Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2024)

A rare local barleywine! Old Evil from Ever Grain, aged in bourbon and cognac barrels.



Last year's Mistress of Evil set the bar pretty high and this doesn't disappoint. Neither the booze nor the sweetness are at all shy here. The barrel blend works extremely well, both the sweet jamminess and smooth, vanilla-y brown liquor are wonderful accents to the figgy raisins, toffee, and brown sugar. This is a great one priced right. This drinks waaaaay too easy for 15%! This can is disappearing fast...

Sorry for the bad luck yesterday @Beersnake I'll make sure one of these gets out to you.

 

Beer & Beverage Shoppe?

 

How'd you guess?

 

Finishing up 2024 with this one. Also lands as my 3500th review on Beer Advocate.

Booze is thick on this one, almost to unbearable levels when it's fridge temp. As it warms, it smooths out considerably. Smells and tastes like bourbon booze soaked dark fruits and molasses.



Anchorage's A Deal with the Devil (2020)

 

J. W. Lees Harvest Ale Autumn Limited Edition - 2015


4.19/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Autumn limited edition 2015 purchased at Fort Point market & liquor in the Boston seaport area

Chilled 8.4 oz can , poured into a pretentious beer glass, orange brownish liquid with a pencil thick taupe layer

Brewers notes: Our limited edition vintage barley wine is made but once a year. It's brewed with the first hops to be harvested, and then we add the very finest British malt. Each vintage brings different flavours, which then evolve as they age, so it's no wonder it's gained a cult following among ale enthusiasts. Pop the date in your calendar.

The name "British-style Barleywine" [more commonly referred to as "English"] represents a group of strong ales that rival the strength and complexity of some of the world’s most celebrated beverages. This brawny, malt-forward beer style is often one of the strongest beer styles on any given beer menu, and showcases a complex melange of toffee and fruit flavors counterbalanced by warming alcohol and sturdy hop bitterness. The Barleywine beer style is a sipper, enjoyed responsibly, stylishly—preferably in front of a fire in a comfy chair amongst a plethora of leather-bound books.

Aroma is bourbon, molasses, toffee

Taste is bourbon, molasses, raisins, figs, umami, toffee, tangerine peel

Medium sudsing , boozy, feel the alcohol but not the heat

Good beer, definitely a sipper. Should be enjoyed in front of a blazing wood fueled fire with a pipe of tobacco. The butler , Jeeves, should also have your slippers and smoking jacket nearby. Cheerio mate!

 

3500! Epic!

 

Last beer of the year, an all-time favorite.



So many layers to this...a near perfect sweet treat. Happy New Year's barleywinos!

 

Congrats! Great beer and great stats / feat!!
Always enjoy hike thoughtful and through reviews. Cheers & happy new year!

 

An all-time classic! Cheers!!

 

That means a lot! Especially lately, when I haven't felt quite as sharp or articulate.

Here's to 2025, enjoying some more good beers, and learning!