ITT: Barleywines

[stakem1]

More flooded cellar finds. i thought my TH stash was at a more crirical level than this. Almost 20 total bottles is about a dozen more than I thought I had.

Just put a ‘98 in the fridge to drink later cuz its 20 years old and I feel like its my duty to give it some attention since ‘98 was the 30th year of TH releases

 

[quirk6]

More flooded cellar finds. i thought my TH stash was at a more crirical level than this. Almost 20 total bottles is about a dozen more than I thought I had.

Just put a ‘98 in the fridge to drink later cuz its 20 years old and I feel like its my duty to give it some attention since ‘98 was the 30th year of TH releases

I've only had the pleasure of having Thomas Hardy's once (thanks davey101). It was phenomenal stuff. I'm pretty jealous.

 

[sacrelicio]

I've only had the pleasure of having Thomas Hardy's once (thanks davey101). It was phenomenal stuff. I'm pretty jealous.

Hardy's is so good. I have a couple small bottles left.

 

[sacrelicio]

Dbijnagte with the hookup.

 

[jmgrub]

Dbijnagte with the hookup.

Dem purps, I'm jelly

 

[sacrelicio]

Dem purps, I'm jelly

Drank a 2012 tonight, was great.

 

[IndianaJones]

2011 Churchhill. Had been holding onto this for too long, and it's unfortunately over the hill (no pun intended). I had high hopes as this was one of the first "craft" beer bottles I'd ever purchased while in Gainesville, where the collaborating brewery Swamp Head is located. I know they also BA'd this in cognac, but I think that bottle is mostly a ghost at this point.

Not sure what "oxidized" tastes like in an old barleywine, but this was reminiscent of nail polish remover, biting and lacquer-esque. Really bummed, but so it goes on saving beers, especially ones that aren't BA'd

The newest round of El Catador is apparently an "all collaboration" round, but I didn't see anything with Swamp Head listed. Was hoping they'd redo this one at some point

 

[sherm10161]

Not sure if this is actually a Barleywine but it was fantastic even after 8 years.

 

[stakem1]

2011 Churchhill. Had been holding onto this for too long, and it's unfortunately over the hill (no pun intended). I had high hopes as this was one of the first "craft" beer bottles I'd ever purchased while in Gainesville, where the collaborating brewery Swamp Head is located. I know they also BA'd this in cognac, but I think that bottle is mostly a ghost at this point.

Not sure what "oxidized" tastes like in an old barleywine, but this was reminiscent of nail polish remover, biting and lacquer-esque. Really bummed, but so it goes on saving beers, especially ones that aren't BA'd

The newest round of El Catador is apparently an "all collaboration" round, but I didn't see anything with Swamp Head listed. Was hoping they'd redo this one at some point

Cognac Church on a Hill was a top 3 best barleywine ive ever drank. Its been like 6 years now though since I had it and im fairly certain I still got one tucked away. I really need to check in on it and see if its as glorious as I remember it being.

Regarding your comments about oxidation, what you described I do not believe is oxidation. Oxidation in beer takes on more of a old/papery character that some perceive as dusty or like wet cardboard, maybe even damp basement/mushroomy on the far reaching end of the spectrum.

Nail polish/lacquer and “harsh” “bitter” “bitey” are not oxidative characteristics that im aware of. That sounds like more of a fermentation issue. If this was the base beer for BA church on a hill, I wonder if the barrel aging introduced extra fermenting time or increased oxygen exposure to help mute or reduce those unpleasant characteristics you list.

As a side note, barrel aged beers dont always “age better.” In fact, many of them showcase oxidative character sooner than non-barrel aged versions simply due to extra oxygen exposure being a direct influence and part of the barrel aging process.

 

[stakem1]

Repost from yesterday’s DDT

Its been 50 years since Thomas Hardy Ale made its debute.
This bottle/vintage, despite having no special reference or variance of label (like some of the other milestone years) was brewed on the 30th year. Drinking it now, at 20 years since bottling and its delightful.

Somewhat shocked and in disbelief in the lack of oxidation in this bottle. It is rich with caramel/molasses sweetness and has a mildly vinous alcohol character that builds in warmth with each sip.

 

[IndianaJones]

Cognac Church on a Hill was a top 3 best barleywine ive ever drank. Its been like 6 years now though since I had it and im fairly certain I still got one tucked away. I really need to check in on it and see if its as glorious as I remember it being.

Regarding your comments about oxidation, what you described I do not believe is oxidation. Oxidation in beer takes on more of a old/papery character that some perceive as dusty or like wet cardboard, maybe even damp basement/mushroomy on the far reaching end of the spectrum.

Nail polish/lacquer and “harsh” “bitter” “bitey” are not oxidative characteristics that im aware of. That sounds like more of a fermentation issue. If this was the base beer for BA church on a hill, I wonder if the barrel aging introduced extra fermenting time or increased oxygen exposure to help mute or reduce those unpleasant characteristics you list.

As a side note, barrel aged beers dont always “age better.” In fact, many of them showcase oxidative character sooner than non-barrel aged versions simply due to extra oxygen exposure being a direct influence and part of the barrel aging process.

Thanks for the info, I'd be interested to see how the cognac BA version is doing when you revisit

An interesting tidbit about this beer: When CC announced this beer, it was originally labeled "Churchill," but they received a C&D from the Churchill family regarding using the man's likeness and name. Joey respected their wish and changed the name to "Church on a Hill," and removed his image. Apparently the bottle I have predates the label change which went out with most of the bottles. I guess it's a reason to keep the bottle as it still has Churchill's name and photo on it

 

[WhalezB4Rarez]

More flooded cellar finds. i thought my TH stash was at a more crirical level than this. Almost 20 total bottles is about a dozen more than I thought I had.

Just put a ‘98 in the fridge to drink later cuz its 20 years old and I feel like its my duty to give it some attention since ‘98 was the 30th year of TH releases

 

[AndresR]

Good, but past it's prime. Guessing it peaked at about a year on it. Still tasty.

 

[mwbbq]

Opened all these on Saturday. Abacus and 2012 were a little oxidized but still good. I think 2013-2015 were all good with the slight edge to 2013. Lots of fun, happy to finally try all together. Luckily I had lots of help but still took some half-full bottles home to enjoy another day.

 

[KevSal]

Opened all these on Saturday. Abacus and 2012 were a little oxidized but still good. I think 2013-2015 were all good with the slight edge to 2013. Lots of fun, happy to finally try all together. Luckily I had lots of help but still took some half-full bottles home to enjoy another day.

that’s awesome! i should really be doing this too soon, or atleast break out a couple here and there. i think i still got 2 b1s, sounds like its past it’s prime?

when i first had batch 1 fresh it blew my mind

16 and 18 forgettable?

 

[Padraig]

Random Barleywine Thoughts: I've had lots of barleywines, including some of the more "whaley" ones (some of them admittedly past their prime), but I think that either Xyauyu Etichetta Oro or Xyauyu Barrel is probably the best barleywine I've ever had. Wish I could get my hands on some of the other variants. The Xyauyu series gets some cult love, but not the love it deserves. What other barleywines can you recork and continue to enjoy for weeks?

TL; DR: send me your Xyauyus.

I remember X-Fumé (Lapsang Souchong version) being a big deal and people putting a lot of effort into chasing it down.

 

[davey101]

Good, but past it's prime. Guessing it peaked at about a year on it. Still tasty.

civicsitodamax and I drank a 2015 a few days ago. Was good, but I remember the bottles holding up much better with a few years on them.

 

[stakem1]

Opened all these on Saturday. Abacus and 2012 were a little oxidized but still good. I think 2013-2015 were all good with the slight edge to 2013. Lots of fun, happy to finally try all together. Luckily I had lots of help but still took some half-full bottles home to enjoy another day.

I remember the days when this was draft only. For 2 years this sat high on my “wants” list. When the announcement came that this was getting bottled for the first time, I was so ******* pumped to finally have a crack at getting it. The same week that 3 bottles arrived at my house from a trade, I was able to also try it on tap. Thinking the draft version was mislabeled/wrong, I went home and popped a bottle and was pretty uninspired by it.

After having it, I never understood why that one was so highly talked about/regarded. I waited a year, opened another when the next batch came out and I was equally unimpressed. I ended up giving away my last bottle and the freshly renamed new batch I got at some point as an extra.

2-3 months ago, I was in a local bar that had 100 taps and this god forsaken beer was on the menu. I couldnt help myself...I ordered it and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Though, I almost throat punched the bar tender who sat down infront of me and proclaimed how great my selection was and started to tell me all about the barleywine style and how rare/special Sucaba is. I told him its not Sucaba, it will always be Abacus to me. Pretty sure he had no idea what I was talking about.

#get off my lawn
#ive been drinking beer longer than you have been alive
#story time with stakem

 

[AndresR]

I remember the days when this was draft only. For 2 years this sat high on my “wants” list. When the announcement came that this was getting bottled for the first time, I was so ******* pumped to finally have a crack at getting it. The same week that 3 bottles arrived at my house from a trade, I was able to also try it on tap. Thinking the draft version was mislabeled/wrong, I went home and popped a bottle and was pretty uninspired by it.

After having it, I never understood why that one was so highly talked about/regarded. I waited a year, opened another when the next batch came out and I was equally unimpressed. I ended up giving away my last bottle and the freshly renamed new batch I got at some point as an extra.

2-3 months ago, I was in a local bar that had 100 taps and this god forsaken beer was on the menu. I couldnt help myself...I ordered it and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Though, I almost throat punched the bar tender who sat down infront of me and proclaimed how great my selection was and started to tell me all about the barleywine style and how rare/special Sucaba is. I told him its not Sucaba, it will always be Abacus to me. Pretty sure he had no idea what I was talking about.

#get off my lawn
#ive been drinking beer longer than you have been alive
#story time with stakem

I first had Abacus at, I want to say, a FW 12 component tasting. They had all the beers on tap at a local bar in LA. Me and my buddy went. We tried them all. But we found ourselves revisiting Abacus amoung all the beers. Loved it!

Over a year later, FW announced bottles of it. It was on! I tracked it's release like never before. I tracked it to a Bevmo 60 miles south of me. Jumped on the car, and tore ass over there.

I then hit a feel more store on the way back. 4-5 hours later, I had like 5-6 bottles in hand. I was so Fn stoked!

Still have one more bottle from that epic run. I'm sure it's awful now. Those were the days.

 

[jmgrub]

I remember the days when this was draft only. For 2 years this sat high on my “wants” list. When the announcement came that this was getting bottled for the first time, I was so ******* pumped to finally have a crack at getting it. The same week that 3 bottles arrived at my house from a trade, I was able to also try it on tap. Thinking the draft version was mislabeled/wrong, I went home and popped a bottle and was pretty uninspired by it.

After having it, I never understood why that one was so highly talked about/regarded. I waited a year, opened another when the next batch came out and I was equally unimpressed. I ended up giving away my last bottle and the freshly renamed new batch I got at some point as an extra.

2-3 months ago, I was in a local bar that had 100 taps and this god forsaken beer was on the menu. I couldnt help myself...I ordered it and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Though, I almost throat punched the bar tender who sat down infront of me and proclaimed how great my selection was and started to tell me all about the barleywine style and how rare/special Sucaba is. I told him its not Sucaba, it will always be Abacus to me. Pretty sure he had no idea what I was talking about.

#get off my lawn
#ive been drinking beer longer than you have been alive
#story time with stakem

I don't think it's the BEST, but for how widely available it is, this is a pretty solid option.

Still have a bottle of Abacus somewhere that I need to crush some time.

 

[capnmike]

Damn this is so good it actually just brightened my mood. Only 1/3 done, so not even buzzed. Huge expectations just exceeded.

 

[davey101]

Damn this is so good it actually just brightened my mood. Only 1/3 done, so not even buzzed. Huge expectations just exceeded.

Stupid sexy A-a-ron.

 

[AndresR]

Damn this is so good it actually just brightened my mood. Only 1/3 done, so not even buzzed. Huge expectations just exceeded.

What batch?

 

[capnmike]

What batch?

2017....keep in mind I’m a noob so if others are better...

vincemcmahonoface.gif

 

[wuntrikpony]

2017....keep in mind I’m a noob so if others are better...

b1>b2>b3....obv

 

[mwbbq]

that’s awesome! i should really be doing this too soon, or atleast break out a couple here and there. i think i still got 2 b1s, sounds like its past it’s prime?

when i first had batch 1 fresh it blew my mind

16 and 18 forgettable?

2016 and 2018 still good- really hard to pick a favorite in here since it's all the same beer and FW is pretty consistent. There's lots of hate on the 2018 batch for some reason but I like it.

 

[Podunkparte]

2017....keep in mind I’m a noob so if others are better...

vincemcmahonoface.gif

Had 1 and 2 last summer. Preferred 2 pretty comfortably. Wouldn't kick 1 out of bed though

 

[furley]

Stupid sexy A-a-ron.

 

[sacrelicio]

Had 1 and 2 last summer. Preferred 2 pretty comfortably. Wouldn't kick 1 out of bed though

I think the only batch I've had was batch 2 and it couldn't have been any better. Just great.

 

[sacrelicio]

I don't think it's the BEST, but for how widely available it is, this is a pretty solid option.

Still have a bottle of Abacus somewhere that I need to crush some time.

Me and Nate went on a trip to Seattle in 2011 and Uber Tavern was clearing out their Abacus bottles, so we ordered one and...damn...not my first BABW but quite memorable.