Real Ale Sisyphus Barleywine

[adamhimself]

So, to be honest... I didn't know much about Barleywine until I go into homebrewing. I started reading about it and hearing about it, that I just had to try it. I found a bottle of Real Ale's Sisyphus Barleywine 2007 sitting in the fridge at my local liquor store. I was shocked that it was still there and I could get it in single bottle form.

So, this was my first time having barleywine (last night). It was clearly malty sweet, but almost too sweet for my liking. I really like Old Ales and I know barleywine kind of runs in the same BJCP families. I could taste some of my favorite old ales in there, but the malty sweetness was just so over powering that it was hard to get past.

I could see this being a great beer during winter or Christmas time and I would love to make one someday, but malty sweetness was hard to get by for me...

I give it a B-

 

[KingBrianI]

Yeah, I've had a few barleywines that were so sweet they were almost undrinkable. A strong bitterness that helps to balance them when young, could fade over time leaving only a cloying sweetness.

 

[ColonelForbin]

i love me some sissyfus. welcome to the world of barleywines and always remember, any time is a good time for a barleywine.