Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

Figure since @Beersnake1 is in the Imperial Stout thread with a beer from @CarolinaCardinals I'll stop by in here with a beer from him as well!
Very refreshing to be drinking a barleywine that isn't a cloying mess .
I would expect an English Barleywine to be too sweet , but this is one isn't and i assume it's the barrel that helped.

Zebulon - For Lou Reed
Whiskey Barrel Aged Barleywine

 

Yeah! Same here.

 

Very nice. I would drink it sooner than later. This style of english barleywine is already mellowed out (not hot) and pretty sweet. Aging will only make it sweeter. I have one coming myself and plan to either drink it right away, or wait for the holidays.

 

Noted- However 16 months really isn't that much time for such a large beer to meld together. There's a lot going on there with the heavy malt bill as well as the addition of the barrel character. I'll prob. just pick a special occasion sometime the next year, maybe a good one for next year's May birthday!

 

This is a 2023 version. I've never had any of the others so I'll take your guy's word for it that extensive aging really isn't necessary. Of course it all boils down to personal preference. To me a 14% beer always can use a bit of time to mellow out and meld together even if the harsh or hot flavors aren't present.

 

I was close to buying two so I could see what age does. But $70 on two beers is rough.

speaking of extensive barrel aging. I’m pretty excited for my Double Barrel: Life Unraveled (Icarus brewing) to get here. 18 months in HH barrels and then 7 months in private batch HH barrels. Chasing the barleywine dragon is our sickness. Looking for those VSOJ equivalent barleywines is an endless quest

 

Your descriptions that are not overly-wordy, and are precise, and visceral, such as, "Huge, over-the-top notes of dates, brown liquor, and prickly, charred brown sugar..." are some of the things I enjoy about how you talk about beer.

 

Good luck on your quest! Report back when you drink them, sound really tasty.

 

Got this one down in TN over Thanksgiving break. Don't know the year. Left the dregs in the bottle. First sip was great but super sweet. Added some bourbon to cut it and glad I did. Almost zero carb was disappointing. Amazing nose. Faded hops and sweet caramel bourbon on the taste. I forget the price point but will pick up again if I ever see it and it's not stupid expensive.

 

Indeed - Old Breed bourbon barrel aged barleywine ale

I’d say I want this deep rich caramel to be my cologne but I’m pretty sure I sweat it as it is.

 

Thank you, sir. I wish I had opportunity to speak about beer as often as I used to do..

 

And the Claremont tasting is on! This brew has been aged in Bourbon, Brandy, and Tequila barrels for an unknown amount of time. Bottled 7-19-22.

Nose is very nice, notes of dates, figs, bourbon, and dark grapes.
Taste is very nice, a large malt base gives raisons, and brown sugar. Barrels play a supporting role giving a touch of bourbon, honey, and dark grapes. Finishes a touch sweet which tells me the brewing team is giving us a very tasty English Barleywine style.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and very smooth.
Overall, i really dig this beer! Love the different dimensions the three barrels bring! Rating=4.32.