I grabbed the L’Ultima Luna by Birrificio Del Ducato in Italy from my local bottle shop, and was told by the clerk that this was an amazing English Barleywine. Aged in oak barrels for nine months that previously contained “great Italian wines,” I am expecting a nice additional layer of barrel and wine flavors.
Barleywines can be hit or miss for me, I either love it or can do without it. When you get a good Barleywine it hits all the perfect notes and you just want more of it. Sam Adam’s most recent entry in the world of Barleywines is the Griffin’s Bow, which is an 11.5% ABV oak-aged Barleywine. Promising notes of honeysuckle, pineapple, brown sugar, and toffee, it looks good on the outside.
Collaborations between breweries are a great thing – they allow two different brewers to make something brand new and further hone their skills. When these collaborations take on an international flare, things get even more interesting. One such example is from Brasserie Des Franches-Montagnes (BFM) out of Switzerland and Terrapin from Athens, GA teamed up to make the Spike and Jerome’s Cuvee, a 12.1% ABV rum barrel aged Barleywine. I had it on tap at my local beer bar and knew instantly it was worthy of a review.
Barleywines are a favorite style here on Passion Beer, normally complex, strong, sweet, and [sometimes] hoppy. Finding a good Barleywine is always something to celebrate. The latest candidate is the Flying Mouflan from Tröegs Brewing Company. With over 100 IBUs this should be on the hoppy side of the spectrum and at 9.3% ABV, be nice and strong.
What happens when Stone takes their Old Guardian Barleywine and adds a bit of Belgian yeast? You end up with the Old Guardian BELGO Barleywine. Brewed as part of the “Odd Beers for Odd Years” Series this 2011 version has a 12% ABV tag and comes in a 22oz bomber. I really enjoy the regular Old Guardian, so I wonder will the addition of Belgian yeast help or hinder what I already consider to be a great beer?
