Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by DIM, Jan 4, 2022.

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Which type of Barleywine do you prefer?

  1. American

    97 vote(s)
    17.0%

  2. English

    295 vote(s)
    51.8%

  3. That's like asking me to choose my favorite child, I love them all!

    162 vote(s)
    28.5%

  4. Neither, if Barleywine is life then life has no meaning.

    15 vote(s)
    2.6%
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  1. MadMadMike

    MadMadMike Grand Pooh-Bah (3,555) Dec 11, 2020 France
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    A 2020 vintage, at ‘only’ 10.1%, this is closer to ‘quaffable’ than ‘sippable’.
    Love the near-intense hop accent, light brown sugar slash butterscotch-ish sweet mouthfeel, and drinkability.
     
    #681 MadMadMike, Apr 28, 2022
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  2. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The last time I tried this (a month or so ago), I definitely got barleywine. It's incredible! Here's what I said about it back in January:

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a nice dark brown with little head. The nose is fantastic. Brown sugar, Armagnac, bourbon, toffee, booze, rye, oak, and a bit of cherries. Really nice.

    Taste is amazing. Follows the nose. Bourbon, brandy, maple, toffee, figs, raisins, lychee, honey dew, chocolate, and a nice nutty taste. Walnuts. What a great barleywine with a ton of barrel character.
     
    #682 Beersnake, Apr 28, 2022
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  3. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Fremont Brew 6000.

    The wax was unusually thick and difficult to remove. I was so eager to experience the contents of the bottle that the 4 minutes I spent working at the wax seemed like an eternity. I felt like the 16 year old me clumsily fumbling around with the impossibly complicated clasping mechanisms on the undergarments of a young woman way out of my league.

    [​IMG]


    As expected, this is a stellar barleywine. Fremont's barrel program is absolutely top tier. I get tons of molasses and toffee plus a lot dates and raisins. The barrel notes just ooze with honey bourbon goodness. Absolute joy in a bottle, well worth the awkward, emasculating fumbling to get to.
     
    #683 DIM, Apr 30, 2022
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  4. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    At the risk of ruining the fun of removing the undergarment, er, I mean wax... I have a handheld can opener with little metal tabs on the inside. They're great for scoring the wax just below the cap, then the bottle opener hook on the outside edge peels the wax away nicely. (They're also handy for loosening stubborn corks.)

    Your post has also inspired me to put a barleywine in the fridge for later. Going with a Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot. If I can stay awake...
     
    #684 Spade, May 1, 2022
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  5. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Knocking off a bottle of Fremont Brew 6000. Seems a bit lighter bodied and subdued than it's predecessors, but easily drinkable:


    [​IMG]
     
    #685 BBThunderbolt, May 2, 2022
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  6. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    As it happens, I had the same struggles a few minutes ago. Fremont do love their wax. As to the contents, I'm think this the weakest of the Brew X000 serious. Just a bit bland and subdued compared to previous generations. Shrug.
     
    #686 BBThunderbolt, May 2, 2022
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  7. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Looks like you had the right tool for the job.

    I've only tried the last 2 years and I loved both. I thought maybe there was stronger fruit component this year, but it's been a year so I won't swear to it. I did notice that the ABV has dropped every year since 3000, maybe that's part of the blandness?
     
    #687 DIM, May 2, 2022
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  8. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's never a good sign when I have to use the serrated blade of my Wave, just to open a danged old beer.......
     
    #688 BBThunderbolt, May 2, 2022
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  9. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Leatherman for life FTW

    Its my go to to open wax bottles. Those trendy wood handles people use cant cut wire or be used as pliers.
     
    #689 Resistance88, May 2, 2022
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  10. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,231) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    @DIM finally enjoyed the Jackie O's Pieces of Time. The barrel blending was really well done which resulted in a cornucopia of flavors that comingled very well. IMHO on par with the Firestone Walker Anniversary blends.
    Cheers!
    Tom
     
    #690 CarolinaCardinals, May 6, 2022
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  11. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cross posted with the What Northeast beer are you drinking thread. this is Imprint Brewing in PA, 3 yr anniversary bourbon barrel aged Barleywine. Dont know the ABV, but this puppy is hot! boozy nose and warming! part of my NFL BIF 33 winnings! Glad I made it back here @DIM been drinking a lot of none barleywines and you are way ahead of me with contributions now. nice work! Oh and @Resistance88 , I didnt chew this waxed cap off!!

    onto my review:
    [​IMG]
    Im sampling a cellar temp 500 ml bottle poured into my snifter. No ABV on the label....
    The beer pours lighter than expected from the bottle, almost golden in color but rests in the glass a chestnut to copper color that is a little murky.
    Minimal frothy beige head foams up less than .5 cm and settles to a thin edge layer that clings onto the sides of my glass.
    Aroma is pretty heavy with bourbon and brown sugar mixing with some toffee notes and a bit of a fig note too. Also definitely some general booze scents telling me the ABV is probably higher on this beer. No hop character and the nose is appealing in my opinion, pretty much what I would want in a BBA barleywine. Rich, sweetish, and malty.
    First sip reveals a medium bodied beer with spacious and fine carbonation, very sticky mouthfeel and leaves residue on my lips after each sip. Also definitely some warmth on my palate and on the swallow each mouthful. I wonder what the ABV is on this one? its not hidden, that is for sure.
    Flavor is sweet malt and bourbon. I get toffee and some vanilla mixing with brown sugar and a bit of port wine/red grape thing here. Then bourbon takes over followed by some boozy heat. This beer doesnt hide its kick, wow!
    no hops to be found, were there any? I dont care, the beer is enjoyable and sweet malt dominant, but definitely a sipper and hot. Probably could age this a year or 3 and come back for some mellowing. But I only had this one bottle.
    Worth a shot if you like bourbon and boozy and sipping a beer for a while.
    4.26 in the BA DB
     
    #691 sulldaddy, May 7, 2022
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  12. 2beerdogs

    2beerdogs Grand Pooh-Bah (5,682) Jan 31, 2005 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wow, thanks to @Whyteboar for this gem.
    Into the Mist by Transient

    Rec'd in the chaos of NBS BIF #14.
    Pours profoundly dark for a barleywine. Dman near looks like an imperial stout. Milky mocha colored head is downright elegant.
    Nose is pure bliss. Caramel and toffee notes leave a room for some nutty and woody notes. But there's this overall creamy texture to the nose. A somewhat assertive rye note comes in late yet still makes way for one more round of toffee that has a gentle apple turnover pop to it.
    The flavor goes much lighter on the toffee and caramel. here the rye shines, along with a slightly dry nutty, woody bitterness. A very nuanced roast shows up and kind of makes way for a slightly dry bitter finish. Not completely different from the nose but definitely a surprising twist.
    Mouthfeel is medium plus, some velvety mouthfeel, and a hint of alcohol warmth. Might be a tad chewy for barleywine purists, but still pleasant.
    Overall, a very interesting take on a barleywine. Love the twists and turns of the rye and the nuttiness.
    4.29/5 rDev +5.7%
    look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
     
    #692 2beerdogs, May 7, 2022
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  13. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Funeralize is a badass name for a barleywine. Today was a dreary, chilly washout begging to eulogized in this fashion.

    [​IMG]

    I wonder what the folks at Tired Hands had in mind when they started this beer way back in 2016. Almost 4 years in barrels? Bottled in June of 2020 then not sold until earlier this year? This feels like an experiment gone sideways perhaps. Regardless, there's no way I could pass up a chance to try this one. Just too damn intriguing.

    [​IMG]
    image upload

    Thanks to @Braunmeister_1943 for posting about this one, I wouldn't have known about this mixed culture barleywine otherwise.

    What an interesting beast this is! I thought I was splitting this with my wife who appreciates sour beer more than I do. She took one sip, made a terrible face, dumped the rest of her glass into mine, and is now vigorously brushing her tongue. Moving on. There is a brief hit of intense sweetness up front reminiscent of VERY ripe red raspberries. It's quickly dulled but not overwhelmed by charred, borderline incinerated, caramel and a strong leather note. The finish has kind of an Oud Bruin vibe, mild apple cider vinegar, some biting, bitter oak, smoke, and maybe a little licorice. There is no carbonation, gentle, natural, or otherwise. Hair of the Dog taught me to be okay with that, so no big deal. I think...I think I really like it.

    I don't think I described this very well, I just don't have the vocabulary for something like this.
     
    #693 DIM, May 8, 2022
    Last edited: May 8, 2022
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  14. Braunmeister_1943

    Braunmeister_1943 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,965) Nov 22, 2020 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    You have quite eloquently said what I wanted to to say about Funeralize. Very different from other Barleywines I’ve had, but in a good and interesting way. I have another tucked away for a later date. Cheers!
     
    #694 Braunmeister_1943, May 8, 2022
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  15. micada

    micada Grand Pooh-Bah (3,960) Jul 13, 2015 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Delicious as always. No stout body middle, just caramelly pit fruity barrel wood English style barleywine.

    [​IMG]
     
    #695 micada, May 8, 2022
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  16. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Cape May BC Boughs of Barley

    [​IMG]

    I was at a friend's house in Cape May this weekend, as I enjoy visiting the shore when it's 50° with gale-force winds and torrential rain.

    I picked this up at Cape May BC with the intention of saving it for a future weekend. Unfortunately it tumbled to the car floor and the cap was loosened, so we drank it last night. I assume this accounts for the excessive foam when first pouring.

    The color was on the lighter (golden) side and the feel leaned towards syrupy. The flavor had some malty sweetness. The label said it was aged in mezcal barrels which manifested more as "fruity" than "alcohol". In fact, the 10.9% abv wasn't particularly noticeable.

    Overall it was a great bottle and may have been a happy accident since this was the perfect end to a dreary Saturday, while the 2 of us drank it down watching baseball.
     
    #696 Spade, May 8, 2022
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  17. chipawayboy

    chipawayboy Pooh-Bah (2,181) Oct 26, 2007 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cellermaker does it again. 17% blend of multiple BAB-wines.
    [​IMG]
     
    #697 chipawayboy, May 13, 2022
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  18. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Vintage 2010 Stone Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Guardian. This has held up incredibly well! Sweet caramel candies dipped in brown liquor dominates. I get some vanilla and raisins, the sugary kind from cereal, as well. The finish adds bitter oak and hints of pine. I wish they were a bit more subdued but overall this comes together far better than I'd hoped. Quite a treat!

    [​IMG]
     
    #698 DIM, May 14, 2022
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  19. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    one of the best BBA Barleywines i have had
     
    #699 Resistance88, May 14, 2022
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  20. Braunmeister_1943

    Braunmeister_1943 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,965) Nov 22, 2020 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    Bought a 4 pack of 3 Floyds: “Pillar of the Beast “ today. A little pricey but worth it IMHO.
     
    #700 Braunmeister_1943, May 15, 2022
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