Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

Alright, this is kinda freaking me out - I literally just pulled a couple of bottles of this from the beer fridge to share in this thread tomorrow. Bottled on date 3/8/21.

It’s like we have ESPN.

 

i've rated 267 barley/wheatwines. maybe my favorite style. my most recent top 10 was Aaron, of course. snagged by a buddy of mine who lives 30 minutes away. i'd probably slot that in about 6th.

When i first started trading i used to cellar the big bottle bwines to share with a friend as too much to consume solo. This ended up turning into an annual Father's Day weekend tradition while watching the US Open that lasted for 10 years. good times. those suckers sneak up on you!

the rest of my all time top 10:

JW Lees - my first but i'd probably rate it a bit lower now.

Behemoth - Woodford Reserve - after a 12 hour drive to visit the Chicago Art Institute on my daughter's college tour this was enjoyed with lunch before i turned the wheel over to my wife.

Wooden Hell - knowing i was going to Chicago i managed to score 4 bottles, 2 in my wife's name, and got another in trade.

Hardy's pre-1999 - snagged for me by my good friends at State Line, MD.

De Molen Mooi & Machtig Cognac - at a De Molen dinner in Philly with my daughter. amazing.

Doggie Claws - too expensive to get these days in PA.

Angels Share Bourbon - when you got a good batch these were great.

Iron Hill Oak Aged Tom - got several growlers from the Wilmington locale.

Old Numbskull Bourbon - impeccably crafted but not wowing.

Flossmoor Bourbon Hi-Fi Rye Wine - in a trade with the Wooden Hell.

Otto, Deal With the Devil and 4 year old Old Ho runner-ups.

 

Local shop has all these in one spot…

 

Wow.

Last night i had a beer i was holding Fremont Brew5000 and i was, as i expected,disappointed. The sweetness was just overwhelming and found it hard to pick up anything else .
I had brew3000 on tap last year and thought the same thing. Way too thick, 0 carbonation and cloying date flavor.
I understand that thats something people seek out though.
One of the best barleywines that i had recently ( Treehouse Tree Of Life) seems to have set the standard, although its a blend, for what i wish to find in a Barleywine from now on.
I have had way too many sweet beers in the past 2 years and just want to stop coming across any.

 

Haha! Those "Mean Girls" - gotta love it!

 

Hot damn. What's the name of this store? I see you're in NY and I'm making a trip to the city on Friday, might have to stop by if it's not too far

 

Did you cellar that beer? Or did you consume it 'fresh'?

Cheers!

 

Nowhere near NYC. Buffalo suburb. Place is called Premier Gourmet.

 

Hard to find many barleywines around me, particularly barrel aged. I pay a premium to an online shop for Straight Jacket and anything else from Rev. imo they have to be at least top 3 in the world for barrel aged barleywines. I haven't stumbled on Harvest Ale or Thomas Hardy, but would love to try them.

Also, Firestone Walker, PLEASE bring back Sucaba!!!!

 

i think i consumed it fresh. i might have siphoned off to a few swingtops for trade. backfilled with CO2 of course.

 

Look at this beauty
2020 BBA Old Jetty from El Segundo

 

The Barreled Aged Nemesis is good. The booze overwhelms everything else, at least on tap. Those toffee and caramel flavors didnt jump out like a Straight Jacket does. With that said I really enjoyed it and looking forward to what the bottles taste like. Did I say I love the booziness?

I went BA Nemesis, Brandy big lucious, nitro breakfast stout at Founders and then a Revolution Straight Jacket and a 1792 Sweet Wheat at home. Not a bad pour in the bunch.

 

No BA Black Biscuit?