Where to start with Barley Wine.

I'd say start with Bigfoot.

 

They can vary in sweetness/bitterness quite a bit. The "English" versions tend to be on the sweeter end of the spectrum and "American" versions more bitter. The most popular recommendation you'll get is Bigfoot, which should be good if you prefer less sweetness.

 

Go over to beer styles and check out English Barleywines and American Barleywines . . . See what's available in your area.

 

I'll second the bigfoot if you are into DIPAs. It is basically a big malty DIPA
It is also really easy to find.

 

Alesmith Numbskull is a great hop forward American style Barley Wine

 

If you can get it, Firestone Walker Sucaba is about the best example of an American take on an English barleywine you'll find. If you don't like this, you probably don't like barleywine.

Which is fine. For instance, I don't "get" pilsener, no matter how well-made.

 

The little bottles of JW Lees are meant to be shared, like a dessert wine. They are delicious through the range, but to be savored slowly....maybe on a cold snowy night! In my experience the best barley wines are not drinking beers , but sipping and musing brews.

 

If you're in North Carolina, try to find someone with an omega point. It's very sweet, but meant to be shared. It's also about as good as you're going to find without going on a crazy hunt.

 

Bigfoot is a big beer. Definitely a good one to start with

 

Though not a Barley Wine, this is where Samichlaus Classic fits in my life - like a brandy or something.

My issue with barley wines are that I am a lot like the OP in that I like hop forward ones more than sweet ones (which is why I'm not an English barley wine fan per se), but due to the natural reaction I must have towards great hop tasty time, I tend to drink it faster than I should. You know, so I can have like, another..... The only barley wine I have had that is both hop forward while being sufficiently governing enough to pace me, is a fresher Old Guardian. Being said, I think I am sitting on several old ones, so what the hell do I know anyway...

 

How about Victory Old Horizontal? It should be coming out soon. I was also going to suggest Troegs Flying Mouflan for another easy-to-get option though I did not see it this year. Either that, or I must have missed it...

 

I'm a hop head through and through but I greatly prefer English to American barleywines. English Barleywines are my #2 style. Sucaba is perfection. JW Lees are nice. Mirror Mirror is quite good. I'm dying to get my hands on some BCBBW. A 4pk would be glorious if anyone has some (hint...hint). Same thing with ADWTD, huge want of mine. But, these are all sweet sipping beers.

In the American style, Bigfoot is nice. 120 Minute after a few years is great. Third Coast is supposed to be pretty good as well but I've never had it.

 

Mirror Mirror and Weyerbacher Insanity are great. I prefer less hoppy ones myself.

 

What's the difference between "try to find someone" and "going on a crazy hunt?"

 

Bigfoot was pretty hoppy to me. That was my first barleywine.

 

What ones have you tried that you thought were too sweet? That might help with suggestions.