Baladin Xyauyu Gold

I just cracked my Copper last night, and poured a 3-ish oz. sample. Like a very low alcohol scotch or brandy, no burn, still and sweet, no woody notes, but very tasty. This stuff was WAY ahead of its time.

I re-corked it and put it back in my cellar, and will probably wait a couple of weeks before sampling again, so as to see what develops over age after opening.

 

That's what it says on the profile for the regular Xyauyu

 

Not sure what you mean....the only 3 that come up are the Copper, Silver and Gold. None of which are listed as "retired". In fact, they're all listed as "year-round".

 

Opened a 2004 Copper at a recent tasting and it was unanimously voted as the least favorite beer of the day. Zero carbonation, syrupy, insanely sweet and boozy. Really harsh and tough to drink. I was the only person to finish my pour. I haven't tried the Gold but after this I can't imagine spending that much on any of the other variations.

 

I have seen all three bottles, but could not pull the trigger. Thats expensive bottles! And English Barleywines are my favorite style.

 

For anyone going by the listed style... Xyauyu is not really a barleywine. It probably has more in common with the English barleywine style than any other available beer style, but it's a really unique product that's more sherry-like than anything else.

I've had the copper and silver, but not the gold or XFume. For anyone who's actually tried the copper/silver/gold side-by-side -- were the differences pronounced?

Also, does anyone know what the deal with the 30 E Lode is? The descriptions (and bottle appearance) sound like a Xyauyu variant: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1675/49231

 

Just so. The beer doesn't come in contact with oak.

 

Understood, but you'd expect some mulchy qualities from oxidized beer.

 

I just had to bump this.

Finally decided to drop the $7 on a 1.5oz pour Saturday for the 2004 Bronze. I have to say, it was fantastic. So different, so much going on. It transcended beer in my opinion. I am now disappointed I didn't buy the bottle when I came across it.

 

I have only tried Copper (at a tasting) and at the retail prices for the other ones, it looks like I won't be trying the others anytime soon.