Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2026)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Beersnake, Jan 1, 2026.

  1. LesDewitt4beer

    LesDewitt4beer Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,315) Jan 25, 2021 Minnesota
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll keep an eye out for that one.:beers:
     
    ZebulonXZogg, vurt, Shanex and 5 others like this.
  2. DIM

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

    There aren't enough smoked barleywines. Loved that one.
     
  3. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,231) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I have one sitting in the wine cooler back home and i am sad to see your rating. I knew it was a funky concept going in, hoping the smoke is not overdone.
     
    vurt, Shanex, DIM and 4 others like this.
  4. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    A little (15.88% ABV) beer from 2023. It’s a cuvée with the following lineup of components:

    30% - Deth's Tar
    20% - X.O. Dark Mode
    20% - D.B.V.S.O. Lumberstruck
    10% - V.S.O. Boss Ryeway
    10% - V.S.O. Gravedigger
    5% - French Oak Petit V.S.O.J.
    5% - Deth's Tar finished in Brazilian Amburana

    It’s as magnificent as it reads, IMHO.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Sinfull, vurt, Shanex and 7 others like this.
  5. Beersnake

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

    A little glass of Don from Hair of the Dog. Amazing as always.

    [​IMG]
     
    Sinfull, vurt, Shanex and 6 others like this.
  6. Braunmeister_1943

    Braunmeister_1943 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,965) Nov 22, 2020 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I want to try it again. I think that I have another bottle.
     
    vurt, Shanex, Beersnake and 4 others like this.
  7. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,231) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Ive been enjoying the Firestone Walker Anniversary blends for a lot of years and appreciate the thought they put into it with the local vintners. What you had sounds wonderful as i have had a chance to sample one Revolution Hi-Test brew in the last few years. Cheers!
     
    vurt, Shanex, Beersnake and 4 others like this.
  8. DIM

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

    Love that one, I'm excited to see they're releasing it again this year!
     
    vurt, Shanex, Beersnake and 4 others like this.
  9. DIM

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

    Hey Tom, you had that beer! I know, I sent it to you:stuck_out_tongue:

    Phils stink
     
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  10. CarolinaCardinals

    CarolinaCardinals Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,231) Jun 11, 2003 North Carolina
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Oh S**t, you are right Dan! I am still concussed from hitting my head loading the CRV Saturday - yea, i am sticking to that story!
    Got to say i am shocked the Phils and the Mets are pretty bad but then again i don't know MLB rosters as well as the NFL - i know you had concerns about an older Phils roster. The D-Backs may have already peaked too, losing a series to the stinking White Sox although they pulled one out of their backsides in Mexico City yesterday against the Padres who have been En Fuego lately. MLB is a marathon and we are not out of April yet so who knows how things will play out!
     
    vurt, Shanex, Beersnake and 4 others like this.
  11. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Rev’s barrel program is the equal of any brewery on the planet.

    PS: I absolutely LOVE the Anniversary blends F-W puts together. They are tippity top world class, IMHO, with a barrel program likewise the equal of any brewery on the planet.

    It’s a great time to be a beer nerd.
     
  12. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Covert Artisan/White Elm collab Team Lift Old Ale, 12% ABV. I rated this 4.58 last year. This is a cuvée of a BBA Stout, a BA Belgian Dark Strong, and a Cognac BA English Barleywine, and lastly was conditioned in Rye Barrels.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Beersnake

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

    This one is hitting the right spot! Filled in October of 2025. Tastes great!

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. DIM

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

    Yes.
     
  15. Beersnake

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

    Old Stock - tasting great!

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. ovaltine

    ovaltine Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,787) Apr 6, 2010 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It’s been a minute - or 15 years or so - since I’ve had this iconic beer. Its crushingly dry bitterness is hitting the spot after a long day in the salt mines. Absolutely love it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    4.5/5 rDev +8.7%
    look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
    Pours a crystal clear ruby-hued copper color with a creamy khaki colored head that leaves a nice little cap on the body and covers the glass like two coats of paint with lacing. Gorgeous beer.

    The nose accentuates the two most prominent components of this beer, the toasty caramel aroma from the malt and the aroma of bitter, resiny pine courtesy of what I’m assuming are C-hops, with a smidge of citrus and raisins. Wow.

    The delicious bitterness courtesy of the resiny pine is front and center on the taste, and lingers throughout your journey with this beer, with the toasty caramel and raisin flavors providing balance and depth to this wonderful strong ale.

    The mouthfeel is full and surprisingly dry, which adds to the drinkability. What a pleasure it is to drink this beer with the delightful lingering bitterness I’m enjoying 5 minutes after finishing my pint.
     
  17. Beersnake

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

    Honey Pot - Willett Rye from Barreled Souls in Maine. Wheatwine aged for a year. 15.6% ABV. Fantastic stuff. Cheers!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Beersnake

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

    Etain - a barrel-aged old ale from The Bruery. 16.3% ABV. From 2018. Tastes amazing right now!

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Beersnake

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

    This might require a poll - what is everyone's top 5 for barrel programs (specifically for barleywines)? Off the top of my head, I'd probably go with:

    1. Firestone Walker
    2. Barreled Souls
    3. Bottle Logic
    4. The Bruery
    5. Revolution
     
  20. Beersnake

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

    Crap, I forgot about Central Waters and Tree House. OK, the list is way too long.