Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2025)

You plenty of fine work on BA yourself sir!

 

I thought the same thing about 2024, looking forward to finding the current batch!

 

That's funny, I just heard a story the other day on NPR about dealcoholized wine and I wondered about NA barleywine. Love the can art and the extra "h"!

 

Homebrewed, transferring to a barrel.

 

Is this beer a yearly release? I have a can bought about a year ago dated November 2023, but the pack I bought today seems to not be dated.

 

I don’t know. I’m hoping it is!

 

3 Sons - Double Barrel SEXXXY Select - 16.9% - This is super sweet and highly viscous/syrupy.. I'm fairly new to the barleywine game but after tasting/indulging in several offerings by various brewers.. I've come to the conclusion that I much prefer lighter-bodied examples like the ones I've tried from Green Bench and Revolution. These syrupy+sweet BWs can become quite the chore to complete imo!

 

Living the dream. Hope it comes out tasting great

 

Thanks for that reply @Beersnake
Sierra Nevada's beer finder has now turned into total garbage and your post made me go to this one instead:
https://finder.vtinfo.com/finder/web/v2/iframe?custID=SNB

As a result, I was finally able to see where the beer was. It's been slowly appearing in my area. I was still confused why my normal shop wasn't showing up on the finder though. Well, I went to that store and figured out the answer - the store closed down. I tell yah, beer in 2025 is off to a terrible start for me, and I'm feeling way too pessimistic about it getting better. On the plus side though, I finally got 2025 Bigfoot... which I've been anticipating for too long. Fresh-Bigfoot is best-Bigfoot.

It tastes like Bigfoot to me, but it's hard to say. This beer has become increasingly drinkable for me with each year. In my case, I attribute it more to my tastes changing than the beer changing (but beers always change). The 2025 version is certainly a very bitter beer, but I'm also shocked by how quickly my six pack is disappearing. It's vanishing quicker than a pilsner 4 pack that I've had longer. The body is lighter than a one-year-old 2024 version. People can decide if that's primarily a product of aging or a product of batch variation.

 

To add to the above post, this blend goes out to @jesskidden

 

He could really use some of that, too.

 

Agree the body seems lighter. I still think it’s a bit less hoppy, but I like some crazily hopped ales so it might be just me. Whether it’s true or not, I’ll seek out more before I finish this six pack. Cheers.

 

I'm drinking a 22oz bottle of Lift Bridge (Stillwater, MN) Commander. Aged in 25 year Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. 2019 vintage. Bottle # 055. Cardamon Spice included. Best drank between now and 2028 stated on the bottle.

Look: murky drab brown body. Seemed kinda flat at first but the carbonation release was delayed and slowly released. Short head that hung on briefly.

Smell: Spice & alcohol.
Taste: WOW the spice is strong. The spice tastes like nutmeg, cinnamon and rye blended. Not much else but the spice, Ya there is a hint of bourbon and maybe toffee. Somewhat smooth slightly sweet.
Feel is ok not thin but not really thick.
I will give it a 4.08/5 today as it is. It actually seemed to hold up well, but the spice flavor maybe took over too much.

Don't worry Blogjackets, your 2019 beer is next.

 

No worries. I forgot to try one too. Maybe this weekend during nfl games. Cheers.

 

Clown Shoes/Schmaltz collaboration called Shoebelation, a blend of CS Billionaire, a BA English Barleywine, (listed as an American Barleywine here on), and Schmaltz's Jewbelation XI anniversary ale. Kinda' reminds me of red wine gone bad.....

 

Haven't had any Don for a while. This bottle has been open for months, I love being able to enjoy a couple of ounces as a nightcap without having to commit to an entire bottle in an evening.



Oh man this is intense, so much oak and booze (port especially) along with tart cherry, chocolate, and charred molasses. Nice.

 

Dang that's high praise! I wouldn't go that far despite the fact that we rated this the same. I loved being able to buy a case for $120! Glad you liked it Tim, cheers!