Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2024)

Huge thanks to @DIM for this one! Bourbon Barrel-Aged Barleywine from Artifice Ales & Mead. Aged for 2 years, and comes in at 14% ABV.

Poured at fridge temp. Pours very dark - almost black. Zero head and no noise when the cap was popped. Almost still. The nose is black currant, black licorice, and tons of bourbon. Vanilla, toffee, molasses, and some tobacco smoke.

The taste is really interesting. Comes across as a 20-year old English barleywine. Port, sherry, leather, smokey plums, and dusty old books. Some black licorice comes through over time as well. Some bourbon, but the other flavors dominate (surprisingly). Super fun and intense!

Mouthfeel is slick, oily, and boozy dark fruit.

 

Yeah, I wonder. It's interesting that they don't mention the lack of carbonation either...I can see this one aging nicely! Thanks again for sending this one!

 

Nice, Dan! I love that one a lot. Glad you enjoyed it!

 

A huge thanks to @DIM for sending this one! XXXXX from Grimm - a mild barleywine. Comes in at 12% ABV.

Poured at fridge temp. Pours a nice dark brown with almost no head. The nose is wonderful. Rich caramel, mild hops, bread, apricot, plum, and a nice candy sweetness.

The taste is amazing. Follows the nose to some degree, but also departs from it in other ways. A leathery caramel with a citrusy hop notes come through right away. Raisin, pine, slight molasses, and a bit of red wine come next. This is so nicely balanced between a hoppy note and a sweet toffee/candy note. I'm not sure where the mild comes from, as I don't think this taste is mild (nor is the ABV). Strange. All I know is that this is fantastic.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with mix of sweet and bitter on the aftertaste. Lovely beer overall. Thanks again, Dan!

 

What do you think?

 

2022 Mother of all Storms from Pelican. Amazing as always. It has that unforgettable MoaS taste. Slight burnt caramel, bourbon, vanilla, bread, old leather, and a slight layer of dark fruit. Lovely!