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Barleywine
Hey all,
I was just wondering if any of you are major consumers of the Barley Wine style, and, if so, if any of you could point me towards a fine example of one. I have been seeking a really good one for a while, but am hesitant to try any because the cost can sometimes be high 
I have a bottle of "Killer Penguin" from Boulder, who has done great things in the past. If you want to read about that one, go to http://beeradvocate.com/news/stories_read/f-850250
Anything else you would suggest? I tried the Rogue Barley Wine looong ago, but I had such an un-refined beer palate then that I can't go off the dislike I had for it at the time.
Funny you mention Killer Penguin, as that is one of my favorites, and is among the few I have aging right now. (They also have that nice wax detail on the bottle, another thread was wondering about that) In my jaded, Colorado-resident opinion, Boulder makes some of the best beers from the top to bottom of their line-up, and I went to CSU so it's tough to say anything from Boulder is good.
Anchor makes Old Foghorn, which I beleive was one of the first barleywines to be produced after a long while without any in the states. It is pretty good. Sierra Nevada makes the Bigfoot, also good.
I just remembered. Rogue makes a pretty good barleywine, although I can't remember what it is called at the moment. Also, we have a discussion going on in one of the forums here about Thomas Hardy. This is from GB, and supposedly very good. I just haven't opened the bottle I got, which I got this time last year. I am keeping this one for a while, and will probably pick up a few more this year as well.
Old Crustacean, very good.
There definetly seems to be a big difference in English/American Barleywines. I'd say grab a bottle of Bigfoot and the Rogue and compare them to the Young's Barleywine and the Hardy's.
I was at the store and didn't see the Hardy's this year. I hope it still a bit early and it will show up hear in our area, but my experience has been that the English barleywines are a bit ahead of the American counter parts. And yes, there is a difference between them, much like there is a difference between an American and English APA. The American beers will tend to emphasize hops more and the English versions will emphasize malt a bit more. Both are good, though.
I also remembered a barleywine called John Barley Corn. It is pretty good, but very expense (like $11 or $12 a six pack). I brother-in-law loved it, and he isn't usually a fan of big beers. It is also certified organic, for those of you who care about that.
What does everyone prefer here? English or American? Just out of curiousity
Well, I cracked open the Killer Penguin last night, & proceeded to enjoy myself for a bit...I do have one criticism though:
Why is the bottle so freaking huge?
I mean, it's 22 oz, which is a decent size, but this bottle is the hardest beer I have ever had to finish. Had I known what I was getting into, I would have split it between two (or even three) friends.
Other than that, it was quite enjoyable. Too bad it was such a limited release
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