Instead of the usual Editors’ Picks, we’ve recruited a guest critic whose perspective on this style is sharper than anyone’s we know: Alex Kidd, the mind behind the Don’t Drink Beer blog, the Malt Couture podcast, and—not least—the creator of that much-imitated Facebook meme-hive called Barleywine Is Life.
Fonta Flora Birthdaywine
North Carolina darlings Fonta Flora are known for their farmhouse game and novel riffs on old styles, and their interpretation of barleywine does not disappoint. They’ve taken a bourbon barrel–aged barleywine and amped up the prune, date, and syrah tones through secondary casking in a blackberry-wine barrel. The result is a jammy Skor bar the whole family will love.
ABV: 12.5% IBUs: N/A Loc: Nebo, North Carolina
Wichita Chris Barley in a Little Coat
This 2021 GABF gold medal–winner puts Kansas on the map for some fantastic barrel-aged offerings. Instead of going a typical brown-sugar-and-toffee direction, this gem merges ice wine with Carnation Breakfast Essentials and a long, dry Cognac swallow. This bready Kansas juice will take you “to the stars through difficulties.”
ABV: 12% IBUs: N/A Loc: Wichita, Kansas