Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2024)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024.

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  1. Beersnake

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

    It's my pleasure to open up the barleywine appreciation thread for 2024. Dan (@DIM ) isn't feeling great, so let's all raise a glass to his quick recovery from COVID. We all hope you feel better soon, and that you retain your sense of smell and taste!

    Let's get going with the best liquid that can be poured in a glass (I know @Resistance88 agrees :wink:). Barleywine has a rich history in the UK and North America. The former brought us legends like Thomas Hardy's Ale, J.W. Lees Harvest Ale, and Bass Barleywine. The latter brought us classics like Old Foghorn, Bigfoot, Old Guardian, and many others. American barleywines are typically higher on the IBU scale, higher on the ABV scale, and somewhere in the middle between pale and dark color. In contrast, English barleywines are a tad darker, lower on the bitterness, but equally high on the ABV scale. These are strong ales and, as such, this thread often welcomes barleywine adjacent brews that are also classified generally as strong ales.

    So sit down with us, start a fire in the fireplace, crack open a barleywine, and tell us about it. Have one that has been sitting in the cellar for a decade? Crack it open and let us know how it has evolved! We are all barleywine brothers and sisters!

    *********

    I'll kick things off with Mighty Oak, an American barleywine from Tree House. This was sent to me by @sulldaddy in the barleywine/stout BIF (look for the next one in the fall). This is an American barleywine brewed with a blend of hops from the Pacific Northwest. It was then conditioned on American oak. Comes in at 9.7% ABV.

    I poured this at fridge temp, but waited 10 minutes before smelling it. Pours a dark brown/reddish color with minimal head. The nose is fantastic. I was expecting bitterness, but rich toffee immediately makes a presence. A deeper breath in reveals some fresh grapefruit, bread, oak, and a nice earthiness.

    The taste is exceptional. A perfect marriage between caramel and citrus. Not fighting, just holding hands. Neither dominates. It's fresh and crisp. Also getting flavors of green grapes, granny smith apples, slight leather, honey, and biscuits. Just lovely.

    The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a refreshing citrus aftertaste. Not citrus peel, but a nice juicy and sweet grapefruit with mild bitterness.

    4.35/5 rDev +7.1%
    look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024
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  2. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    Closing out my year with…
    [​IMG]

    Thomas Hardy’s Ale - 2008
    Oh yeah. Breathe it in deep. This is the stuff.
     
    #2 Uberdachen, Jan 1, 2024
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  3. Beersnake

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

    Oh dang!! Excellent beer for sure!
     
    #3 Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024
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  4. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I have that book as well. Great reference, but sad that so many of the old school American barleywines mentioned are no longer brewed
     
    #4 jmdrpi, Jan 1, 2024
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  5. Beersnake

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

    Totally agree, but it is nice to see breweries (like Tree House) brew classic American barleywines. Maybe there's hope for the future!
     
    #5 Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024
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  6. Uberdachen

    Uberdachen Devotee (355) Jun 21, 2019 Minnesota
    Trader

    The 15 year mark seemed like the right time to crack into the 4-pack. First of any year of it I’ve had, though.
     
    #6 Uberdachen, Jan 1, 2024
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  7. Beersnake

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

    Sharing a 2005 Bigfoot with my daughter who was born in 2005! She likes it! It's fantastic. Retains bitterness, but is balanced nicely by raisins, port, and leather. I don't necessarily like this more than fresh, but it's fun to try!

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024
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  8. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The Veil (Richmond, VA) - Circle of Wolves Vintage Reserve

    I originally splurged on this bottle when I stopped by The Veil last May when in town for business, to have as a birthday beer. But then I had bad seasonal pollen allergies the week of my birthday, so saved for another special occasion. So New Years it is.

    Rich aroma of dark caramel, buttery toffee, vanilla, some oak. Similar flavors in the taste, great depth of flavor. Slick mouthfeel, lower carbonation. Overall this is excellent
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #8 jmdrpi, Jan 1, 2024
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  9. Beersnake

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

    37 months? Wow!
     
    #9 Beersnake, Jan 1, 2024
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  10. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,219) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Thanks for opening the thread and the introduction Tim!
    Cheers!
    Tom
     
    #10 CarolinaCardinals, Jan 1, 2024
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  11. DIM

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

    Thanks @Beersnake1 for the great opening, looking forward to another great year here!
    I've got Bigfoots from the years my boys were born too, looking forward to sharing one day.

    Tim sent me a 2003 last year, might try to wait for the 25 year mark if I have the willpower.
    Agreed, but there does seem to be an uptick in barleywine being brewed in PA at least. Forest and Main, 2SP, Our Town, Lolev, Dancing Gnome, Artifice Ales, East End, Spring House, Tired Hands, Wallenpaupack, and Imprint all have released new ones in the last year and I'm sure there are plenty more I don't know about. @Spade pointed out several of these to me, thank you!

    Hope to join you all soon, cheers!
     
    #11 DIM, Jan 1, 2024
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  12. Spade

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

    In the last year I've also seen barleywines listed at Moo-Duck, Twisted Bine, Big Dog, Cartel, and Wacker, just looking at Lancaster County. Sadly that last one closed and I never got a chance to check out their barleywine.

    I'm thinking Bigfoot should be hitting the shelves soon. Maybe?
     
    #12 Spade, Jan 1, 2024
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  13. DIM

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

    Dang, I need to get out more. Forgot to say Ever Grain, my buddy says he has a can of Mistress of Evil for me.

    Yep, Bigfoot season is almost here...
     
    #13 DIM, Jan 1, 2024
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  14. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Barleywines are 2nd to Imperial Stouts too me, and they're really hard to find where
    I live, but I keep looking.....
     
    #14 ZebulonXZogg, Jan 1, 2024
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  15. VodkaPong87

    VodkaPong87 Pooh-Bah (2,060) Oct 9, 2020 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    They still have this and the base version available after many, many months. I have one bottle left of each to age, but will grab more if still available next time
     
    #15 VodkaPong87, Jan 1, 2024
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  16. ZebulonXZogg

    ZebulonXZogg Grand Pooh-Bah (3,142) May 5, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Surprised myself, 1st post this year is for a Barleywine, and an English one at that. So I'm enjoying Off Colors Aqua Regia a sessionable 9%er.
    4.09/5 rDev -1.2%
    look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
    Poured from a 12oz undated can, cloudy, very pale orange with a khaki head that faded quickly to a ring, no lacing. Fruity aroma, some orange peel, tastes are similar, some light sweetness. Smoth creamy texture. Realy nice, probably won't see it again.
    [​IMG]
     
    #16 ZebulonXZogg, Jan 1, 2024
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  17. Blogjackets

    Blogjackets Grand Pooh-Bah (4,816) Nov 22, 2017 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    When in Slippery Rock, North Country makes a nice barleywine called Embalmer. Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport makes a few solid ones including The Elder.

     
    #17 Blogjackets, Jan 1, 2024
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  18. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,219) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    [QUOTE="DIM, post: 7901650, member: 100299
    Yep, Bigfoot season is almost here...[/QUOTE]
    Was up at Sierra Nevada Friday for a tasting with some friends and enjoyed a pregame 2024 Bigfoot on tap with lunch, quite nice, rated it a 4.25 on Untappd :rolling_eyes: (yes @BMBCLT talked me into rating there recently). They also had 2014 Bigfoot on tap which was way tempting but had to save myself. Saw it in my local grocer cooler Sunday for $11.99 so i suspect mass distribution is starting to happen. Hope your taster is getting better Dan!
    Cheers!
    Tom
     
    #18 CarolinaCardinals, Jan 2, 2024
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  19. Spade

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

    If it's possible to be a hotbed for barleywine, it seems PA has to be in consideration. I see Bullfrog lists one right now, "Shady Hobbit" or something. Plus we've still got Blithering Idiot. Now if only Victory would bring back Old Horizontal...
     
    #19 Spade, Jan 2, 2024
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  20. DIM

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

    I think we need at least one brewery with a variety of excellent barleywines before we can be a hotbed. I am glad we are at least a warm bed on these chilly nights though.

    It's a pricey bottle, but the Beer and Beverage Shoppe has Forest and Main's Reflections of Reality.
     
    #20 DIM, Jan 2, 2024
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