Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Slightly hazy dark maroon hue with some visible sediment and a thin foamy off-white head.

Aroma: Rich caramel that is both sweet and aromatic. Some pine and a little earthiness from the hops.

Taste: As advertised, the palate is sweet with a strong bitterness that sneaks up on you. Starts with rich amber and caramel malts that provide a hint of sweetness. However, if you blink you just might miss those flavors because the hop bitterness swarms in after about the halfway point and provides some serious IBUs as well as a great earthy flavor. The aftertaste is somewhat dry and completely hop forward. Even though the hops play a major role, it is still a balanced brew. Not quite as sweet as I had anticipated but that lack of sweetness might be why it is not cloying at all. Lots of flavor and no hint of the 9.6% ABV. Would love to see them do a special release of this and bump that ABV up a bit to really let Bigfoot loose.

Mouthfeel: Just a couple hairs below full bodied with smooth carbonation. Easy drinkability which is an accomplishment given the style.

Final Thoughts: I've been looking forward to trying this beer since hearing about it through BA. I'm not disappointed, especially given the price ($10 for a 4-pack). Would I drink it again? Yes, I have one more in the beer fridge and two aging in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 23:21:26 | More by JamesMN

nick_asian

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-19-2013 07:17:51 | More by nick_asian

jkroese

Iowa

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-19-2013 02:48:49 | More by jkroese

AGoodStout

Kansas

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%

05-19-2013 02:19:56 | More by AGoodStout

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-19-2013 02:02:39 | More by Photekut

bluestar0828

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-18-2013 21:09:11 | More by bluestar0828

schopenhauerale

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-18-2013 20:18:47 | More by schopenhauerale

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%

05-18-2013 06:54:33 | More by beernads

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-18-2013 06:17:29 | More by BrownAleMale

megamass

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-18-2013 05:55:49 | More by megamass

davemathews68

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-18-2013 00:29:09 | More by davemathews68

inanity

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%

05-18-2013 00:12:44 | More by inanity

jkrug5

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-17-2013 22:27:12 | More by jkrug5

hackmann

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: copper body with a one finger beige colored head; not much on the lacing

Aroma: nice spicy hops tingles the nose with a rich malt backbone

Flavors: spicy hops up front, pine on the mid and finish along with alcohol, white grapefruit peel on the aftertaste, brown spice bread in the background,

Mouthfeel: rich style, thick, oily, alcohol warmth and alcohol peppery feel, moderate fizzy carbonation, bitterness up front followed by the sweet brown spice bread, white grapefruit lingers on the palate, full body, more bitter than sweet

To the Point: I like this ale; it is a sipper;

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 19:46:33 | More by hackmann

verge

California

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

2013 12 oz bottle from Total Wine & More in Brea, CA. Cool label and funny drawing inside the bottle cap of Bigfoot enjoying a beer with two humans!

Poured into a snifter/goblet forming half a finger of head. Gorgeous deep ruby/copper color, with just a hint of haze.

I can already smell this beer while it sits on the desk in front of me. A deep whiff reveals complexity, some smoke, dark malts, hops, and some alcohol as well.

My first sip is while the beer is still cool (I expect the flavor to develop as it warms), but it is already a perfect harmony of the malts, hops and yeast, with each taking its separate place but also supporting the others. No alcohol flavor yet, but there is some warming after gulping it down. Also a lingering dry hop aftertaste.

(My palette is not the best at finding specific flavors in the mix, but I've drunk enough good beer to recognize interplay between parts.)

As it slightly warms, I find the bitterness taking over more, and some alcohol shining through, and less of the malt is holding up. The balance is lessening, and it seems it's actually becoming more harsh.

A little bit of malt sweetness returns now after a few more minutes have passed. This seems to be the optimal temperature now, with some sweetness in the beginning, some alcohol in the middle, and minutes of hops at the end. Definitely complex! The balance is complete right here. Take note: serve slightly cool, not refrigerator cold!

Mouthfeel is right in the middle. Not creamy, not too prickly, maybe just a little on the watery side.

I'm still new at barleywines. This is a BIG, bold, hoppy version of one, which I'm sure would mellow out with age. Not really my thing, but I can certainly enjoy this as I drink it. Lots to take note of during consumption. Certainly wouldn't turn one of these down if offered to me again.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 19:28:18 | More by verge

barefoot71

Texas

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-17-2013 15:41:50 | More by barefoot71

Xzfgiimtsath

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-17-2013 12:43:33 | More by Xzfgiimtsath

iHeartMNBeer

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-17-2013 04:40:16 | More by iHeartMNBeer

vancean2

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-16-2013 22:35:08 | More by vancean2

mverity

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%

05-16-2013 21:41:56 | More by mverity

standardcherry

Massachusetts

3.79/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

2002 vintage! I was surprised to find that this was a screw-top.

A: Dark red/brown color. Thin white head with little lacing. Looks alright I guess.
S: Surprisingly this still smells a bit floral from the hops! Never tried it fresh to compare but I imagine it's a hop bomb. A bit of caramel followed by a slight metallic aroma.
T: Huge flavor. Sweet roasted malts, caramel, toffee, a slight hoppy bitterness. There's a bit of a stale flavor, not sure how to describe it. A big alcohol bite as well.
M: Thick bodied, creamy and sticky. Nice carbonation to my surprise.
O: This beer has held up very well for being 11 years old. I will have to try it fresh to compare but I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 04:56:00 | More by standardcherry

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-15-2013 19:49:35 | More by HarmonMW

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-15-2013 18:34:32 | More by twenty5

Zimm

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-15-2013 17:49:41 | More by Zimm

themind

New Jersey

3.81/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Paterson was right, Bigfoot lives! what a good example of a quality barleywine. ABV hidden well with a good aroma and satisfying taste. The brew was pretty smooth, if your looking to try a barleywine beer look no further. This is a great introduction to the BW style for newcomers to the craft beer World.

Bottom Line: Get some!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 03:59:42 | More by themind