Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

Old Jetty is a sleeper. I was so glad I got to try it. Still think I should've ordered a pour of '21 to compare to '20, but opted to try their stout instead.

 

Damn lol. Well, if I'm ever up in Buffalo I know where I'm going

 

Still have some bottles of that.

 

Damn, so thick it defies gravity!

 

Some interesting facts. I knew the bottle was pre-1986 because I own several of those and they have a color label but no date on the cap. However, I didn't know how old this particular bottle was so I called the brewery several years ago and this is what I was told.
1983: Bigfoot was labeled a 'strong ale'
1984: Bigfoot was labeled a 'barleywine style ale ;' black and white label with gold cap
1985: colored label with gold cap
1986: colored label with blue cap and Sierra Nevada logo
1987: colored label with beginning of dated cap

I've owned the bottle since the late 80s and I acquired it from a liquor store I worked at in DC. It's always been cellared at proper temps (today my cellar is at 56F). Despite the bottle being a screw cap I believe it aged well - obviously, depending on your taste! Nearly no CO2 and poured clean. Sediment on bottom of bottle is like tar. Taste was traditional sherry/port with less vinous flavors and more earthy malt. No heat. Strong oxidation but not overpowering nor distasteful. Some 'soapy' character in aftertaste that I just can't figure out.

 

My friends and I have an annual Barleywine bottle share (ostensibly for Chuck's birthday), and it happens to be tomorrow. I'll try to post up a few pics. I'm bringing a couple Revolution's, and we've got Bigfoot from 07, 09, 10, 11, 13, and 22 committed, and folks are digging through their cellars today for more vintages.

 

And, as of the latest update, it looks like we're gonna have years '07-'21, inclusive, for our vertical.

 

Just shared the other night a 2020 Boulevard Rye on Rye. Listed as a rye beer, but it’s really a Barleywine through and through. 14% ABV. Forgot how good this beer is, been at least 5-7 years since I’ve last had it.

 

Still no 2022 Bigfoot here. I grabbed a six pack and it was 2019. I did not trust it has been kept well so I put it back.

Enjoy

 

It’s the verticals that always kill me at shares. Good luck!

 

So my preference and vote was the English style, mainly the malt forward aspect.
I feel the richness and depth are more appealing. That said I enjoy any good Barleywine. I buy a case of Bigfoot, Third Coast, and Old Foghorn every year, when I see them.
Locally we have Cambridge Brewing Company with consistent annual offerings.
Tonight I am enjoying this treat from Honest Weight, in conversation with one of the Brewers “ we brewed this one because we love the style, and was shocked at how fast it sold”. Let’s hope that’s a good sign for a future fall release.
Enjoy the Barleywine’s
Cheers all

 

I scored a case of Nemesis this week for $10 and added it to my stock of Big Foot and Third Coast. Love the American style, have a difficult time finding many English.

 

??????????

 

No idea. My local distributor put a bunch of beer on blowout. I got the case of Nemesis, case of KBS and a mixed case of other Founders for $10 each. $32 with tax for those three cases. Made for a good day.

 

I enjoy Rye on Rye, but really miss Rye on Rye on Rye.

Even my boss brings that beer up from time to time, and how much he liked it.

 

Hot damn, thats insane.