Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

An outstanding barleywine from a VERY small brewery just outside of LA proper.
Read the reviews from people more seasoned in the Barleywine world on here( i think theres 2 reviews and both of them got it from me)
Edit : Trustworthy Brewing - 2018 (i think?)Bourbon Barrel Aged American Barleywine
Probably found the last of them this past weekend 2 hours north of LA when visiting family on a shelf full of DUSTED bottles

 

A tasty English BA Barleywine from Hailstorm called Arctic Ale....

4.4/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle dated 2/8/16.
L: A dark reddish brown, minimal head, no lacing.
A: Dark fruit, molasses and bourbon.
T: Similar, to the aroma, a hint of coffee and alcohol, but its not overpowering. Sweet finish.
F: Medium bodied, minimal carbonation.
O: Solid beer from a Chicago area brewer.

 

The beer that Hailstorm took the name from is legendary.
https://www.allsopps.com/stories/arctic-ale

 

I went with this last night as well.


The label says strong ale. The website says BarleyWine:

 

Maybe I’m a bit biased because I work at Aviator (Fuquay-Varina NC) but they made a barley wine for the first time a month or so ago. Pretty solid and around 10.2-11% (depends on who you ask , I don’t have the actual number. It’s called Beserker.

 

Finally cracked it. It’s definitely on the edge of the sweetness scale. Aging will probably make this even sweeter as the hops drop out further. Definitely in the top tier for this style, and would be in my top 3 if it was a little less sweet if I’m being honest. Will probably finish the bottle over the course of several hours

 

Since i am a NC guy was curious about Beserker but i am not seeing it on the Aviator website or Facebook, as well as BA and Untappd. Guessing it has not been released yet?
Cheers!
Tom

 

I recalled you had asked for my thoughts on this when i posted my bottle in the Haul thread early last month. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as i have not cracked my bottle yet. I have personally never done this before, but would a touch of a bourbon cut some of the sweetness? And if so, how much for half of the bomber?
Cheers!
Tom

 

I know you didn't ask me but I've added bourbon plenty of times to beer to cut the sweetness, I've never done it to a BA beer though. I usually pour a dash of bourbon to my glass or even get an eye dropper to be more scientific. Start small and keep adding until you like it. I've added bourbon and vanilla extract to Dark Lord and it totally transforms the beer.

 

Thanks for your suggestion!
Cheers!
Tom

 

A little goes a long way.

 

I do appreciate the history lesson, read it while enjoying this from Old Irving....

 

I've added a drop of vanilla extract to porters. Found it mixes better if the vanilla is in the glass first then pour the beer on it.

 

An old bottle of Traquair Jacobite Scotch Ale. Had one of these less than a year ago and really loved it. This time around, I really dislike it. I can't say how much of that is due to differences between bottles or differences in my perception. I tend to default to the latter explanation, but a swing this large makes me wonder if it's a perfect combo.

 

The way you described this beer in comparison to myself says it all.

I told @micada i liked it and it tasted Aiight while you, on the other hand, gave it some justice!