copyright Northwest Beer Guide

On Saturday, February 27th, you're asked to do one thing - employ an alternate form of transportation home. Why you ask? Brouwer's Cafe presents their annual Hard Liver Barleywine (or Barley Wine) Festival. Now in it's 14th year, the event showcases this unique classification of ales, produced by the areas brewers.

Barley Wines / Barlewines, it doesn't matter how you spell it out, but if you're going to judge who's the best.

American Barleywine (courtesy, BeerAdvocate.com)

Description: 
Despite its name, a Barleywine (or Barley Wine) is very much a beer, albeit a very strong and often intense beer! In fact, it's one of the strongest of the beer styles. Lively and fruity, sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet, but always alcoholic. A brew of this strength and complexity can be a challenge to the palate. Expect anything from an amber to dark brown colored beer, with aromas ranging from intense fruits to intense hops. Body is typically thick, alcohol will definitely be perceived, and flavors can range from dominant fruits to palate smacking, resiny hops. 

English varieties are quite different from the American efforts, what sets them apart is usually the American versions are insanely hopped to make for a more bitter and hop flavored brew, typically using American high alpha oil hops. English versions tend to be more rounded and balanced between malt and hops, with a slightly lower alcohol content, though this is not always the case. 

Most Barleywines can be cellared for years and typically age like wine.


Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 8.0-15.0%

English Barleywine (courtesy, BeerAdvocate.com)

Description:
Despite its name, a Barleywine (or Barley Wine) is very much a beer, albeit a very strong and often intense beer! In fact, it's one of the strongest of the beer styles. Lively and fruity, sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet, but always alcoholic. A brew of this strength and complexity can be a challenge to the palate. Expect anything from an amber to dark brown colored beer, with aromas ranging from intense fruits to intense hops. Body is typically thick, alcohol will definitely be perceived, and flavors can range from dominant fruits to palate smacking, resiny hops.

English varieties are quite different from the American efforts, what sets them apart is usually the American versions are insanely hopped to make for a more bitter and hop flavored brew, typically using American high alpha oil hops. English version tend to be more rounded and balanced between malt and hops, with a slightly lower alcohol content, though this is not always the case.

Most Barleywines can be cellared for years and typically age like wine.

Average alcohol by volume (abv) range: 7.0-12.0%
Before continuing we want to ask you to do a couple things. 

1. Getting there. Brouwer's Cafe is located at 400 N. 35th Street in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.
2. Eat something. We won't tell you where to eat at. But we will point out there are both brewpubs and eateries within walking distance. If you like, you may order from the Brouwer's Cafe menu, inspired by food from Belgium.
3. Find a designated driver or alternate form of transportation. Given the average alcohol by volume is 11%, coupled with the average serving size is around 6 ounces, it will be wise to get a designated driver.
a. Uber.  https://m.uber.com/
b. Lyft. https://www.lyft.com/
c. Cab. https://goo.gl/29D1kU
d. Bus. http://m.tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/
e. Friend / Family. Hey. What are friends or family for? Just make sure to apologize afterwards if side-effects (of drinking many barleywines) present themselves.
f. Random Stranger? Probably not a good idea, unless you're planning on dating someone or ending up in a ditch. ;o)
4. Patience. Weather-dependent, there might be a long line. Given Fire Department regulations there is a maximum capacity for how many people are allowed indoors. Therefore it's advised that you wait until management allow you to enter. 
5. Hotel? If you would rather stay at a hotel and walk there, the Staybridge Suites (http://goo.gl/hDJ5Vf) is the closest option. But you're welcome to review (via https://goo.gl/kjPQg1 /  Google Maps ) other options.

Be on the lookout for beers from breweries like 3 Magnets, Alaskan, Black Raven, Anacortes, Big Sky, Deschutes, Firestone Walker, Lost Abbey, and Midnight Sun. New to the list are beers from breweries like Elevation, Machine House, Nøgne-Ø, Oakshire, and Wander.

Brouwer's Cafe staff ask that you only use the corresponding number associated with your beer and specify ounces (3, 6, or 12). Here's an example. 

"Can I have a 12 ounce 9, a 6 ounce 16, and a 3 ounce 5?"

This process will speed up order recording and assure that your beer(s) will arrive faster. The staff appreciate your willingness to order this way. In some cases, the option for a 12 ounce might be availble, so it's worth asking if you're up to the challenge.

First we're breaking it down by state and out-of-state, here's the list of beers reported by the 'Cafe.  Then we will have the list in order as it appears on the menu below.

Alaska

• Alaskan Barleywine ’11 (10.7 %) Anchorage
• Midnight Sun Artic Devil ’13 (13.7%) Anchorage
• Midnight Sun Bore Tide Bbl-Aged Wheatwine (10%) Anchorage

California

• 21st Amendment Lower De Boom ’15 (11.5%) San Francisco
• Alesmith Decadence ’14 Wheatwine (10%) San Diego
• Ballast Point 3 Sheets Barleywine (10%) San Diego
• Beachwood Annihilator ’12 (12%) Long Beach
• Firestone-Walker Abacus ’10 (12.5%) Paso Robles
• Firestone-Walker §ucaba ’13 (12.5%) Paso Robles
• Green Flash Barleywine (10.9%) San Diego

Colorado

• Avery Hog Heaven ’16 (9.2%) Boulder
• Elevation Arête Barleywine (12.5%) Poncha Springs
• Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine ’12 (12.7%) Denver
• Lagunitas Olde GnarleyWine ’11 (10.6%) Petaluma
• Lost Abbey Angel’s Share ’12 (12.5%) San Diego
• Sierra Nevada Bbl-Aged Big Foot Barleywine ’14 (9.6%) Chico
• Stone Pekko Dry-Hopped Old Guardian Barleywine (11%)Escondido
• New Belgium Leaps of Faith Blackberry Barleywine ’15 (10%) Fort Collins

Illinois

• Destihl Antiquity Rye Wine (12.1%) Bloomington
• Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine ‘15 (12.1%) Chicago

Missouri

• Perennial Vermillion Barleywine (10.5%) St. Louis

Montana

• Big Sky Old Bluehair ’12 (12%) Missoula

Oregon

• Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’14 (11%) Bend
• Double Mountain Off the Wagon Belgian Barleywine ’14 (11.8%)
• Ecliptic Orange Giant Bbl-Aged Barleywine ’15 (13.8%) Portland
• Full Sail Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wheatwine (9.5%) Hood River
• Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws ’14 (11.5%) Portland
• HUB Noggin Floggin Barleywine ’15 (11%) Portland
• Laurelwood Santa’s Woody Barleywine (9.5%) Portland
• Ninkasi Sasquatch Legacy Wheatwine (9%) Eugene
• Oakshire Vintage Barleywine ’13 (10.1%) Eugene

Washington

• Anacortes Old Sebastes ’15 (9.9%) Anacortes
• 3 Magnets Old Skook in the Woods Barleywine ’15 (12.1%) Olympia
• Bainbridge Island Bbl-Aged Old Toe Jam ’14 (9%) Bainbridge
• Big Time Old Wooly ’15 (9%) Seattle
• Black Raven Old Birdbrain ’13 (12.2%) Redmond
• Engine House #9 Claret Bbl-Aged Barleywine (10.4%) Tacoma
• Fremont Brewing Batch 1000 Barleywine 2015 (11.6%) Seattle
• Machine House English Barleywine Cask (10.5%) Seattle
• Old Schoolhouse Brewer’s Reserve Barleywine ’13 (10.5%) Winthrop
• Pike Old Bawdy Barleywine ’12 (9.9%) Seattle
• 7 Seas Barrel-Aged Old Wheelchair ’13 (11.5%) Gig Harbor
• Snipes Mountain Roza Reserve Barleywine (9.2%) Sunnyside
• Wander 3 Ton Barleywine (11.6%) Bellingham

Imported

• De Molen Bommen & Granaten Barley Wine-ish (15.2%) Bodegraven
• Dieu du Ciel! Solstice d’Hiver Barleywine (10.5%) Montreal (Canada)
• Evil Twin Freudian Slip Barleywine (10.3%) Stratford
• Mikkeller Big Worster Barleywine (17.3%) Copenhagen
• Nøgne-Ø Batch #100 Barleywine (10%) Grimstad

As the menu will appear Saturday, February 27th.
1. 21st Amendment Lower De Boom ’15 (11.5%) San Francisco
2. 3 Magnets Old Skook in the Woods Barleywine ’15 (12.1%) Olympia
3. Alaskan Barleywine ’11 (10.7 %) Anchorage
4. Alesmith Decadence ’14 Wheatwine (10%) San Diego
5. Anacortes Old Sebastes ’15 (9.9%) Anacortes
6. Avery Hog Heaven ’16 (9.2%) Boulder
7. Bainbridge Island Bbl-Aged Old Toe Jam ’14 (9%) Bainbridge
8. Ballast Point 3 Sheets Barleywine (10%) San Diego
9. Beachwood Annihilator ’12 (12%) Long Beach
10.  Big Sky Old Bluehair ’12 (12%) Missoula
11.  Big Time Old Wooly ’15 (9%) Seattle
12.  Black Raven Old Birdbrain ’13 (12.2%) Redmond
13.  De Molen Bommen & Granaten Barley Wine-ish (15.2%) Bodegraven
14.  Deschutes Mirror Mirror ’14 (11%) Bend
15.  Destihl Antiquity Rye Wine (12.1%) Bloomington
16.  Dieu du Ciel! Solstice d’Hiver Barleywine (10.5%) Montreal
17.  Double Mountain Off the Wagon Belgian Barleywine ’14 (11.8%)
18.  Ecliptic Orange Giant Bbl-Aged Barleywine ’15 (13.8%) Portland
19.  Elevation Arête Barleywine (12.5%) Poncha Springs
20.  Engine House #9 Claret Bbl-Aged Barleywine (10.4%) Tacoma
21.  Evil Twin Freudian Slip Barleywine (10.3%) Stratford
22.  Firestone-Walker Abacus ’10 (12.5%) Paso Robles
23.  Firestone-Walker §ucaba ’13 (12.5%) Paso Robles
24.  Fremont Brewing Batch 1000 Barleywine 2015 (11.6%) Seattle
25.  Full Sail Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wheatwine (9.5%) Hood River
26.  Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine ‘15 (12.1%) Chicago
27.  Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine ’12 (12.7%) Denver
28.  Green Flash Barleywine (10.9%) San Diego
29.  Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws ’14 (11.5%) Portland
30.  HUB Noggin Floggin Barleywine ’15 (11%) Portland
31.  Lagunitas Olde GnarleyWine ’11 (10.6%) Petaluma
32.  Laurelwood Santa’s Woody Barleywine (9.5%) Portland
33.  Lost Abbey Angel’s Share ’12 (12.5%) San Diego
34.  Machine House English Barleywine Cask (10.5%) Seattle
35.  Midnight Sun Artic Devil ’13 (13.7%) Anchorage
36.  Midnight Sun Bore Tide Bbl-Aged Wheatwine (10%) Anchorage
37.  Mikkeller Big Worster Barleywine (17.3%) Copenhagen
38.  New Belgium LoF Blackberry Barleywine ’15 (10%) Fort Collins
39.  Ninkasi Sasquatch Legacy Wheatwine (9%) Eugene
40.  Nøgne-Ø Batch #100 Barleywine (10%) Grimstad
41.  Oakshire Vintage Barleywine ’13 (10.1%) Eugene
42.  Old Schoolhouse Brewer’s Reserve Barleywine ’13 (10.5%) Winthrop
43.  Perennial Vermillion Barleywine (10.5%) St. Louis
44.  Pike Old Bawdy Barleywine ’12 (9.9%) Seattle
45.  Sierra Nevada Bbl-Aged Big Foot Barleywine ’14 (9.6%) Chico
46.  Seven Seas Barrel-Aged Old Wheelchair ’13 (11.5%) Gig Harbor
47.  Snipes Mountain Roza Reserve Barleywine (9.2%) Sunnyside
48.  Stone Pekko Dry-Hopped Old Guardian Barleywine (11%)Escondido
49.  Wander 3 Ton Barleywine (11.6%) Bellingham

For any changes, head over to the Brouwer's Cafe website http://brouwerscafe.blogspot.com/.