Barleywine - where to start?

Start with Dave.

 

bell's third coast old ale

 

Ill give another nod to Bigfoot. It was my first.

 

3F Behemoth. Buy 2, drink 1 now and the other in 2015.

 

I've enjoyed everything I've ever tried from Dieu Du Ciel, so I'm gonna have to try this one...

As far as JW Lees goes, I think I've only ever seen them with a few years on them. The '05-ish Harvest Ales aged on casks are a bit pricey, but highly recommended.

 

^My first, and now I'm hooked. Highly recommend.

 

Arcadia's Cereal Killer will be easy for you to find. It's a great example of the English style, and is very tasty.

 

I'm trying to get on board, and haven't really found my stride with barleywines.

First one I ever had, was Unita's Crooked Line **** Eyed Cooper. Pretty decent, but wasn't wow'd.

Sweetwater's 15th is a barleywine-ish ESB... it's close to one, but was a killer beer in my book.

I picked up some Jailhouse Hardtimes Barleywine to try soon.. I want to like BW, but just not really "getting it".

 

This was my first:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/200/16439

Took me awhile to revisit the style after that experience.

I'd start with JW Lees (English) or Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (American).

 

I would have to agree to saying "no" to Bigfoot fresh...wasn't a fan of this at all...if you have access to Sucaba or Mirror Mirror, I highly doubt you'll be disappointed...

Cheers!

 

And the ones around me are already aged 2 years, YUM!
I would recomend the avery hog heaven or the uinta cockeyed cooper if you have the chance, and Emelisse makes a damn fine english style BW as well

 

Dominion Millennium is very good

 

Just to give both sides of the coin. Bigfoot was my first, fresh. I enjoyed it very much.

Insanity and blithering idiot are very nice as well.

 

I couldn't disagree more some of the suggestions. Olde School and Sucaba for someone new to the BW world. You are throwing him into the deep end, with no floaties. Need to walk before you run. Sucaba is a treasure, but really not for everone and could destroy every BW experience after. Olde School is just a Giant BW that needs some time to mellow. Bigfoot and Old Foghorn will tell him if he likes American or English and won't break the bank. If he likes American the Old Ruffian and Old Guardian should be next. If English then Flying Dog Horne Dog or Harpoon would be a nice step. Ease into it.

 

Good point since the barleys are closely related to the old ales, stock ales, and strong ales.

 

Agreed on 3F Behemoth. I think Central Waters Y2K and even more so their bourbon barrel barleywine are very much worth a try!!! Of course, you may not be able to get CW.

 

Pretty Things Our Finest Regards is very nice.
Sebago Barleywine is worth seeking out.
I would love to find Ye Olde Chucklehead.

 

Not sure I would recommend te CW Bourbon Barrel Barleywine to a newbie, but on the other hand.... ok, sure, why not. I love it!

 

And now I'll have to grab a bottle. Glad to have the recommendation.

 

This is true in both regards...a lot to ask of a newbie, but oh so good!!!