27 year old barleywine - Good to drink still?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Oneinchaway, Feb 17, 2013.

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  1. Oneinchaway

    Oneinchaway Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2011 California
    Trader

    Just came in possession of a 1986 Anchor Old Foghorn barleywine that has been properly cellared (or at least that's the info I'm under the impression of). Think this is still good to drink?
     
    #1 Oneinchaway, Feb 17, 2013
    kevanb, hoparoundnw2337, BlackBelt5112203 and 1 other person like this.
  2. Jerriko

    Jerriko Crusader (432) Jan 6, 2008 Washington
    Trader

    Yes.
     
    #2 Jerriko, Feb 17, 2013
    KevSal likes this.
  3. Ernest_Hooper

    Ernest_Hooper Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2012 Michigan

    You should take a test drive and let everyone else know.
     
    #3 Ernest_Hooper, Feb 17, 2013
  4. WynnO

    WynnO Maven (1,389) Oct 24, 2003 Florida

    No. Please send it to me first so I can check it. I'll send the bottle back.
     
    #4 WynnO, Feb 17, 2013
    bamadog, Boomblaze, mlaroche and 2 others like this.
  5. IamMe90

    IamMe90 Initiate (0) Sep 4, 2012 Wisconsin

    It might not be that great (or who knows - maybe it will be!!) but I don't see why it would be hazardous to drink. Go for it. :sunglasses:
     
    #5 IamMe90, Feb 17, 2013
    Oneinchaway likes this.
  6. HeyJim

    HeyJim Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2012 Pennsylvania

    What's the worst that can happen, a drainpour? At best you have an awesome beer experience.

    Not to sound like an ass, but I never understand these threads. Just open it and take a sip. If it sucks, move on with life.
     
    #6 HeyJim, Feb 17, 2013
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  7. BlackBelt5112203

    BlackBelt5112203 Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2012 Michigan

    Dude that's awesome. You gotta try it.
     
    #7 BlackBelt5112203, Feb 17, 2013
  8. booyahachieved3

    booyahachieved3 Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2012 Kansas

    Humble brag.
     
    #8 booyahachieved3, Feb 17, 2013
    gustogasmic, albertq17, BrettHead and 13 others like this.
  9. Cenosillicaphobe

    Cenosillicaphobe Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2011 Maine

    It should be a very interesting experience...hopefully you can dig up a fresh bottle for comparison.
     
    #9 Cenosillicaphobe, Feb 17, 2013
  10. Squidly

    Squidly Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2006 New Jersey

    Need pix of the entire tasting event.
     
    #10 Squidly, Feb 17, 2013
    itchytasty, kirkse, IMSPEAKNOENGLISH and 1 other person like this.
  11. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't had good luck with older Old Foghorns- they have been too oxidized for my tastes- but that could have been dependent on how they were stored. Still- yours has been stored properly and it's probably not getting any better, so it's definitely worth a try. The worst that could happen is that it is too sherry-like and you don't like it. It won't make you sick or anything.
     
    #11 TongoRad, Feb 17, 2013
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  12. Providence

    Providence Pooh-Bah (2,652) Feb 24, 2010 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you think it's questionable at 27 years, then you'll think it's questionable at 28, 29, 30, etc. It's not like someone's going to get on here and say "It's a drain pour at 27 years, but at 29 years it's amazing!" So you're either never going to drink it and wonder for the rest of your life, or you're going to give it a shot. No time like the present homie.
     
    #12 Providence, Feb 17, 2013
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  13. ant880

    ant880 Savant (1,179) Nov 7, 2010 New York
    Trader

    I hear at year 25 barleywines actually turn back into IPAs
     
    #13 ant880, Feb 17, 2013
    tkdchampxi, CMUbrew, gustogasmic and 21 others like this.
  14. wisconsinbeer1

    wisconsinbeer1 Pundit (822) Nov 11, 2004 Wisconsin
    Trader

    27 is pushing it. 26 is usually about perfect.
     
    #14 wisconsinbeer1, Feb 17, 2013
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  15. Oneinchaway

    Oneinchaway Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2011 California
    Trader

    Oh no, I know that it ain't getting any better or worst. I literally just got a bottle today from someone. I plan to crack this open soon, just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this long of a vintage themself to know if I'll need a quick washer right after. HA.
     
    #15 Oneinchaway, Feb 17, 2013
  16. Oneinchaway

    Oneinchaway Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2011 California
    Trader

    HA!
     
    #16 Oneinchaway, Feb 17, 2013
  17. jRocco2021

    jRocco2021 Savant (1,083) Mar 13, 2010 Wisconsin

    I had a 15 year old home brewed spiced ale once and it was fine so a barley wine should be be able to handle the age no problem.
     
    #17 jRocco2021, Feb 17, 2013
  18. UHCougar12

    UHCougar12 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2011 Texas

    If its not >=(.5*your age + 7) its too young for you bro
     
    #18 UHCougar12, Feb 17, 2013
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  19. Oneinchaway

    Oneinchaway Initiate (0) Jun 12, 2011 California
    Trader

    This is about 5 years past that then.
     
    #19 Oneinchaway, Feb 17, 2013
  20. hoparoundnw2337

    hoparoundnw2337 Initiate (0) Aug 6, 2011 Washington

    I hear what your saying. It's the obvious. However... If you don't understand, just read. Hey... It's beer... Fun stuff. Social stuff. A way of sharing. Maybe someone else has had a similar experience. I would love to hear about it. Wish I had one.
     
    #20 hoparoundnw2337, Feb 17, 2013
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