Barleywine

I rarely order it at a bar mostly because of the often very high ABV, knowing I usually have to drive home. I'd rather have a couple moderate level ABV beers spaced out instead. Barleywines are usually an at-home experience for me.

 

A lot of good Barley Wines mentioned already. If you can still find it, Brooklyn's Hand and Seal was a very pleasant surprise. Delicious.

 

Haven't had Brooklyn Hand and Seal. Is a seasonal? What format 750, 12oz? Amy sightings around Boston?

 

It's one of their quarterly experimental beers. It's delivered in a 750 format. I bought two at Redstones in Stoneham. Not sure if they still have it in stock but it should be available at some bottle shops around Boston.

 

I haven't had many, as you said, it's not a popular style. But Sucaba is far and away my favorite, annual release in March I believe. Bourbon County Barleywine, and Pretty Things Our Finest Regards are also top notch. For the price Uinta Anniversary Barleywine, and Bigfoot are excellent options.

 

It is definitely on the American side, but I had one a month ago and the hops are starting to mellow. Kinda tastes like Undercover investigation to me with another point worth of booze hidden in there.

 

why would you think barely wines would sell and not porters?

 

Brown Sugga is not even close to a barley wine. They were trying to make a barely wine when they brewed it according to the label, but the screwed up. It is a tasty mistake, but definitely not a barely wine.

 

Get yourself over to Cambridge Brewing Company. And make sure you have a designated driver with you. I don't remember how I got to the T or the train ride home after an evening of drinking barley wines at CBC.

 

This.

Also eagerly awaiting '15 Bigfoot, almost there!

 

Does anyone know when Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is typically released?

 

Great Divide Old Ruffian
Alesmith Ol Numbskull
Pretty Things Our Finest Regards
Uinta "Crooked Line" Cockeyed Cooper BABW
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot
Smuttynose Barleywine
Weyerbacher Insanity

 

Believe it's a late January release, but I usually can't find it until early Feb. It's easy to find once out.

 

Thomas Hooker Old Marley. Not distributed outside CT but anyone in the state can get their hands on this at the brewery and some stores. They don't do a lot of styles great, but their barleywine is fantastic. As is their doppelbock, but that's another thread.

 

Super-locally to Boston, Enlightenment Lord Mantis was one of the best barleywines I've had the pleasure of drinking recently. Big stone fruits and toffee up front, but a pleasantly dry, almost farmhouse-y finish.

 

Hog Heaven from Avery, Old Numbskull, Bigfoot, Hand & Seal, Fathead (aged in Whiskey Barrels) from Nebraska Brewing (found this in Salem at Quality Liquors), Lower De Boom from 21st Amendment, Hesperus from Rising Tide was ok, Holidale from BBC is awesome grab the 2012 version I find them everywhere, 2013-14 have more chocolate and less hops.

I also think that Arrogant Bastard could be an extreme American Barleywine with more bitterness than the style usually has.

 

Heh, definitely not a BW but found out that "aged" Harpoon Leviathan IIPA could be a good barleywine substitute in a pinch. My non-craft drinking mom bought me some with a best by date of 9/15/14 (probably bottled in March). It was a real nice sweeter malty beer with the grapefruit hop bitterness faded in the background. Much better than their Bronze King BW for sure.

 

It needs some aging; pretty raw off the shelf, much nicer after 6-12 months in your cellar.