Barleywine Appreciation Thread (2025)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by Beersnake, Jan 1, 2025.

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  1. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sam Adams Utopias American Strong Ale, 28% ABV. Per the OP, Strong Ales are welcome in this thread, and beers don't get much stronger than this.

    [​IMG]
     
    #101 bbtkd, Jan 20, 2025
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  2. Beersnake

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

    Niiiiice! I will bite the bullet at some point and buy one of those!
     
    #102 Beersnake, Jan 20, 2025
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  3. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Browar Fortuna--Komes Barleywine
    Barleywine
    ABV: 12%; pouring temperature: 39.0 °F; bottling info: Lot number 57 / 44 / 22 / 1
    Source: local purchase

    [​IMG]

    3.41/5 rDev -15.6%
    look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

    Murky appearance, orange and brown hue, opaque in glass; thin, light tan head, lasting. Dry, raw oak upon first whiff, more robust caramel and toffee scent as the beer warms. Warm caramel with a whiskey-like booziness taste; muted dark, dried fruits. Heavy mouthfeel; sticky feel on the palate; a rather harsh and dry alcohol bite.

    I can't get excited about this barleywine, there are too many flaws. I was hoping for more character development as the beer warmed, yet in the end, the taste was just too aggressive with its alcohol presence. Add that to weak looks and a hot feel, it just doesn't satisfy.
     
    #103 beergoot, Jan 20, 2025
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  4. Luscious_Malfoy

    Luscious_Malfoy Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,068) Oct 5, 2016 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    Firestone Walker / Revolution - Oakpocalypse Now

    I love the smell of b-wizzle in the morning!
     
    #104 Luscious_Malfoy, Jan 21, 2025
    ovaltine, CarolinaCardinals, jmdrpi and 11 others like this.
  5. DIM

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

    You absolutely should, and some Baladin Xyauyu as well!
     
    #105 DIM, Jan 21, 2025
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  6. DIM

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

    I've been enjoying the hell out of those!
     
    #106 DIM, Jan 21, 2025
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  7. brewskis

    brewskis Grand Pooh-Bah (3,883) Jun 8, 2012 Indiana
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    First time posting on this year’s thread. I need to increase my barleywine intake!

    Revolution/Binnys VSOR (Very Special Old Ryeway) Select. Ryewine aged in selected rye and bourbon barrels by Binnys Beverage Depot for 2 years. Sugar Daddies, rich caramel, maple, rye spice, brown sugar, big boxed raisin, fig, oak tannin, bourbon and rye whiskey, vanillin, leather. A year of age has seemed to temper some of the sweetness that it had fresh. Top tier base ryewine and utilization of barrels. Revolution's barrel program is stupid good.
    [​IMG]
     
    #107 brewskis, Jan 21, 2025
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  8. DIM

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

    Been a tiring (the good kind) couple of days and I get to sleep in tomorrow.

    [​IMG]

    This is a great one and one of the best bargains in the realm of barrel aged barleywine. I love all the layers of sweetness here. Getting a nice marshmallow note I hadn't noticed before. Cheers @Spade !
     
    #108 DIM, Jan 21, 2025
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  9. Beersnake

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

    Beyond Oblivion from Obelisk in Oregon. English style Barleywine brewed with English and German malt, and lightly hopped with Motueka. 12.7% ABV.

    Poured at fridge temp. Pours a very dark brown within minimal head. The nose is toffee, malts, wet grass, and figs.

    The taste is glorious. Beautiful notes of toffee, figs, plums, raisins, oak, sweet candy, a touch of maple, and tons of bready malts. Super smooth an nicely integrated. Not too overwhelming - the 12.7% is barely noticeable.

    Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a nice toffee aftertaste. Would definitely buy again.

    [​IMG]
     
    #109 Beersnake, Jan 21, 2025
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  10. Beersnake

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

    #110 Beersnake, Jan 21, 2025
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  11. Beersnake

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

    #111 Beersnake, Jan 21, 2025
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  12. FRANKHAZE

    FRANKHAZE Pooh-Bah (2,188) Aug 24, 2021 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Mcilhenney - BBA Malthead Mayhem - This BW is tasting just as great as one their highly acclaimed IPAs.
    [​IMG]
     
    #112 FRANKHAZE, Jan 21, 2025
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  13. Spade

    Spade Pooh-Bah (2,568) Mar 27, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Took about 2 hours to finish that can; I wanted to see how it changed and it sure did. Marshmallow sounds about right. And I don't recall ever having cognac so I'm not entirely sure what I was tasting. Just know it was really flippin' good.
     
    #113 Spade, Jan 21, 2025
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  14. VodkaPong87

    VodkaPong87 Pooh-Bah (2,060) Oct 9, 2020 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've got the one you sent me in the fridge ready to go. Was thinking of aging it, but the reviews have been stellar so I can't wait
     
    #114 VodkaPong87, Jan 21, 2025
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  15. FRANKHAZE

    FRANKHAZE Pooh-Bah (2,188) Aug 24, 2021 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Boulevard - 35th Anniversary Ale - This beer is a bit light-bodied but smooooth as hell. It brings nice subtle caramel, dried fruit, toffee flavors. Pretty decent barleywine blend.
    [​IMG]
     
    #115 FRANKHAZE, Jan 22, 2025
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  16. Beersnake

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

    Under Every Deep, A Lower Deep Opens from Burke-Gilman Brewing in Seattle. English barleywine aged in Willett bourbon barrels. 12.2% ABV. Thanks to Ryan (@snaotheus ) for helping me get this!

    The nose is fantastic. Dark fruit, molasses, figs, dates, toffee, bourbon, and vanilla.

    The taste is soooo good. The barrels hits a bit harder here, and it's great. Wonderful flavors of vanilla ice cream, toffee, bourbon, figs, maple, cinnamon bun, slight walnut taste, and some oak. Slight bitterness comes through, but the sweetness dominates. It's not even close to being too sweet - just a perfect level.

    Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a wonderful bourbon-soaked toffee aftertaste. Lovely beer.

    [​IMG]
     
    #116 Beersnake, Jan 24, 2025
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  17. BlameHouston

    BlameHouston Savant (1,190) Aug 21, 2020 California

    barleywine
    just got home from santa ana river brewing where owner/operater jeff gifted me, i shared amongst amigos this solid british style, aged for over 3yrs anniversary 15% bottle from
    BREWHEIM
    :slight_smile:
     
    #117 BlameHouston, Jan 24, 2025
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  18. DIM

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

    I love the extra oak, leather, and tobacco from from extra Barrel time, that one sounds amazing.
     
    #118 DIM, Jan 24, 2025
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  19. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]

    Greenport Harbor Triton

    This is being sold as an English-style barley wine (on the label), but it's classified in the usual online places as "American." I couldn't say if this indicates a recipe shift, style blur, style confusion, or a marketing shift. I can't even really remember if I've had this one years in the past or not. Regardless, it's not bringing me joy. It tastes of raisin and dates, but mildly so. There's a strange fermentation character. The whole package feels uninspired... which is strange because if a brewer today releases 4 packs of a non-barrel-aged and non-flavored "English-style" barleywine in bottles, one would expect there to be some evident inspiration behind it or some passion that comes through. Why release such a beer otherwise? It's strange... but maybe I just don't get it. I'm happy I tried the beer but not happy with spending the money on a pricey 4 pack to do so.
     
    #119 zid, Jan 24, 2025
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  20. Beersnake

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

    I hate when I buy a 4-pack out of excitement and then realize it's not the best beer. The final 3 bottles are always a struggle. I can definitely change the style to "English".
     
    #120 Beersnake, Jan 25, 2025
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