Sebago Brewing Single Batch Barleywine

Best under the radar beer of the last year IMO. It's not far off of from the heavyweights, and for a sub-$10 bottle, it's the best value going.

Unfortunately it came out in late 2011, so you're a little late to stock up. It may still be poking around here and there in Maine, but it's not going to be easy to find. I'm not sure if MA has ever gotten the Sebago single batch series - if so, I don't think I've ever seen any of them, and they're not something that comes and goes quickly, so I tend to think we just don't get it.

 

Would love to try some...
I can get Flower Power quite readily what will it take ?

 

probably not flower power... i bought tons of sebago BB barleywine when it was available, and i can also get flower power.

this beer was an amazing under the radar beer, but the well is dry. lucky you if you find some on the shelf, but not much left really. at this point, i don't think people would trade it for things they could get relatively readily, since you can't get this anymore *and it's delicious*. if i had any, i wouldn't trade it, i'd drink it (though i extra'd a bunch when it was plentiful... i drank more, though).

 

Sebago flies under the radar in general, they brew some really good beers. The standard lineup is great, but their single batch series has yielded some fantastic stuff. Barleywine, Grand Crüe, and Hop Swap IPA among others are excellent beers. I always look forward to trying anything new that they come up with.

 

It might be worth emailing or calling the brewery. I saw in late June that they're not making any this year and ended up emailing them, then driving an hour up to the brewery and picking up a case. They still had a few cases left and still might have some, so it might be worth a shot to check with them and drive up to the brewery if that is possible. It might be a hassle to drive a couple hours, but everyone I dealt with was incredibly gracious and helpful if that counts for much. Allagash and Maine Beer Co are also right nearby. I had also heard that some stores around Portland had Single Batch Barleywine in stock still, but haven't seen anywhere south of Portland for quite a while.

 

They have released it twice, towards the end of the year if I remember correctly. I have no idea if they will release again, but it would be in a couple months if they do.

 

I haven't seen any bottles in any stores for a long time. If I did, they wouldn't be there anymore since I'd buy them all up haha. Certainly one of my favorite barleywines, unfortunately I only got a couple bottles this last go around but had it plenty of times on-tap. The latest batch had been aged in barrels for 8 months I believe, so if they plan on making it again it might not be awhile unless they're secretly aging it.

 

I think the first release was a completely different beer though. Not sure why it didn't get a new entry, as I believe it went from 9% to 12.5%.

 

They're not bad at all. I don't know why they get pooped on so much in the reviews. In general, most of their beers seem to be a good .25 point underrated. Most of their lineup doesn't set the world on fire, but it is solid. That said, the Single Batch Barleywine is a class unto itself.

 

Sebago left MA at least a year ago, which is too bad. They always had solid stuff.

 

I just had it on tap tonight...twice...at the GCB in Providence. Get some, fast. INCREDIBLE. This was also immediately after sharing a bottle of Sucaba at Julian's....and the Sebago held its own, no problem whatsoever.

 

You're correct, they were different but equally tasty. The 2nd batch was also barrel aged whereas the first one wasn't.

 

Woodford Reserve barrels ftw!

 

I have one bottle left id be willing to trade if anyone really wants it.

 

I got one case and it disappeared in two days. Good for Sebago, too bad for us.

 

Pretty sure every bottle that has been sold was the BA version. I do remember a regular version just on tap before the bottles were released though...

 

Guys we sent 40 BBLS to the Woodford Reserve Barrels a few weeks ago. It will return next year after aging for at least 9 months. We brewed a Small beer from the last runnings and fermented it with Ringwood with a huge D-Rest. Dry hopped with a mini bale of EKGoldings. Really fun beer with a really fun story considering most of the brewers and I came from Sea Dog, Woodstock & Dogfish. Please give it a try its on tap now. http://bit.ly/TCt0rd the barleywine is gone.

 

Video here. http://vimeo.com/user5974865/biggiesmallsbrew

 

Any have updated info on a new bottling of this?