Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2023)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by DIM, Jan 1, 2023.

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  1. DIM

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

    Gerste wein aus Deutschland, danke bier schlange!

    [​IMG]

    Canned about a year ago. This is a remarkably pale barley wine, it poured with a short lived fizzy head. Leans to the sweeter side, lots of short bread, sugar cookies, honey, orange marmalade, plum pudding, and toffee. The finish dries out nicely, hints of stone fruit and light, grassy bitterness. More English strong ale than barleywine maybe, but I am thoroughly enjoying this, thanks @Beersnake1
     
    #121 DIM, Jan 15, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2023
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  2. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Blonde Barleywine is the latest marketing gimmick. There's no such thing. White/Golden/Blonde Stout is another one. AND...10% hazy IPA is not a TIPA. :grimacing:
     
    #122 BMBCLT, Jan 15, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2023
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  3. DIM

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

    I think the barleywine style is more forgiving of color variations than stout. I've loved some incredibly dark ones as well as some paler ones. Helldorado, for instance, is a golden beaut that has been around for over a decade and it's amazing. I agree though, pale stout is oxymoronic.
     
    #123 DIM, Jan 15, 2023
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  4. Hilltopper

    Hilltopper Aspirant (290) Jul 17, 2005 Connecticut

    #124 Hilltopper, Jan 16, 2023
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  5. Beersnake

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

    Glad you enjoyed it! I thought it was a nice easy-drinking BW. I definitely see your point about it leaning towards an English strong ale. Cheers!
     
    #125 Beersnake, Jan 16, 2023
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  6. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Yeah, I very much enjoyed the two bottles of the 2019 release I've drank, the bottle I received via mail order from HotD and reviewed in September 2021, and then again one drank during my pilgrimage to the brewery before they closed in April 2022.
     
    #126 jmdrpi, Jan 16, 2023
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  7. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    tonight Im sampling another barleywine. this is Smog City Bourbon Barrel OE 2022 vintage. Courtesy of @Resistance88 . Ive definitely been on more of a barleywine kick than imperial stout for 2023 so far. But no real reason for it. This 2022 vintage is a 500 ml bottle 13.9% and has been in my cellar since I received it.

    onto my (abbreviated review):
    [​IMG]
    the beer pours a clear chestnut color and is a little darker as it rests in my glass.
    A dense beige head of 1cm foams up and fades to a sturdy edge layer. This edging stays around throughout the sampling.
    Aroma is rich with brown sugar and bourbon and huge right after I pop the cap. Big robust aroma on this one, definitely malt centric. No real hop aroma and the booze is hidden as the bourbon notes are sweeter, not fusol.
    First sip reveals a medium body with soft silky texture and fine rolling carbonation The beer drinks very easy based on its physical traits.
    Flavor is sweet malts, brown sugar, toffee and bourbon again. I do get a little butterscotch and some lingering toffee (werthers note) hops are absent and the booze is well hidden with no peppery bite and only a little warming after the swallow.
    This is a great barleywine ive had two vintages now and would love to drink this one again. Highly recommended if you like malt forward barleywines with hidden booze!
     
    #127 sulldaddy, Jan 16, 2023
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  8. Resistance88

    Resistance88 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,462) Apr 9, 2015 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This was a brewery only release hence the silver wax.Not the standard BOE which is red wax. This was Single Barrel Aged in Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Barrels.
     
    #128 Resistance88, Jan 16, 2023
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  9. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thank you! I totally spaced on the special release part and need to drop this review on the right place on brewery listing here.
    Super good beer!
     
    #129 sulldaddy, Jan 16, 2023
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  10. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've got one of these for you. Just waiting for the Rev release this month to put the box together.
     
    #130 FBarber, Jan 16, 2023
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  11. DIM

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

    :slight_smile:
     
    #131 DIM, Jan 16, 2023
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  12. Giovannilucano

    Giovannilucano Pooh-Bah (1,975) Feb 24, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I REALLY love barleywine but I have not been able to find any breweries locally or even Bigfoot coming to the stores that i frequent. It is really strange to sell this style not represented enough....
     
    #132 Giovannilucano, Jan 16, 2023
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  13. DIM

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

    Yeah that seems to be the problem for everybody outside of the West coast. Between mail order and trades I've managed to keep my itch scratched. Are you far from kane? They haven't released one in a while but when they do, there aren't many better.
     
    #133 DIM, Jan 16, 2023
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  14. Giovannilucano

    Giovannilucano Pooh-Bah (1,975) Feb 24, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yeah I am close to Philly and I do not get to the shore very often. I DO see Kane in Camden County but not too many varieties though.
     
    #134 Giovannilucano, Jan 16, 2023
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  15. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Damn, now I regret choosing the other 2 beers from Boulevard's mixed pack that this one was in, it actually sounds good! I think I was just put off by the concept
     
    #135 Rug, Jan 17, 2023
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  16. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    What an odd looking beer. I also have a 2017, looks like I should probably get to it soon
     
    #136 Rug, Jan 17, 2023
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  17. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Pretty sure it's marketed/branded as a Blonde Barleywine.
     
    #137 BMBCLT, Jan 17, 2023
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  18. Rug

    Rug Grand Pooh-Bah (3,454) Aug 20, 2018 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That makes more sense, but it is much clearer than I expected
     
    #138 Rug, Jan 17, 2023
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  19. DIM

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

    Under Water Church from Wallenpaupack Brewing. Aged 2 years in bourbon, rum, and Moscatel barrels.

    [​IMG]

    On paper this is almost my perfect barleywine. In reality, though this is quite good, something is holding it back. Maybe the Muscatel barrels, I don't get much of a vinous note, rather it's more akin to sweet grape juice. It isn't all that strong but it is distracting. The rum barrels might account for the brown sugar note and there is a little rum at the exhale. It's the bourbon barrels that are strongest and they are great, lending rich, deep booze plus a little leather and vanilla.

    Overall this dang good and I probably should have bought more than one pack.
     
    #139 DIM, Jan 18, 2023
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  20. J-legend-K

    J-legend-K Zealot (580) Feb 6, 2021 Arizona
    Trader

    [​IMG]

    The label should read: “Please enjoy mid-January 2023”

    This is it for me. Checks every box and is the epitome of the style.
     
    #140 J-legend-K, Jan 18, 2023
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