27 year old barleywine - Good to drink still?

Just came in possession of a 1986 Anchor Old Foghorn barleywine that has been properly cellared (or at least that's the info I'm under the impression of). Think this is still good to drink?

Yes.

You should take a test drive and let everyone else know.

No. Please send it to me first so I can check it. I'll send the bottle back.

It might not be that great (or who knows - maybe it will be!!) but I don't see why it would be hazardous to drink. Go for it.

What's the worst that can happen, a drainpour? At best you have an awesome beer experience.

Not to sound like an ass, but I never understand these threads. Just open it and take a sip. If it sucks, move on with life.

Dude that's awesome. You gotta try it.

Humble brag.

It should be a very interesting experience...hopefully you can dig up a fresh bottle for comparison.

Need pix of the entire tasting event.

I haven't had good luck with older Old Foghorns- they have been too oxidized for my tastes- but that could have been dependent on how they were stored. Still- yours has been stored properly and it's probably not getting any better, so it's definitely worth a try. The worst that could happen is that it is too sherry-like and you don't like it. It won't make you sick or anything.

If you think it's questionable at 27 years, then you'll think it's questionable at 28, 29, 30, etc. It's not like someone's going to get on here and say "It's a drain pour at 27 years, but at 29 years it's amazing!" So you're either never going to drink it and wonder for the rest of your life, or you're going to give it a shot. No time like the present homie.

I hear at year 25 barleywines actually turn back into IPAs

27 is pushing it. 26 is usually about perfect.

Oh no, I know that it ain't getting any better or worst. I literally just got a bottle today from someone. I plan to crack this open soon, just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this long of a vintage themself to know if I'll need a quick washer right after. HA.

HA!

I had a 15 year old home brewed spiced ale once and it was fine so a barley wine should be be able to handle the age no problem.

If its not >=(.5*your age + 7) its too young for you bro

This is about 5 years past that then.

I hear what your saying. It's the obvious. However... If you don't understand, just read. Hey... It's beer... Fun stuff. Social stuff. A way of sharing. Maybe someone else has had a similar experience. I would love to hear about it. Wish I had one.

I heard its horrible at 27 years, but really hits its peak at 35 years.

Id wait it out bro.

Drink the goddam shit. Report back, if ya want.

I had a 2ish year old Old Foghorn that was oxidized to hell and nigh undrinkable. Hope the in-package O2 content was a little better on that batch / back then. I would think that even if it's terrible, it will be a fun experience to drink a beer that old. So do that.

Not like there are that many barleywines that could be that old, at least US made.

Crack it open.

I wouldn't expect much at all, but it's not going to kill you to try it.

Hope you plan to share the experience with one or two local BA friends. Just a suggestion.

I had a 23 year old Bigfoot recently, and it was phenomenal still. Give it a whirl, worst that can happen is it'll be less than optimal. I know one of the reasons Bigfoot holds up so well is the ABV.

I'm sure it will taste old and probably oxidized, but there's a good chance it will be enjoyable. I've had a beer that was over a century old and it was still entirely drinkable.

If nothing else the yeast sediment will have amazing restorative properties.

Let us know!!!

if someone said no would you just not open it?

gotta do it bruh

Open her up and see.

One way to find out. My guess is that it's probably past its prime though.

Of course.

Hell no.

Agreed that obviously ABV plays a part in how well something holds up. But 23 years? My god thats a whole nother story. This was as old as me.

I'll let everyone know how it is when I crack it open.

Also got a 6 pack of Bigfoot today featuring a 93,95,98,99,03,&08. Can't wait to crack those open for a side by side.

Looking forward to the result!

Oldest anything I've had of interest was a pull tab top white can labeled simply...Beer. It was one of the worst experiences of my life, but I made $5 on the deal.