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. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What time of year?

    Here’s the run down:

    Rev is moving towards a year-round BA release schedule, but most occur (and will still) in autumn and winter. Usually the first release is October, and then there is another release each month through Jan I think (or maybe the 4th is usually in Feb). Not every beer makes it to distro, but 6ish usually do. Some will hang around till March or April, but some are also gone within a month or 2 of release. That’s one of the reasons why the beer finder is so amazing.
     
    #1241 Beer_Economicus, Sep 25, 2022
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  2. Spade

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

    Dayton, OH, last weekend of August.
     
    #1242 Spade, Sep 25, 2022
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  3. DIM

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

    Another mystery from @Beersnake1 only 2 more after this! Pounder can this time.

    [​IMG]


    Big ol' barrel aged American barleywine here I think. Nicely sweet up front, I get tons of caramel that is quite candy-like. No rough or charred edges to it. Sugar cookies emerge as this warms. There is plenty of clean booze and a little raisin here as well. The finish stays plenty sweet and plenty boozy, but adds a nice bitter tingle. Call it an oaky char. Big and brassy, clocking in at...14% maybe? I'm liking this a lot! The reveal-

    [​IMG]

    This was an interesting one to try blind. I detected a slight raisin note that seemed right at home in a barleywine. I would have absolutely chalked that up to the Quad addition under normal circumstances. I am surprised this isn't 100% barrel aged. I've been revealing these to myself around midway through, what have you been doing? I "found" more Quad after knowing it was there. I think the biggest lesson here is I can't trust myself! Thanks for this treat!
     
    #1243 DIM, Sep 26, 2022
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  4. Beersnake

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

    Glad you enjoyed this one! Picked it up in Victoria last spring and loved it. Glad I had an extra to send! Canada representing!
     
    #1244 Beersnake, Sep 26, 2022
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  5. Beersnake

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

    Mystery barleywine time again! Thanks to @DIM for another! Poured at fridge temp. Pours dark brown with very little head. The nose is delightful. Big toffee and bourbon. Smells like an English barleywine to me. Also getting vanilla, sherry, brown sugar, and oak. Figs, plums, raisins. Just keeps me wanting to take another sniff.

    The taste follows the nose. Incredible. Boozy. I'm guessing this is up near 13 or 14% ABV (maybe even higher). Big bourbon comes through. Toffee, prunes, figs, brown sugar, slight bitterness (oaky?), a touch of maple, and brandy. Definitely think this is a big bourbon barrel-aged barleywine! How boozy this tastes, I'm guessing some extended aging in barrels.

    The mouthfeel is absolutely stunning here. It's silky smooth and super viscous. Not syrupy, but just perfect. Magical.

    Just a lovely beer. I will reveal it in a minute.

    [​IMG]

    The reveal: Kane Picture in Reverse Scotch Double Barrel Aged Old Ale. Blend of old ales aged for 27 months in Willett bourbon barrels and finished in non-peated Scotch whisky casks. Holy crap is this good. I definitely got the big boozy (this is 16.1%!!) and the extended barrel aging (27 months). I did not immediately pick up on the Scotch casks, but now that I know it.....I can definitely detect it. What a treat! Thanks again, @DIM !!


    [​IMG]
     
    #1245 Beersnake, Sep 26, 2022
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  6. DIM

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

    Hope it was okay to include this in a barleywine trade, I read somewhere that it's a blend of old ales and barleywines. Anyway, I know you liked Double Double Cask as much as I did so I had to include something from Kane. Their barrel program is fast becoming one of my favorites. Glad you liked it! Happy birthday to your kiddo! I hosted some kickball parties for my 9 year old this summer. They were fun! And loud...
     
    #1246 DIM, Sep 26, 2022
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  7. Beersnake

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

    More than okay! This was incredible. I could definitely see a mixture of old ales and barleywines in this one. I honestly didn't think twice about this being a barleywine. I guess that says something about the styles. Curious about the malt composition of this compared to one of their barleywines. I'm really happy that you included this. I fell in love with Kane after the Double Double Cask, and this just reinforces my love for Kane!

    Thanks for the birthday wishes. It was a great party. Loud is pretty standard for any party, even for the older kids!
     
    #1247 Beersnake, Sep 26, 2022
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  8. Beersnake

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

    Mystery barleywine time! Thanks to @DIM for sending this one. One left after this!

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a light brown with a reddish hint. Opaque with little head. The nose is full of toffee, figs, and hops. I'm thinking American barleywine right away. Raisins and plums come through as well.

    The taste confirm my initial take. If this isn't an American barleywine, I'll be shocked. Grapefruit peel, pine needles, toffee, raisins, plums, granny smith apples, leather, and a nice earthy note. Menthol, floral note, and maybe a hint of tree sap. Really nice. My guess is no barrel aging.

    Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a mix of bitter and sweet on the aftertaste. Overall, a wonderful beer!

    ABV seems around 11 or 12%

    [​IMG]

    The Reveal:

    Villain from Cartel Brewing. Sounds like I was pretty close on this one! Fantastic beer!

    I love how they did the label on this one. Doesn't disclose much! @DIM - this continues to be an amazing experience. I am both excited and sad for the next one, being the last one. We will have to do it again at some point!

    [​IMG]
     
    #1248 Beersnake, Sep 28, 2022
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  9. DIM

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

    Nice, glad you liked that one! It was the only local offering I had to send you. I'll be opening one of yours soon!

    Hey, when are you planning on opening the last one I sent you? I have one of those left that I'd like to open at the same time.
     
    #1249 DIM, Sep 28, 2022
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  10. Beersnake

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

    It sure is a fantastic local offering! I am hoping to open it on Thursday. Tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday nights are not likely possible, and I head over to Europe/Africa on Sunday for a few weeks. So, if not Thursday, it will be some time later in October. I'll let you know when I know!
     
    #1250 Beersnake, Sep 28, 2022
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  11. DIM

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

    Back with my second to last mystery barleywine from @Beersnake1

    [​IMG]


    12 ounce black waxed bottle this time. Going out of limb here and calling this a brandy barrel aged American barleywine. Up front this is sweet caramel and butterscotch. Towards the middle lots of decadent brandy, berry, and raisin with tingly oak. I love the finishing boozy exhale. Guessing 11% here?

    The reveal-

    [​IMG]

    Wow, swing and a miss! Bourbon barrel aged English barleywine here. Oh well, apart from a strong note of bitter tasting crow this is really dang good! Enjoying the last few ounces, I still swear I taste brandy more than bourbon! Thanks again for another great experience, not a clunker in the bunch! Oh, and if we don't hear from you beforehand have a great trip. Sounds amazing!
     
    #1251 DIM, Sep 28, 2022
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  12. Beersnake

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

    Glad you enjoyed that one! I'm really looking forward to your thoughts on the final beer. Cheers!
     
    #1252 Beersnake, Sep 28, 2022
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  13. Argail

    Argail Pooh-Bah (2,367) Dec 19, 2019 Louisiana
    Pooh-Bah

    same people lovers )
    [​IMG]
     
    #1253 Argail, Sep 28, 2022
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  14. CarolinaCardinals

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

    Enjoying an English Barleywine from Olde Hickory. Very nicely done with notes of figs and plums with enough hopping to balance yet leave a touch of residual sweetness. Looking forward to the BA version of this brew; Appalachian Walker!
    Cheers!
    Tom

    [​IMG]
     
    #1254 CarolinaCardinals, Sep 29, 2022
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  15. CarolinaCardinals

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

    Catching up and inspired by the last months' worth of posts between @DIM and @Beersnake1, i am moving onto round 2 and enjoying a Third Coast. So easy drinking. I find this is pretty balanced and not overtly hoppy with a nice compliment of dark fruits, nice take on the American style!
    Cheers!
    Tom

    [​IMG]
     
    #1255 CarolinaCardinals, Sep 29, 2022
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  16. DIM

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

    Good to see you again Tom!
     
    #1256 DIM, Sep 29, 2022
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  17. Beersnake

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

    Nice! What's amazing is that I haven't tried Third Coast yet. Just doesn't show up around here, although I think a place in San Diego has some.
     
    #1257 Beersnake, Sep 29, 2022
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  18. adrock314

    adrock314 Pooh-Bah (1,963) Apr 14, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Haven’t checked in to the BW lovers thread for too long. Revolution Mineshaft Gap.
    [​IMG]
    This is really something. Chewy with a complex sweetness. It’s still at fridge temp and the flavors are intense, can’t wait for it to warm up a bit. Not sure if this is still in the Rev rotation but I need to get some more.
     
    #1258 adrock314, Sep 30, 2022
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  19. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    We get almost all Bells. I always buy this beer. Last year I gave up looking and then walked into a grocery store one day and there it was. Still have 5 left. It’s a quality beer worth buying if you see it.

    Enjoy
     
    #1259 Giantspace, Sep 30, 2022
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  20. Beersnake

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

    Hey @DIM - I think I’m gonna crack that last mystery barleywine in just a little bit!
     
    #1260 Beersnake, Sep 30, 2022
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