Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

Made it out to the Commander release yesterday.

Lift Bridge - Commander 25 year. Assuming that refers to the barrel but didn’t see a description anywhere. Nice and rich and thick.

Also gave the Piña colada and old fashioned versions a go…

Not that there was really any visible difference. PC version tasted different for about a sip, OF flavors hung around a little stronger. Had to leave before they tapped into other barrels they had ready to go.

 

Dear Lord, this is glorious!Mystery beer from @CarolinaCardinals
Sent in the Barleywine/Stout Big #1
Going to post in NBW



Virtue of Patience by Burial
Deep mahogany colour.
Khaki head starts fluffy and drops of to a thin ring.
Nose definitely presents as barleywine. First off, a decadent melange of date, toffee, burnt brown sugar, and maybe a hint of whiskey barrel.
Flavor is warm, definitely sweet in the expected way for a barleywine. Again, dates, fig, toffee, charred caramel, hints of fruit that go in a mildly boozy direction: apple, apple brandy, and Bourbon.
Mouthfeel is on the slightly heftier side for a barleywine, but oh so good.

 

2022. Anyone seen 2023 third coast old ale yet? Growing concerned. But for now, perfection.

 

We get plenty of Bells stuff now, but I haven't seen this in a while

 

Untapped says Bell’s is no longer producing third coast old ale…

 

2022 is still active. every other year says no longer in production. when 2023 gets released then maybe 2022 will say no longer in production?

 

Maybe and hopefully? Bell’s hasn’t labelled it Retired so maybe I’m being antsy or they switched up its normal release schedule. But the usual signs by now are all missing.

 

Doesn't look good for it this year. Bell's posted the following comment on the Facebook last week when someone was inquiring about the beer.

Thanks for being such a fan! Over the years beers come and go, and it was not released this season.

 

Thanks for confirming this awful news!
Now I’m mad about the sale of Bell’s.

 

Perhaps they brewed the beer this year but are putting it all in barrels for a big BA Third Coast Old Ale release next year? #yeahlikelyno

 

another delicious beer from @Braunmeister_1943

foeder-aged american barleywine

really tasty. very drinkable. hitting the spot. cheers!

 

How sweet is Archaeometry from Bottle Logic? Considering pulling the trigger

 

Nice! I stumbled upon that last year, bought a 4 pack , tried one, and immediately went back and bought the rest!

 

My first tavour box is going on day 20 of shipping. I’m apprehensive about punting any more money into this current one. I think I’ll finally uninstall for real now and maybe only use it once a year for Revolution Deep Wood stuff

 

Last night’s choice:

Indeed - Old Breed. Rich caramel and bourbon. So good.

Hopefully it doesn’t go the route of Rum King and come back in bombers at over twice the price.

 

So, finally following up with my tasting group's experience with evaluating the 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2022 Bigfoots. Additionally, a couple of us contributed 2023 Bigfeet as an additional beer for consideration.

Unfortunately, we had way too many people involved in the tasting which included wine lovers, hop haters, and just inexperienced palates. Additionally, there was the travesty of "pre-gaming" with a few beers being shared before the Main Event, and then there was a good amount of food that most of us partook in during the tasting. Needless the say due to palates being skewed i believe results were skewed. I demand a recount!

I think there was a total of 18 peeps involved in tasting and the consolidated results were:
1 - 2017
2 - 2014
3 - 2022
4 - 2016
5 - 2023

One comment that was noted that a decent amount of people got an acidic/hop burn in the back of the throat with the 2014. 2017 was loved by a fair number as most of the Resin was gone and it left a Grapefruit forward hop flavor profile. 2022 was surprisingly balanced for being such a young vintage. 2016 was found to be unpleasant by a handful of folks though i had it rated 2nd personally behind 2017. I would have expected 2014 to be the best personally but i made an error in pre-gaming leading to a skewed palate and found it to be a Resin bomb...hence i declare a mistrial!

Overall a fun event as i live in a 'hood full of fun-loving old farts!
Cheers!
Tom

P.S. Our wonderful organizer Gary contributed a couple of Bigfoot Trip in the Woods from his Beer Cave. Those would have been the winner if officially part of the tasting LOL! And we did have some music accompaniment by our beer-tasting friend and wonderful musician and engineer Ron. He unwittingly recorded a song called "Party for Bigfoot"