Barleywine Connundrum

Old Foghorn. I drink that beer so much. Its an amazing malt bomb. There also will be no confusion between it and an IPA. Definitely try to drink the more traditional examples of both english and american barley wine. The BA versions, though wonderful, are a style within themselves and won't help you really understand the style.

 

The difference is not in the ingredients, but the process. To me, the BW style is characterized by a large simple grist bill with LONG BOIL maillard characteristics and a hop bill to balance. I like the American BW characteristics which include substantial late-boil additions for hop flavor and aroma. Yes, the same ingredients can produce a iipa. But it is the process that makes the difference, a beer that lends itself to aging, not the bright flavors that beg to be drank fresh.

 

I have to say I love both Bigfoot and Old Foghorn, though they are very different beers. Two proper American classics, representing all that is great about American brewing. I still have a Bigfoot from 2008 (when it was last widely available in this country) and I bet it's still really hoppy. You just don't see it nowadays. Should I try it?

 

Did a 5 year vertical with a buddy not that long ago, and I liked it about a year old, or 5 years old. The farthest we had back was 2008, and it was drinking very very nicely. I think 2008 was the first year for SN to have pry off caps (not twist offs) so I would expect that to be absolutely perfectly aged

 

Best I've ever had to date!

Cheers!

 

Don't judge a really good American Barleywine with SN Bigfoot Ale as your example. It got there mostly because it is readily available. A few years back is when the receipe change to mostly tasting like a DIPA. Some very tasty one's that I've had: Pelican Mother of All Storms, AleSmith Old Numbskull, Victory Old Horizontal, Uinta Anniversary Barleywine, Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale 2006 - 2010, there are a few other's that are also very tasty.

Cheers!