CW BB Barleywine

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Farral, Feb 11, 2015.

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  1. Farral

    Farral Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2014 Wisconsin

    I am fairly new to aging beer, but I've become quite a fan as I love all of the typical "cellar" beers. I got my hands on 8 Central Waters Bourbon Barrel barleywines last week and hope to get 8 more this week. I, of course, drank one fresh. It was BOOZY. However, despite the booziness, there was still a wonderful flavor that cut through the booziness enough to still make the beer highly enjoyable fresh. Knowing that that flavor is there, and that the booziness will calm over time, it makes me believe that this beer is going to age incredibly well. I know many ppl out there have a ton more experience with aging and this particular beer than I do. Do any of you have an optimal aging time or should I just try one every 6 months to a year and see?
     
    #1 Farral, Feb 11, 2015
  2. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #2 mbockstruck30, Feb 11, 2015
  3. Farral

    Farral Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2014 Wisconsin

    Sorry, newer on here. I wasn't sure how CW's distribution was and I didn't want to post in the cellaring forum and have it just get lost in the shuffle b/c most ppl on that forum wouldn't have access to the beer. Thanks for the advice on using BA and on aging the BW though.
     
    #3 Farral, Feb 11, 2015
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  4. atone315

    atone315 Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2008 Wisconsin

    One of the BEST barrel aged barleywines to age. 3-4 years of age and still delicious!!!
     
    #4 atone315, Feb 12, 2015
  5. Drew26

    Drew26 Initiate (0) Nov 2, 2012 Wisconsin

    2 years is my personal sweet spot for it, though 1 and 3 years are great too. I also think cw bbs ages well.
     
    #5 Drew26, Feb 12, 2015
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  6. Yohann

    Yohann Zealot (744) Apr 29, 2014 Wisconsin
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    IMHO it's much better with a year on it than fresh.
     
    #6 Yohann, Feb 12, 2015
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  7. brandoman63

    brandoman63 Initiate (0) Jul 19, 2005 Illinois
    Trader

    I recently did a 4 year vertical of CW BBW. None of us noticed a significant difference in the beers. The aging did not hurt the beer at all, but it didn't really add anything either.
     
    #7 brandoman63, Feb 12, 2015
    Mitchell57 likes this.
  8. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Y'all must be on some serious drugs. :grinning: Though it is interesting, the 2015 fresh is much closer to the 2014 with a year on it. Far smoother & less harsh this year right out of the gate.

    Did you note the colors? I can't recall which years are which, but when we did a vertical back to 2008, there was a huge variation not only in taste, but in color as well. That was the one thing that really stuck with me. Well, besides the hangover the next morning...
     
    #8 maximum12, Feb 12, 2015
    Rand_ale_Thor, Duff27, Farral and 1 other person like this.
  9. Bshaw22

    Bshaw22 Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 Wisconsin
    Trader

    This beer is like caramel corn and sweet toffee goodness from day one. Reminds me of Backwoods Bastard with a smoother finish. SOOOOO GooD!
     
    #9 Bshaw22, Feb 12, 2015
  10. Darwensi

    Darwensi Zealot (716) Sep 7, 2007 New York
    Trader

    anyone know when this is hitting Chicago?
     
    #10 Darwensi, Feb 13, 2015
  11. Ri0

    Ri0 Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Wisconsin

    Agreed. There are a few BWs that are good fresh, but many are better after a year. Bells Third Coast is one of a few that I enjoy fresh.
     
    #11 Ri0, Feb 13, 2015
  12. s_wit

    s_wit Initiate (0) Apr 26, 2012 Wisconsin

    I think that third coast is one of the only I prefer fresh over not. It gets a little sweet when aged.
     
    #12 s_wit, Feb 13, 2015
  13. elkabong

    elkabong Initiate (0) Apr 1, 2014 Wisconsin

    :goggles:
     
    #13 elkabong, Feb 13, 2015
  14. dmbforever

    dmbforever Initiate (0) May 8, 2013 Wisconsin
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    Bottom line for me: its tasty fresh and aged.
     
    #14 dmbforever, Feb 14, 2015
  15. krustster

    krustster Zealot (622) Nov 22, 2013 Maine
    Trader

    I really don't think it's boozy fresh, I enjoyed it on tap more than anything. It may be the hops that you're detecting as a harsh flavor. I suggest consuming multiple bottles in a row to alleviate the agonizing pain of drinking one of the most delicious beers ever created. A beer that's 11 or 12% is going to be somewhat "boozy" regardless of how long you age it. Other than IPAs, most things don't change much until more than a year later.
     
    #15 krustster, Feb 14, 2015
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  16. Wiscobrew

    Wiscobrew Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2011 Nevada

    I have done 5 year verticals twice, 09-13 and 10-14. The conesus has been that 5 years is too long, 4 is ok. From now on only saving up to 3 years.
     
    #16 Wiscobrew, Feb 17, 2015
    s_wit, Drew26 and dtjager like this.
  17. atone315

    atone315 Initiate (0) Oct 8, 2008 Wisconsin

    So, has anyone seen this around Milwaukee or has it sold out already?
     
    #17 atone315, Feb 17, 2015
  18. mbrike

    mbrike Initiate (0) Jan 16, 2015 Minnesota

    Got a case today and hot damn its good, now I'm fighting the urge to drink it and and let it cellar. I thought it seemed a little sharp on the back end and I'm thinking that will tame down a little.
     
    #18 mbrike, Feb 23, 2015
  19. Bshaw22

    Bshaw22 Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 Wisconsin
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    Sendiks on North in tosa sit I'll had it a few days ago along with the stout
     
    #19 Bshaw22, Feb 23, 2015
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  20. crkone

    crkone Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2006 Wisconsin

    It's also at Metcalf's on State in Tosa. Along with a bunch of Hopslam.
     
    #20 crkone, Feb 23, 2015
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