Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Chico, California USA

Drank from the tap at the Lazyboy Saloon in White Plains, NY. By far the best barleywine I’ve had, this brew offers up a rich, candied apple flavoring, some other sweet textures and flavors I can’t really put a finger on. Nice warming feel on the way down. This tastes way to good to be 10% abv, this will knock you on yo ass!

The new batch: 2010. Pours a reddish brown with a big, fluffy, tan head. Nose is hops, but a bit weak. The flavor and drinkability definitely make up for that, though. This is a very hoppy barleywine with a bit of sweetness that gives way to a dry finish. As with any good barleywine, you’d never guess the high ABV. The malt is only slightly discernible through the hops, but I bet with a year or so of aging that will change dramatically. Very good barleywine. After dismissing Sierra Nevada for too long, I have to admit that their top-end stuff is actually very impressive.

One I missed from my notes. Bottle from Winking Lizard. Big, citrusy hop profile with some caramelly sweetness from the malts in the aroma. The flavors here are lemon, caramel, raisin, and pine. Full bodied. Good stuff.

I’m surprised that this beer isn’t higher rated! Even after one bottle I could tell that the ABV was no joke. A really awesome switch from the normal brews available, especially for the price range. One hell of a barleywine!

Dark amber pour tan head ... aroma of floral hops and sweet and earthy malts ...... taste of dark fruits, sweet malts and citrusy hop and a deep bittersweet malty taste ..... finishes with a bitter hop taste ..... a very rich and balanced beer tons of flavor ..... intense is right! i’d buy two and age one to see how this one comes out with time .... an awesome brew

First time with a barely wine and this is a lovely start...Bigfoot is very intense, hops and alcohol are very present almost pushing the limit without over doing it, you could easily classify this as a double IPA..rich hoppy resin and some caramel here, a great brew!!!

Reddish-brown hazy pour with a small off-white head. Initial taste leaves grapefruit masked with pine and sweetness. Alcohol is present, but not overpowering. This beer does finish with a sort of bitterness..hard to place, but kinda piney. I saw another review that said this beer is better with age and that sounds about right...might mellow out a bit. All in all, pretty decent for a barleywine, but can’t beat the Lagunitas Gnarlywine.

12 oz. bottle from 2008 (consumed in early 09). Pours a deep, but hazy dark reddish color with a small off white head. The aroma is sweet caramel malts on one hand and then a hefty amount of citrus, pine and resin hops on the other. I am not a fan of the American barleywines and the strong hoppiness in most cases. The flavor is caramel malts with moderate sweetness. This becomes overpowered by the citrus and pine hops, hints of wood, and a moderate level of bitterness. The alcohol does show through the flavors but is not too distracting. Medium bodied. I enjoy these better with age. 2005 bottle enjoyed in 09. This shows more balance than fresh. The hops still have a presence, but they no longer dominate the malts. This seems to be a good time for this beer (approx. 3-4 years).