March Barleywine Tasting

On Friday evening March 7, 2003, a barleywine style tasting was held at the home of Bruno Wichnoski. A total of 7 members were in attendance. Amazingly, a total of 23 barleywines were sampled and we’re happy to report that everyone actually survived.

Each sample was scored using a simplified scoresheet which had members assign values to aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and overall impression as per BJCP guidelines. A large majority were American style with only two English style. They included commercial examples as well as homebrews. A complete list is as follows:

Youngs Old Nick Heavyweight Brewing Company’s Old Salty

Brooklyn Brewing Monster 2001 Blithering Idiot 2002

Grim Reaper Ale Todd Bowman’s Homebrew

Old Boardhead Old Foghorn

John Barleycorn Victory Old Horizontal

Jason Randall’s Homebrew Old Smuttynose

Thomas Hardy 1999 Hibernation Ale

Dominion Millenium Stone Brewing Old Guardian

Big Foot 2001 Bruno Wichnoski’s Homebrew

Brimestone Big Old Crustacean 1997

Moyland’s Old Blarney Big Foot 2002

Chaotic Chemistry, Magic Hat Brewing Company, South Burlington Vt.

And the winners were:

1. Thomas Hardy 1999

2. Victory Old Horizontal

3. Big Foot 2002

Yes, we know, Thomas Hardy is more classified as an Old Ale. Well quite frankly, we don’t care! It won and that’s that! Most unusual taste goes to the Chaotic Chemistry. Hard to describe!

We would like to thank Bruno and Pat for hosting the style tasting, Marlond Meadows for bringing the ham and cheese rollups, Jim Marcinko for bring the incredible Pittsburgh barbecue ham and most especially for all of the members that donated this fine selection of barleywines. A special word of thanks to those members that DIDN’T show up because that left plenty for those that did!