Best Chicago barleywines

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by GuyFawkes, Feb 3, 2018.

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  1. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Although the days are still very "summer", the mornings & evenings have started to shift towards fall.

    I'm no "seasonal drinking" stickler, as I was quaffing imperial stouts recently on a super hot summer evening, but I when I smell that autumnal note in the air, I can't help but think...barleywine season.

    I'm such a huge Straight Jacket fan, and after seeing what an improvement adding a bit of VSOJ to Straight Jacket made, I can easily say that the VSOJ release is officially a holiday on my calendar.

    See you savages in line.
     
    #41 GuyFawkes, Aug 24, 2018
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  2. Quilentro

    Quilentro Maven (1,398) May 12, 2017 Illinois
    Trader

    We gonna do this barleywine is life - IL chapter super share this fall/winter or what?
     
    #42 Quilentro, Aug 24, 2018
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  3. capnmike

    capnmike Zealot (670) Dec 6, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    Curiosity got the best of me...

    [​IMG]

    I think this is old stock because it says brewed in Zion, IL.

    I had pretty low expectations, based on comments..... and I don’t love the 750 format....but I’m not disappointed I bought it.

    It is rather more fruity than toffee, which is just as described, but overall, pretty good.
     
    #43 capnmike, Aug 26, 2018
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  4. Egotist

    Egotist Zealot (708) Feb 19, 2011 Illinois
    Trader

    I'm sure I'm forgetting some but:

    1) VSOJ
    2) Straight Jacket
    3) BCBBW
    4) BA Murderous (don't bother with the non ba)
    5) BA Behemoth
     
    #44 Egotist, Sep 12, 2018
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  5. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dusting off my sad little thread to say that 2001 J.W. Lees Harvest Ale bottles seem to be showing up around Binny's lately...and they taste divine. If you like the English style, it doesn't really get any better than this.
     
    #45 GuyFawkes, Jun 19, 2019
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  6. ShawnoftheD3ad

    ShawnoftheD3ad Savant (1,078) Mar 20, 2016 Illinois
    Trader

    Got one the other day. Saving it for the 4th.
     
    #46 ShawnoftheD3ad, Jun 19, 2019
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  7. nw2571

    nw2571 Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2017 Indiana

    Does Lagunitas count as Chicago? Olde Gnarlywine is good, but more hoppy (American style)

    If you get Upland stuff over there, Barrel Chested Barleywine is an American style BA BW that I enjoy.

    Third Coast from Bell's also very good.
     
    #47 nw2571, Jun 19, 2019
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  8. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love Third Coast but NEVER see it on shelves in Chicago.
     
    #48 GuyFawkes, Jun 19, 2019
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  9. CaptainFleeker

    CaptainFleeker Initiate (0) Aug 27, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    Totally agree. Fortunately I find myself in Kzoo numerous times throughout the year for family and pick up a couple of six packs to last me til my next visit. Solid beer though.
     
    #49 CaptainFleeker, Jun 19, 2019
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  10. Wolvmar

    Wolvmar Initiate (0) Jul 2, 2014 Michigan
    Trader

    Third Coast and Straight Jacket are definite favorites for me. Glad Revolution cans are available in the Detroit area these days.
     
    #50 Wolvmar, Jun 19, 2019
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  11. PhilBallins

    PhilBallins Savant (1,173) Nov 29, 2016 Illinois

    Like... 18 years ago 2001?
     
    #51 PhilBallins, Jun 19, 2019
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  12. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yep!!!
     
    #52 GuyFawkes, Jun 19, 2019
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  13. PhilBallins

    PhilBallins Savant (1,173) Nov 29, 2016 Illinois

    I gotta try that shit
     
    #53 PhilBallins, Jun 19, 2019
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  14. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Liquid. Gold.
     
    #54 GuyFawkes, Jun 19, 2019
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  15. flat_lander

    flat_lander Pooh-Bah (2,490) May 11, 2016 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    What's one of these run? I'd like to find one down here, but not sure that's gonna happen. I'll have to ask...

    Now that you mention it, I don't think we saw Third Coast either. I did go out to dinner with the family one night back in the spring and the place surprisingly had BBA Third Coast on. It was very good.
     
    #55 flat_lander, Jun 19, 2019
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  16. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    $11...and they are small bottles (10oz maybe?).

    Certainly not cheap, but again, if the English barleywine style is up your alley you won't regret it.

    I've bought 3 already...every time I finish one, my immediate thought is "Yep, buying another one".
     
    #56 GuyFawkes, Jun 19, 2019
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  17. beardown2489

    beardown2489 Pooh-Bah (1,966) Oct 5, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    Recently saw a bunch of new arrivals to a bottle shop in Asheville. They had tons of ‘05-‘10 bottles.

    Surprised to hear about ‘01 bottles just hitting market, but to be honest JW is, for the most part, worth the money. Only been burned on 2 bottles ever.

    Especially for traditional folks who want things done the proper way. It won’t be as decadent as some of the insane American styles, but the way JW builds these beers is what makes them last. It’s as traditional as Barleywine gets.
     
    #57 beardown2489, Jun 21, 2019
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  18. FBarber

    FBarber Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,325) Mar 5, 2016 Illinois
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    They're definitely around down by you. Friar Tucks and Binnys get them. Also, if you want an English import thats a bit cheaper, Tally-Ho is a nice English barleywine and runs ~$4 a bottle.
     
    #58 FBarber, Jun 21, 2019
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  19. flat_lander

    flat_lander Pooh-Bah (2,490) May 11, 2016 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well then. Just so happens I'm going "furniture shopping" right across the street here shortly.
     
    #59 flat_lander, Jun 21, 2019
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  20. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Not familiar with that one, are they usually at Binny's as well?
     
    #60 GuyFawkes, Jun 21, 2019
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