Couple of things:


Shag was nice enough to send me a Surly Abrasive Ale in return for the Ghost. What a wonderful beer. Thinking about Abrasive and Ghost, it's amazing how smooth and tasty they can make the Double IPA's. Halfway through the Abrasive, I double checked to make sure it was a DIPA. Thanks, Shag! I'm happy to be able to say I've tasted Abrasive Ale.

Secondly, I'm in Houston tonight, I just had a bottle of Great Divide Barrel Aged Old Ruffian Barleywine. Maaaaaaaaaan....just a solid beer. I paid for a full bottle after already drinking a flight of other beers, and didn't expect to finish all of it, but I just couldn't put it down. I'm not usually a fan of barrel aged beers, but between that and Parish Brewing Barrel Aged Grand Reserve, I've had two delicious barrel aged barleywines in just a month's time.

I want to look into more barleywines, barrel aged or not. I've always liked the style, but have given it the backseat treatment, opting for IPA's and farmhouse ales. What are the top notch barleywines out there?

I drank an Abrasive the same night I drank your Ghost; great beer night. Glad you got to try it.

Unfortunately, I not a big fan of barleywines. I'd imagine the Bourbon County barleywine is up there if you can find it, although I haven't had it this year.

If you don't already follow the Beer Advocate board, there's a guy over there who's drinking a barelywine everyday for a month for his birthday. Fairly decent BW discussion.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/communit...ry-day.359065/

Glad you enjoyed the Abrasive! It is amazing how smooth and easy drinking some of these DIPAs are - dangerous.

I love me a good BA barleywine, particularly if it's an English BW. Sucaba from Firestone Walker is my personal favorite, and probably a top 5 overall beer for me. FW Helldorado is also excellent. Mother of All Storms from Pelican is world class, and probably my #2. A local brewery called Steel Toe makes a BW called Lunker which is fantastic. And, of course, the Bourbon County variant. Unfortunately, none of these will be easily available to you (or me).

I'm sure you could find Sierra Nevada Bigfoot (regular or BA), which most people seem to like, but I'm not a huge fan of. I had a few year old Deschutes Mirror Mirror last year, which was delicious. Central Waters BA barleywine is very tasty. BA Behemoth from Three Floyds is great.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, but no idea the distro in your area.

oh yes...Lagunitas is good stuff and love me some Brown Sugga! the beer is good too. :D

my Lagunitas go to is Maximus IPA. something like 10%. tastes great and I don't need many of them.

also...apparently....having read answers to lews how much beer do you drink in a week question....either most of ya'll are wussys or.....I have a drinking problem. :rolleyes:

Picked up a bottle of Buffalo Bayou Gingerbread Stout, won't get to enjoy till the 28th though.

Lots of good info. Thanks. I've tried Sucaba once. It was good, but I got a very salty taste up front, not sure how to describe it, but it threw me off. I had 2024 Mirror Mirror last year, and I did enjoy that.

I think I need to pick up some barleywines and let them age.

Nice, thanks for the link.

Man, I'm glad you went in search of a bottle. I do hope you enjoy it. It was better when I had it on tap, but I liked the bottle as well.

2 x 12 packs of Bell's Two Hearted Ale in 12 oz. cans.

Sold at Costco. $32.99. $1.37 per beer. Deal!

Damn, that is a good deal. It's typically $20 a 12 pack around here.

Any opinions on Ruination 2.0?

I like it. Pretty forward on centennial if I recall.

I went the 1.5 miles to my local HEB. HEB might not be that great for variety on most things but their beer and wine selection is superb.

It was 12 bucks for a bottle so it better be good.

I really liked Free State's Barleywine

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/642/1888/

Finally trying my first beer from Stone.

Enjoy by 12.25.15 IPA. Excellent.