Rediscovering Old Brews: A Journey with Vintage Barley Wine

While tidying up my home recently, I stumbled across a hidden gem: a bottle of barley wine from High Water Brewing, dating back 10-15 years. I was intrigued but also apprehensive—what were the odds that this brew was still in any condition to enjoy?

The Tasting Experience

After much contemplation, I decided to take the plunge and give it a try. To my surprise, the flavor held up remarkably well. The aroma was slightly musty, a testament to its age, but it certainly didn’t detract from the overall experience. Contrary to my initial fears, the taste was far from off-putting; it retained a decent level of carbonation, though it had thinned out over the years.

While I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur of barley wines, I can confidently say that this relic didn’t exhibit the dreaded “wet cardboard” flavor that often comes with aged beers. Instead, I detected a pleasing roasty profile with subtle hints of chocolate and a pronounced alcohol presence, boasting an ABV of 11%.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the drinkability of this vintage barley wine. It seems that, in the world of aged brews, sometimes the oldies can indeed surprise you! Many thanks to those who offered their insights—I appreciated the encouragement as I ventured into this tasting territory. If you ever stumble upon an old bottle, don’t hesitate to give it a try; you might find it’s still worth a pour!