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Steven Coulson
Steven has been drinking beers, wines and spirits for decades and has a propensity to go about them at length after a few drinks.
Latest Posts
- Does anyone else feel guilty drinking beer alone because it’s supposed to be a social experience?
- I’m new to drinking beer and I need some suggestions.
- Cleaning house and found a 10-15 year old bottle of barley wine from High Water Brewing, which I think no longer exists. What are the chances it’s drinkable, as in not holding my nose drinkable?
- I’m new to drinking beer and I need some suggestions.
- Tried Dragon’s Milk and loved it, any other dark/milk stout recommendations?
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Rediscovering Vintage Brews: A Journey with Old Barley Wine
While organizing my home recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing find—a bottle of barley wine from High Water Brewing, dating back around 10 to 15 years. It got me thinking about the longevity of craft beers and the potential for such an aged brew to still be enjoyable. Given that High Water Brewing is no longer in business, I wondered if this aged barley wine would be worth sampling or best left untouched.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to pop the cap and give it a try. To my surprise, the experience wasn’t as daunting as I had imagined. Although the aroma was slightly musty—a characteristic of older brews—the flavor profile remained surprisingly intact. The carbonation, while diminishing over the years, still added a lovely touch to the drinking experience.
As someone who doesn’t typically indulge in barley wines, I can’t definitively judge its adherence to traditional style, but thankfully, I didn’t encounter the dreaded wet cardboard taste that often plagues older beers. Instead, what I found was a pleasantly roasty flavor, complemented by subtle notes of chocolate and a noticeable warmth from its 11% alcohol by volume.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how drinkable this vintage barley wine turned out to be. It’s fascinating to see how some beers can age gracefully while others may not fare as well. If you ever find yourself in a situation with a forgotten bottle, don’t hesitate to explore the potential treasure that lies within. Cheers to unexpected discoveries in the world of craft beer!