New to Barleywines. Recommendations?

If you can get your hands on it - Brew 1000 from Fremont Brewing.

More accessible BW's - Sucaba and Mother of All Storms are go-to's.

 

Old Horizontal from Victory. Troegs Flying mouflan. Stone old guardian are all solid.

 

Huge fan of SN Bigfoot and Bell's Third Coast. FWIW, I've always liked the Bourbon County BW much better than the Stout.

 

100% agree with this. Have had dozens of barleywines. Sucaba is worth the hype in my humble opinion, and BA Numbskull tastes incredibly similar...

 

Every time I read this question I honestly think this - Avery maharaja which is not a barleywine but does fit the bill or did imo.

 

Old Ruffian
Mirror Mirror
BA Bigfoot
Hand & Seal
Hog Heaven

I had last year's Mash a couple weeks ago. It was very good, but definitely different and very interesting. First time i have ever referred to a barleywine as 'juicy'

 

Well you started out with probably the best there is out there. Mostly will be downhill for you from there.

 

I like Middle Ages Druid Fluid (when I can find it). I also light those "light" barleywines like Rock Art Ridge Runner or Nimbus Old Monkeyshine.

However, I gotta say, when I'm craving a nice strong ale I usually prefer an Old Ale over a Barleywine but that's just me.

 

Damn, excellent list of greats, but here is another great one... Great, by Alpine. It is not currently available except by trade but if you want to try the best BW that is the one hit the bell for me. Bligh's, by Dry Dock, is also a favorite.

 

All the great ones have been said I think. I have nothing to contribute

 

Mine Is Bigger Than Yours. Not BA AFAIK, but an excellent English barleywine nonetheless. I found one of these with some age on it on a markdown shelf at the grocery store, and it was fantastic. (Available wherever F### Art is sold. )

 

Fresh Bigfoot is waaaaaaayy too hoppy. IMHO, it doesn't even taste like a BW. It's great at about 3 years old. Buy some, and start sticking it aside, and build towards a vertical. Flying Mouflan and Druid Fluid are a couple from your area I enjoy a lot.

 

While I won't turn my nose up to BA'd Barley Wines, I tend to gravitate towards regular offerings of both English and American. To me at least, the tastes that I love about them tend to get masked by bourbon when barreled. I love that depth of malt flavor of an English and the battle between hops and malt offered in Americans. Barrel aging IMO takes away from the flavors that pop. Caramel, hints of fruit or at least fig or raisin, vanilla, sometimes even a bit of dark chocolate creeps in. Don't think I get to fully enjoy those nuances hidden under bourbon.

Like others have said with regard to their preferences, when it comes to Americans I enjoy Bigfoot, Third Coast, Old Guardian (most odd years as well), Flying Mouflan and especially Old Numbskull, which if it were cheaper would be damn near a nightly drink for me. The one that got me started though was Uinta's Anniversay Barley Wine.

For English (which I'm not as fond of but still enjoy), I'd say that Duck-Rabbit Barleywine and Blithering Idiot are pretty good.

While you are trying out Barley Wines, extend your adventurism to Wheatwines and Old Ales as well, because in my opinion, they are all kind of interconnected.

 

Not as big of a fan as I used to be -- but have recently been tapping into my celler stock -- this 6 year old SN BF was just awesome. Also have enjoyed Stone Old Guardian in the past (have a number from '11 and '12 that will make a snowy night appearance tbis winter...) and Anchor Old Foghorn...which doesn't seem to get the best of reviews...but is a classic early entry to the American craft scene.

 

I hate threads like this. You are not a contestant on Price Is Right listening to the mob crowd. Discover beer yourself. I promise you the journey is the reward, unless you're a snob.

 

"One dollar, Bob"

 

Schlafly oak aged barleywine. Solid English version with well done oak accents.

 

As you are in NY, check out Cortland Flight Level 410 (BA version). If you like it, it's a bargain. $9.99/bomber, the last couple times I've gotten it.
Also, Horseheads - Domination Ale.

I concur on the Insanity recommendations. : )