Yep! From the original post: "We love everything barleywine, whether it's the hoppy American style or the malty English style. We also accept strong ales that lean towards barleywine, including barleywine/stout blends that lean more heavily on the barleywine. Scotch ales show up occasionally as well."
I decided to crack one of my 2011 big (750ml) bottles of Harvest Ale from J.W. Lees. I have never seen big bottles of this stuff since 2011. Does anyone know if they still produce these? This one seems to have more carbonation than any of the aged smaller bottles that I've tried. Really tasty. All of the wonderful Harvest Ale notes, but a little less smoky and a bit more toffee forward.
Revolution Ryeway to Heaven Bourbon and Rye BA Rye Beer, 15% ABV. Pours dark-brown with a one-finger beige head that left no lacing. Aroma is rye spice, bourbon, toffee, and malt. Taste is spicy rye and bourbon, moderately sweet, faintly bitter, no perceived bourbon/rye burn. Drymouthfeel, overall outstanding. Nice complexity. 4.63/5 rDev +6.2% look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75 Revolution refers to this as a Ryewine. I've had nine beers from Revolution, and the lowest I've rated one is 4.4.
I've used this line before but, I want my funeral pyre to built with spent staves from Revolution's barrel house.
Same, great beer and I think their prices are more than fair. Thankfully Halftime beverage out of New York ships to PA and I've ordered several cases over the last couple of years. Currently well stocked with straight jacket and gravedigger Billy.
Dream Sleep from Highland Park, in collaboration with Cellarmaker. 14.5% ABV. The blend consists of 3 barrel components including barleywine aged in an Applewood stave bourbon barrel for 10 months, barleywine aged in a Woodinville bourbon barrel for 30 months, and barleywine aged in a Bardstown bourbon barrel for 15 months. One of my favorites. Cheers!
Sierra Nevada Trip In The Woods BA Narfoot American Strong Ale, 12.8% ABV. Pours black with a 3+ finger medium-brown head that left no lacing. Aroma is roast malt and bourbon. Taste is dark fruit, bourbon, and roast malt, faintly sweet, moderately bitter. Decent mouthfeel, some dryness. Overall excellent. 4.24/5 rDev -2.5% look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25 It's been ages since I've had the component beers, but this seems less than the sum of the two. Definitely stout-forward.
@bbtkd has me questioning my recent unfavorable impression of the recent batch of Mineshaft Gap. Opening my second can from the pack. I got an off-putting vegetal note from the first can, not sure now if that was a bad can or a bad day for my palate because this one tastes pretty dang good. The cognac barrels are very prominent, plenty of boozy grapes and lots of oak drying out the finish. I wonder if this is the same base as Straight Jacket? Some caramel, raisin, and brown sugar, come through but this mostly barrel. Not my favorite from Revolution, but I'm certainly enjoying this. I think some time might improve the last 2 cans.
I haven't tried this one yet. Not sure I would like it, since I'm not a fan of wine/grape BA beers, though Cognac can be OK.