First Barleywine a SUCCESS!!

[paul84043]

After some discussion today, I got the bug to test one of my barleywines.
I popped one in the fridge when I got home today and went off to do some odds and ends.
About an hour later it was cold enough to drink.

The first test was "did it carbonate?" pop off the cap and hear a decent fizz! Not too bad, still has a tiny bit to go, but if it were to be done as it is, I would be happy!
The color is very nice, deep amber, not too dark, not too light.
It has an aroma that reminds me of the belgian ales, fruity with an undercurrent that's impossible for me to pin down.
The last time I sampled it was when I bottled it, it was very sweet with a sharp bite followed by my ears getting warm, definitely potent, and probably a little difficult to get through a full glass though due to the green-ness, in spite of the fact that it's been fermenting and aging for almost 5 months.

Okay, the taste test....
sweet, but not as sweet as it was, the yeast and aging must have done something...I'm waiting for the bite, but it never comes....Just smooth and warm all the rest of the way down!
Wow, I'm really impressed. It's good!

I tried some of The local Uinta Barleywine (last years) and it reminds me of Arrogant Bastard Ale, Strong, Strong, Strong....(but good!!)

Mine is not as harsh, very smooth and easy to drink. Probably too easy!

Damn!!! I need to get another one going ASAP if they are going to take 6 to 9 months to be ready!!

Mine came out alot drier that I was anticipating, which is a good thing. I'm impressed. I used the St Pats barleywine kit (extract). They used the Moravian malt and it makes some damn good beer, too bad the lady that runs it is such a yoch.

Fretlessman, you up for a few bottles???


:D

[S.F.B.]

Congrats on the success. It sounds really yummy.

I am thinking of starting some next spring to be ready for winter.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by paul84043
Fretlessman, you up for a few bottles???
:D

HEY!, what about the rest of us. My wife and I enjoy barelywines.

I know how you feel. I did my first barelywine when we found out my wife was pregnet with our child. I did not want to hand out cigars, I have never smoked. So I put up the barelywinr and carried bottles with me after his birth. I would have people toast with the barelywine.

All this talk is getting to me. I have some aging in bottles now so I guess it is time to put up another one.

[paul84043]

S.F.B.

You'll want to get it going now to be ready for next winter.....

This is by far the smoothest really big beer that I have made (or tasted) to date. I'm really happy with my efforts.

Fretlessman voiced interest in the barleywine early on, and is still teetering on the verge of becoming a homebrewer.
That's why I mentioned him!! Nothing personal.

We'll have to see, this is almost too good to keep to myself.
:eek:

[S.F.B.]

I would get it going sooner but I have other beers to brew before I get to it. I was planning to do some of my warm weather beers in January. I need to do some brewing for the guy that is doing the welding on my new boiler. I need to keep something in my fridge in the mean time.

I better get to brewing! :cool:

[b3s]

wish i had the carboys and space to let something sit that long, as i'm dying to do a barleywine!

sounds like a good beer, paul.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by paul84043
Fretlessman voiced interest in the barleywine early on, and is still teetering on the verge of becoming a homebrewer.
That's why I mentioned him!! Nothing personal.

We'll have to see, this is almost too good to keep to myself.
:eek:

I was being tounge in cheek. I understand the last line completely. If there is beer I hate parting with, I do enjoy giving beer to my friends, it is my barelywines.

Hey, next time you do one, let me know and I will also. Then we can swap beer about the same age and compare.

[ray m]

I've really been kicking around the notion of doing a barleywine myself, just too sceered I guess. I need to just hang my balls out and brew one already:cool:

[fretlessman71]

I'll take whatever you've got to give me, Paul! I just hope the rest of the community here doesn't oust me out of sheer envy...

Drop me a line via PM and we'll go from there!

[paul84043]

Wortchiller,
I know you were kidding, but I still felt the need to qualify the offer to Fretlessman.

Barleywines take alot of time and energy, especially since I only netted 4 gallons due to an unbelievable amount of blowoff.

I have since then upgraded my blowoff tubing and gained some eperience....

You just need to jump on the wagon and do one. If this one came out good, with everything I feel I did wrong, anyone can make one.

It was really my wife that wanted one, I probably would have put it a little further down the list than I did if it wasn't for that.
Too bad she has a cold now and couldn't appreciate the finished product with me yesterday....

[fretlessman71]

Well, they'll keep, right? Not like they're going to lose their flavor by the time she's well.... :)

Not to worry. Maybe you'll share the recipe with me via PM.....?

[toneyc]

He mentioned that he used the Barleywine kit from St. Pat's:

Barley Wine $39.25

OG 1.092 9.5% alc. Made with wine yeast. Rich. 1/2 lb CaraB, 12 lb Moravian pale, 1.5 lb corn sugar, 3 oz Magnum, 1 oz Cascade, Pasteur Champagne liquid yeast, 1 cup corn sugar

:)
Toney.

[fretlessman71]

Sounds like my kind of brew! Of course, if I make one now, it won't really be ready until, what... June? Drat.... may be moving soon, and don't want to risk it. Guess I'll have to stick with my idea for an Irish Stout for now. Yumpin' Yiminy!

[DallasSVT]

does anyone know a barleywine recipe that is not all grain and needs to be dry hopped?

[hopheaddude]

your barleywine sounds great, I just brewed a barleywine about a month ago and I was relieved to hear about your blowoff problem, makes you feel better someone else having the same problems. I had a very vigorous fermentation for the first 3-4 days and lost quite a bit I have about 4 gallons in the secondary right now. I can't wait to try mine, probably be ready for next winter..

[paul84043]

Dallas,
There are many non-alll grain Barleywine recipes, go to any of your online places and they all have one.

Dry hopping is completely up to you, if you want to do it, then go right ahead! It's your beer, make it your way.

I didn't dry hop mine, I usually start with the recipe the way it was designed and then go from there.