Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2025)

I can’t believe I’ve only posted once in this thread - I have to rectify that egregious lapse in judgment. I’m going to rejoin the festivities with a sorta side-by-side of an iconic barleywine that I truly treasure.





First up, this 2023 edition. I am shocked at how the C-hops have maintained their intensity, fully supporting the 90 IBU’s SN lists on their website for this big, brawny beer. The caramalt flavors are delicious, but man is that resiny bitterness sitting well on my palate.

 

#2, the 2025 iteration, which I picked up yesterday at my local.





The first thing I notice is that the body of the 2025 has no floaties, whilst the 2023 had a decent amount of floaties. I don’t mind them, so no biggie for me, but that was an immediate distinct difference.

Next, the color of the head - the 2023 head is a bit darker and sudsy/soapy whilst the 2025 is a creamier texture and a lighter tan color. Again, no biggie, but a noticeable difference.

Lastly, the flavor is strikingly different. The 2023 is SIGNIFICANTLY more bitter, with the C-hops pounding the palate with resiny bitterness. The 2025 has a noticeable bitterness as well, but the caramalt flavor is much more pronounced, providing for a deliciously balanced barleywine.

For this old beer nerd (who REALLY loves bitterness in a beer), the 2025 edition of Bigfoot is the better choice, but your mileage may definitely vary.

Cheers, barleywine aficionados.

 

Did you mean to say the 2025 was more bitter?

I still haven't seen a single bottle of 2025 here. Pretty shocking, but maybe not, as 2024 is still hanging around on the shelves?

 

No, the 2023 was more bitter - STRIKINGLY more bitter. I was really surprised. Much more balanced flavor profile with the 2025, IMHO.

 

That's good to hear. I stopped drinking that beer in 2023 because of the excessive bitterness.

 

Joining the legion of others enjoying 2025 Bigfoot

 

Speaking of Bigfoot i think i am sipping on a Canadian version! This is Olde Deuteronomy from Alley Kat in Edmonton and is a 2018 edition.
I have had many variations of Bigfoot going back maybe as old as 15 years and i have to say this has aged very well and i find OD comparable. The hopping has held up well but the toffee notes have become very pronounced. Citrus and pine may have once dominated, they have aged gracefully and commingle nicely with the malt base. Rated 4.21 overall.
Went on a lovely 4 hour ATV ride up the mountain earlier today. Last day here at Panorama Mountain, BC
Cheers!
Tom

 

2017. For @scream. Courtesy of @superspak.

 

The premier BeerAdvocate bottle share that I am hosting right now has competition in Pennsylvania, so we are going to step up our game.

 

@cheeseheadinMinneapolis.

 

Tell me more of this BeerAdvocate bottle share competition

 

The aroma is lacking, but the flavor makes up for it. Cross post from NBW 261.
Review:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/67058/754713/
3.73/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From a 750ml crawler purchased at the brewery. No date on the crawler.

This beer looks like very strong tea in my glass, because it has that color to it. Very murky looking in the glass. There was a 1 finger tan head to the beer that had good retention, and there's a bit of sticky lacing on the glass.
There's really no aroma to this beer, and that is a huge let down to me. All I am getting is the faintest hint of malt.
Taste - The taste is better than the nose, and there's a lot here. I am getting caramel and toffee up front. I am getting hints of plum and raisin in the middle. There's a strange, but pleasing finish to me for the style: dark chocolate. That was not expected, but a pleasing surprise. There's a nice and pleasing bitterness on the finish that seems smooth to me, if that makes sense.
The body is quite good, even though it is "only" 8.4%. The feeling from the bitterness does linger in my throat.
The lack of aroma is the only knock I can give this beer. This is quite delicious, and a good take on the style.

 

I’m a big fan of Fremont’s English barleywines and I have especially enjoyed their anniversary and Brew X000 series—and this one meets my high expectations. Fremont 14th anniversary, packaged in August 2023. Review below. Cheers!
________________
4.39/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle into a tulip. Pours a clear honey/amber with a thin khaki head that leaves behind a wispy film.

Aroma is bready and fruity—vanilla, oak, bourbon, light brown sugar.

Taste leads off with strong butterscotch, along with the aforementioned vanilla, candi/brown sugar, and booze. Caramel, toffee, and toasted coconut. Sweet but with a nice bitter counterbalance.

Mouthfeel is medium-heavy, smooth and velvety. Nice boozy heat going down but never harsh, syrupy, or overpowering. Lingering sticky finish.

Overall I’m quite pleased with this one. Perhaps most reminiscent of §ucaba.

 

There were BeerAdvocates from all over the country at my house in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Current and former BeerAdvocates in Pennsylvania gathered at the same time. It was a lot of fun for everyone involved. It was more of a collaboration between groups than a competition. Everyone came away a winner.

 

Nice. We currently have something coming up in Southern California in a couple weeks.

 

My 500th Barleywine review! They comprise 19.01% of my total reviews.

Ok this is my last beer from the BIF and it's a humdinger from @snaotheus A blend of at least 3 different barleywines aged in whiskey and rye whiskey barrels, Etymology from Fort George.



2024 bottling, 13% abv. This comes across as a very American version of an English Barleywine if that makes sense. Lots of fruity sweetness throughout, raisins, plums, quince, and just a little tart cherry and carb apple. There is brown liquor here aplenty but it is wonderfully well incorporated. The finish drys out a bit with addition of light tobacco and earthy, charred toffee. This is a gem, so glad to have tried this. Thanks Ryan!

 

@DIM, @Resistance88 , @Beersnake ,