Excellent Brews
 

So, I'm trying to try new(to me) brews, here's what I've found...

Bear Repulic Racer 5 IPA... Excellent IPA, not over done, very tasty

Rubicon Brewing IPA... Same as above, maybe better, a pleasant surprise

Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine...Very smooth, just a touch of alchohol taste

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barley Wine...Excellent,well balanced, maybe a little on the sweet side

Russian River Pliney the Elder IIPA... To date this is the best beer I have ever had, one sip and I was hooked. The aroma alone was intoxicating. I can't say enough good things about it.

Give these a try if their available to you.

I'm obviously on an IPA..Barleywine kick:mug: I know there's a lot more out there, but I thought I'd share. These beers are also an inspiration to take my brewing to a new level.

If you can, find yourself a bottle of the Ballast Point Dorado IIPA. there should still be some fresh enough to be great somewhere in CA. And Sculpin is coming out again soon.

Really? I thought Bigfoot was really hoppy. Not bad, necessarily, though I do much prefer an English Barleywine. I haven't had Stone's, but I assume it's also pretty hoppy.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out

Yeah, I thought they were both really well balanced. Bigfoot seems to be a touch on the Hoppier side than Old Guardian, but neither one had that big hop presence that an IIPA would have.

What English Barleywine's should I look for? I'd love to do some comparison's.

:mug:

I love doing research and development!

Find some Green Flash West Coast IPA (judging by you getting Pliny, you must be on the left coast). I love Bear Republic. I wish I could get my hands on Pliny. If you are really a hop head try out Dogfish Head and Stone Ruination.

I've been asking around about DFH, and I hear the only place to get it is down in Sacramento, I'll have to go to their website and see what their distribution is. Ruination is awesome, I have yet to drink a Stone Brew that I haven't liked.

The best DFH I had was their 75 minute IPA simulcask event. MMMM They took 90 minute and 60 minute, mixed them together with new yeast, and maple syrup in a cask. The casks were opened all over the East Coast at the same time. Their barleywine is fabulous too. The 120 minute is a six pack in a bottle, which is good since it will run you $10+ a 12 ouncer.

Bigfoot Barleywine rocks my world every year since 2007. Still have 4 2008 bottles left and I just picked up another 6 pack of 09 today.