Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2022)

I got in the barley wine mood and went for some key imports over the last few days. Started with this 17 year old Thomas Hardy's. @Rug

 

This looks like I'm watching Golden Girls annoyingly "squashed" for a 16x9 TV... but it's just a small can. This is one of my favorite beers in the world and I didn't enjoy this can. It's my first Harvest Ale can and my first 2020. I normally like this beer without much age. Harvest Ale is a bit different each year - color being a big variable... and this might be the lightest I've had. Oxidation also plays a factor with color for the old bottles. This can was not hitting the spot unfortunately.

 

Then I went for my other favorite barley wine... and this bottle wasn't doing it for me either (although the Harvest Ale was more extreme). This bottle came across as sweeter than I usually like.

 

And this brings me to today and the last of the 4 imports... and this beer was surprisingly my favorite of the bunch. No offense to Traquair, I've always loved their beer... it's just that the Thomas Hardy's was a rare treat and the other two beers are all-time favorites. But man, this particular bottle is just hitting the spot. It's so light. I think most people here wouldn't see that as a desirable quality in a barley wine, but I love when a beer like this is light on its feet and still satisfying. The char, fruit and acidity are all so well balanced. I bought this bottle from a beer graveyard and the best by date is shockingly 2029. What on earth are they using for a best by date? 10 years?

 

It was... but if you were there you'd see the comedically unvarnished picture instead. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but they might not be the most accurate ones.

Just finished my last sip of the Scotch ale and now I wish I had some more.

 

I'll just put it this way w/o getting into specifics - there are experiences when you order something and then get that thing you ordered and everyone is happy... and then there are experiences when the menu is inaccurate, the waiter also brings the wrong thing and it comes to you undercooked. This was closer to the latter. Having said that, I'm not complaining. I had a smile on my face the whole time.

 

For anyone close by Troegs has Flying Mouflan on tap per the website. Not sure if you can get any to go or not.

Post here if anyone goes.

Enjoy

 

months later I’m reading this thread, had this beer twice and wished I’d bought all the bottles in the store, I really loved this one. It’s dark but it’s not like say, nemesis wherein it’s like a cross between a hoppy barleywine and a roasty black ipa. This beer is not roasty, it’s dark, rich and sweet, and comes more out of that king Henry tradition melding a big boozy and sweet stout as a secondary component to an English style barleywine with its oxidized raisins, dates, port vibes.

 

The brewery is quite nice and the food has been good as well. I have not been there since pre covid but always enjoyed a stop. I really like the hop fries.

Enjoy

 

I was looking at this

It’s back! Our mythical Flying Mouflan is a resiny, caramel, chocolately giant of a barleywine ale. This strong and alluring beer originally took flight as Scratch #4 way back when, and we’ve since taken to aging it in bourbon barrels. This version, however, isn’t aged on wood. It’s the OG Flying Mouflan you know and love, and it’s only available on draft at the brewery for a limited time!

Sorry for any confusion.

Enjoy

 

In the vicinity of Troegs is Mount Gretna Craft Brewery, which lists a barleywine on tap. Anyone know if they fill crowlers?

 

I haven't been in that neck of the woods in years, but a while back a friend said they had a good porter. Might be worth an afternoon drive.