is the best out there
     
    #17 ubenumber2, Aug 24, 2014
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  18. musicman7070

    musicman7070 Initiate (0) Aug 26, 2012 New Jersey

    Yes, yes. And...yes.
     
    #18 musicman7070, Aug 24, 2014
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  19. JuicesFlowing

    JuicesFlowing Initiate (0) Jul 5, 2009 Kansas

    Killer Penguin by Boulder Beer. I'm not a fan of barley wine but I liked that. And Bigfoot was great too.
     
    #19 JuicesFlowing, Aug 24, 2014
  20. bebbcorp

    bebbcorp Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2010 Kansas

    Great Divide Old Ruffian, Avery Hog Heaven, and Three Floyd's Behemoth are my favorite American Barleywines. J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale is my suggestion for a English Barleywine. I really enjoy a good barleywine once the cold weather sets in. Good luck with your endeavor into this style of beer.
     
    #20 bebbcorp, Aug 24, 2014
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