Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

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

Tags:
?

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%
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 58 of 97
  1. Beersnake

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

    We should coordinate! That eisbock barleywine looks really interesting!
     
    #1141 Beersnake, Sep 14, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and DIM like this.
  2. DIM

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

    Sounds like a plan, Baller tomorrow and eis sometime after a couple of mysteries have been solved?
     
    #1142 DIM, Sep 14, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and Beersnake like this.
  3. Beersnake

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

    Done!
     
    #1143 Beersnake, Sep 14, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and DIM like this.
  4. DIM

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

    Baller Baracus from Mason Ale Works. Mead barrel aged Barleywine. Collaboration between Horus Aged Ales, Beer Zombies Brewing and Mason Ale Works. This massive Barleywine was aged in high quality Mead barrels for over a year.

    [​IMG]

    Well this is an interesting beast. First of all, it's gorgeous. A dark mahogany color topped with a thick, lumpy head. Sweet caramel and toffee up front briefly before a berry notes kick in. It is vaguely strawberry-ish but mostly come across as tart fruit flavored candies. This finishes sweet, vanilla and honey. Overall this isn't really working for me, the berry flavor just doesn't jibe. It does smell pretty darn good though.
     
    #1144 DIM, Sep 15, 2022
    micada, CarolinaCardinals, augustgarage and 11 others like this.
  5. Spade

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

    Three Floyds Barrel-Aged Behemoth

    [​IMG]

    Another barleywine courtesy of @DIM. The barrel (bourbon?) flavor is well-balanced with the ale; gives the beer some heat without making me feel like I'm doing shots.

    That label artwork though... if this was on a store shelf my eyes would probably pass right by.
     
    #1145 Spade, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Rug, Nugganooch and 7 others like this.
  6. DIM

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

    3 Floyds has a strong track record with me, I typically enjoy their beer very much. I'm with you on the label art though, it needs work.
     
    #1146 DIM, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen, FBarber and 1 other person like this.
  7. Beersnake

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

    Joining @DIM tonight with a Baller Baracus - mead barrel-aged. Three-way collab between Mason, Beer Zombies, and Horus. 16% ABV.

    Poured from a can at fridge temp. Pours very dark brown - almost black. An inch of light brown head appears. The nose is interesting. Very fruity. Lots of honey and papaya. Pineapple, coconuts, apple sauce, red wine, and a bit of booze. The taste is also interesting, but I'm really not picking up much of a barleywine. It tastes more like a heavy rum mixed drink. The mead barrels don't seem to work well with the regular B.A. Baracus. Now that I've had it in the glass for a bit, I'm starting to get some chocolate and maple candy.

    It's quite hot on the taste - the boozy 16% is evident. That said, it's entirely drinkable and it definitely isn't the worst beer that I've had!


    [​IMG]
     
    #1147 Beersnake, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, augustgarage, Rug and 11 others like this.
  8. Beersnake

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

    I deliberately didn't read what you wrote before I reviewed the beer. I can definitely see the strawberry that you picked up. It's an interesting one. Good for them to try something new!
     
    #1148 Beersnake, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, sulldaddy, Uberdachen and 1 other person like this.
  9. DIM

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

    Had my last couple of swallows after reading your notes. I like your thoughts on the various fruits, apple in particular. The red wine and maple candy ring true for me. I got more of an artificial sweetener vibe as it warmed. Though this wasn't my cup of tea, I agree that I love it when b
    experiment!
     
    #1149 DIM, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and Beersnake like this.
  10. Beersnake

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

    I'm near the end, and I'm seeing some strong similarities between this and a wine barrel-aged barleywine I had a while ago. It's also become a bit syrupy. Almost a cough syrup at this point. I need to stop with this one and move on!
     
    #1150 Beersnake, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and DIM like this.
  11. Beersnake

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

    Next up is Iron Furnace from Jackie O's. Barleywine brewed with maple syrup and brown sugar, and aged in bourbon barrels. The nose was fantastic, but the taste was a bit disappointing.

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours very dark brown with literally no head. Looks super smooth. The nose is full of toffee, maple, bourbon, vanilla, figs, prunes, and brown sugar. Incredible nose.

    The taste is really nice, but I will say upfront that it's a bit too sweet. I get this sometimes with beers brewed with maple syrup. Borderline cloying for me. This significantly dropped my enthusiasm for this beer, but I am enjoying other aspects. Toffee, honey, maple, vanilla, malts, sweet candy, raisins.

    Mouthfeel is medium bodied. The alcohol is not detectable at all. Overall, a really good barleywine despite being a bit too sweet for me.

    [​IMG]
     
    #1151 Beersnake, Sep 15, 2022
    Mighty_Thor, CarolinaCardinals, augustgarage and 12 others like this.
  12. Hinda65

    Hinda65 Pooh-Bah (1,908) May 7, 2017 Utah
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This brew is a winner no matter what year..Oldest I have right now is a 2015 I think. Whats your oldest? I prefer older but this is tasting great

    [​IMG]
     
    #1152 Hinda65, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Rug, Nugganooch and 7 others like this.
  13. Hinda65

    Hinda65 Pooh-Bah (1,908) May 7, 2017 Utah
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Nice! I have one of those in the kitty...I'ts on my list to drink soon!
     
    #1153 Hinda65, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, DIM, Uberdachen and 1 other person like this.
  14. Beersnake

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

    I have a 2005 from my first daughter's birth year. Turns 18 next year (that's drinking age - she's half Canadian!) so we will share it then. I shudder to think that Bigfoot might be sliced from the lineup one day, but it is, and always will be, a favorite. Cheers!
     
    #1154 Beersnake, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Rug, Nugganooch and 6 others like this.
  15. DIM

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

    I agree, Bigfoot is always a good choice. The oldest I have on hand is a 2011. Like @Beersnake1 I have some from the years my sons were born, 2013 and 2016, to share with them when they're old enough.
     
    #1155 DIM, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, adrock314, sulldaddy and 4 others like this.
  16. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Currently enjoying an English Barleywine aged in Apple Brandy barrels for 14 months. Really great beer, but it could use a little more body. Apples, apple sauce, unfiltered apple juice, booze, wood, dried dark fruits, leather, tobacco (?). Yum! :sunglasses:

    Divine Barrel Sleep Is The Cousin of Death (Apple Brandy)

    [​IMG]

    Cheers! :beers:
     
    #1156 BMBCLT, Sep 15, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, augustgarage, Rug and 10 others like this.
  17. DIM

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

    @Beersnake1 and I did a barleywine trade this week with hidden labels. Barrel aged? Highly regarded? Adjuncts? All unknown until after the review. My first mystery beer is tonight!

    [​IMG]

    There are some classic barleywine elements here, butterscotch pudding, raisin, caramelized brown sugar etc. Plenty of booze as well, I think this is a big one. Definitely barrel aged, there is a nice oaky bite, a vinous note (wine? brandy?), and maybe some bourbon. Sweet overall but the grape-y tartness keeps things on an even keel. Overall this comes together extremely well.

    I'm actually pretty sure I know what this is. Not because my palate is awesome but because this brewery uses a unique bottle shape that I have come to know well. I think this came out around 2 years ago. I started a thread here announcing its release, I added this beer to the database, and then never did find a bottle! Deep Flux from Boulevard?

    [​IMG]

    I was right! Boulevard does a lot great things with barrels, including this one, then packages them sensibly in four packs for reasonable prices. I always have stuff from them on hand but for some reason this one did not make it to PA.

    I am really happy to have finally tried this, thank you!! Great first of many mystery barleywines, hope they are all as good!
     
    #1157 DIM, Sep 16, 2022
    Mighty_Thor, CarolinaCardinals, augustgarage and 11 others like this.
  18. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    That one comes together really well. Distribution of it was weird here, really had to rely on the BLVD finder. Which reminds me to check it now and good lord it has a huge list of stuff I have no idea if I should be looking for.
     
    #1158 Uberdachen, Sep 16, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Beersnake and DIM like this.
  19. DIM

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

    I always have to have BBQ on hand for my wife and throughout the year they release quite a few things that intrigue me. The mixed 6 with 2x each BA porter, stout, and barleywine from late last year was an amazing deal. Hope to see Magic Drip again this year.
     
    #1159 DIM, Sep 16, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2022
    CarolinaCardinals, Uberdachen and Beersnake like this.
  20. Beersnake

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

    Nice! I was really surprised when I saw that you hadn’t tried it. I had one bottle left and knew where it had to go. Cheers!
     
    #1160 Beersnake, Sep 16, 2022
    micada, CarolinaCardinals, sulldaddy and 2 others like this.
Page 58 of 97
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.