Where to start with Barley Wine.

It's an incredible style. Challenging for the palate, intense and strong. The Zeus of beers. American and English styles are very different, both amazing (let's forget about blonde versions for now).

Try Sucaba if you can, a good starting point. British in style. Bigfoot easier to find, classic American with a strong hop profile, amazing. It's a launchpad.

 

The sweet ones are English Barleywines, try some American Barleywines. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/19/

 

Bigfoot is a decent entry, especially if you think barleywines are generally too sweet for you, but, personally, I find that one to be too bitter. Mirror Mirror is outstanding, if expensive, as are any of the J.W. Lees 11.2 oz bottles (though, those are very sweet).

Honestly, this isn't labeled or listed as a barleywine, but Uinta Detour is a delicious malt bomb of a DIPA that feels right at home described as a lower ABV (9.5) American Barleywine. I recommend that to try, and if you get the chance, snag a bottle of J.W. Lees Harvest Ale, just to see what the very sweet English style can taste like when perfected (there's a LOT going on in that one beyond simple sweetness).

 

Old Numbskull,Old Guardian,FW DDBA,Arctic Devil,Bigfoot,Mirror Mirror,Old Horizontal..all real good

 

Interesting thought -- I'd heard people say barleywine and old ale are near-interchangeable styles before, but haven't seen the same thing said about wee heavy/Scotch ale and barleywine. I really liked Founders' Dirty Bastard when I grabbed a single bottle to try a while back, though. Maybe I should finally get around to trying an old ale or barleywine in the not-too-distant future.

 

Real Ale Sisyphus if you can get it there is excellent! It was my first one! Will always be my favorite!

 

If you get Deschutes where you live, seek out Mirror Mirror. Because they do barrel aging in a different and unique way, it's not as sweet as Sucaba or The Mother of All Storms, but still has all the malty goodness an English barleywine should. It's familiar enough to win over fans of the style, but different enough to find new converts. I'm not the hugest fan of barleywines, but it's still one of their best beers.

 

nor most of the world...

 

was wondering how this classic took so long to be mentioned...

 

East End Gratitude, Bruery Mash, Bourbon County Barley Wine, Jackie O's Brick Kiln, Bravery Bath #100 in bourbon or brandy barrels, & Clown Shoes Pierre Ferrand Billionaire if you do not like any of these you're not into the style.

 

Start with an English Barleywine.