Barleywine Fest – Day 2

We love our annual Barleywine Fest so much we decided to stretch the celebration to two days!

Join us on either Friday or Saturday to enjoy nothing but barleywines…our barleywines, our aged barleywines & some guest ones.

Saturday we’ll be open 2pm-9pm. We will have snacks from Bunky’s AND ORIGIN Breads available to purchase and starting at 5pm you can order food from our neighbors at The Deliciouser!

Here’s a list of our barleywine line up:

From Giant Jones…

Batch #1 (10.9% abv) 

Wheatwine (9.1% abv) 5/17/20

Wheatwine (10.2% abv) 11/8/23

American Barleywine (1o.8% abv) 9/22/21

American Barleywine (11.3% abv) 9/24/24

British-Style Barleywine (10.8% abv) 1/26/23

British-Style Barleywine (11.3% abv) 11/14/23

British-Style Barleywine (11.2% abv) 11/8/24

Ryewine (11% abv) 2/28/23

Extra Blonde Ale (10.5% abv) 2/26/25

Guest Barleywines From:

Delta Beer Lab Barrel-Aged Barleywine 2022

New Glarus Brewing Company Barley Wine ’24

Youngblood Beer Co. Canadian Bachelor Party

Starkweather Brewing Company Barrel- Aged British Elixir 

G5 Brewing

Working Draft Beer Co.

Lone Girl Brewing Company

It’s always a fun time so we hope to see you there.

Barleywine Fest – Day 1

 

Welcome to Giant Jones’ 4th Annual Barleywine Fest!!!

Here’s what’s on tap…

GIANT JONES BARLEYWINES

1. Batch #1 (10.9% abv) 2018

The very first batch through our brewhouse, because when you are ultimately a barleywine brewery you might as well just go for it! Featuring German munich malt plus a blend of centennial & pacific gem like a typical batch of GJ American Barleywine, all put through an unrepeatable process. A 10 hour lauter, with less yield than desired, that was first-wort-hopped for the expected yield – we learned a lot that day (that became overnight). Yet, walking home just before dawn, once the yeast was pitched, Jessica said, “Well, that went rather well.” Shocked, Erika exclaimed, “Oh? Tell me more about that…” In all hope and optimism, Jessica said, “We made beer, and if it’s drinkable we can legally sell it to strangers. That’s like the whole thing!”

2. Wheatwine (9.1% abv) 5/17/20

A collaboration with Brasserie V & Longtable to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary. Over half wheat malt, with nutty American munich malt and bravo hops. This beer has continued to get more complex as it ages in stainless steel.

3. Wheatwine (10.2% abv) 11/8/23

Mari loved the Wheatwine during the 2023 Barleywine Fest so much Jessica decided to make another one! Just over half wheat malt with Vienna malt as much of the barley portion and featuring Idaho 7 hops.

4. American Barleywine (1o.8% abv) 9/22/21

Same game, different year. ⅔ Great Western 2-row and ⅓ Weyerman Munich organic malts. A blend of Centennials and Pacific Gem hops. Aged beautifully!

5. American Barleywine (11.3% abv) 9/24/24

Probably the last time this beer will feature a blend of Centennials and Pacific Gem hops, because we can no longer get Pacific Gem hops, which were the base of many of our beers. Base of Proximity Pilsner and Weyerman Munich malts.

6. British-Style Barleywine (10.8% abv) 1/26/23

This batch of British Barleywine is so smooth – people seem to be catching on:) This recipe has 55 lbs of Chateau biscuit malt blended into the ⅓ Dingemans munich malt to enrich the ⅔ Warminster Pale Ale malt – still loads of First Gold hops.

7. British-Style Barleywine (11.3% abv) 11/14/23

Another supply chain evolution of this beer. Gambrinus Pale malt makes up the ⅔ foundation here with Dingemans Munich malt and one bag of Proximity Biscuit malt making up the rest. Lots of First Gold hops as always!

8. British-Style Barleywine (11.2% abv) 11/8/24

Probably the last batch to feature First Gold hops because nobody’s growing them organically anymore. Gambrinus Pale Ale malt, and Dingeman’s Munich malt. This beer has been plagued by supply chain and sourcing issues.

9. Ryewine (11% abv) 2/28/23

We loved our first batch so much, we brought it back. This year’s batch has 22% rye malt. Deceptively smooth, with a silky, velvety mouthfeel from the rye. Erika thinks the rye brings the perfect balance of pink peppercorn, floral and grassy – heralding warmer spring weather to come!

10. Extra Blonde Ale (10.5% abv) 2/26/25

It’s barleywine, but we call it Extra Blonde so you’ll drink it in the summer! First brewed as our 5th anniversary beer, this batch features hops from West Coast Hop Breeding (WCHB-102) that brings big fruity aromas and a touch of cedar. Blend of Proximity Pils and Great Western 2-row malts. The most substantial difference from American Barleywine is that it has no Munich malt, giving it a brighter, easier impression.

GUES. T BARLEYWINE BEERS:

11. Barrel-Aged Barleywine 2022 (13.9% ABV) – Delta Beer Lab

Barleywine aged in J Henry Bourbon Barrels. Pours a dark mahogany red. Aroma is dominated by black cherry & maple syrup with a touch of fresh-cut wood. Molasses, tart plum, & clove mask subtle notes of tobacco smoke & chocolate. You’ll get some heat from this boozy beer, but a medium body keeps an otherwise big beer from being overpowering.

12. Midwest Longhorn (12% ABV) – G5 Brewing

This beer all happened because of a Chicago beer festival run-in. Will from False Idol, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and Tim from G5 met tasting beers at FOBAB 2023. They stayed in touch. Tim visited Will at his brewery, and brewed a rye pilsner, then in the fall of 2024 Will came to G5 and brewed a version of his award winning barleywine. We combined the best of what Texas and Wisconsin are known for in this wonderful full bodied, full flavor barleywine.

13. The Lone Girl Barleywine (9.5% ABV)– Lone Girl Brewing Company

American Barleywine. 2024. This beer has medium hopiness and a rich maltiness, with the combined character of caramel and bread. Aged one year.

14. Barley Wine ’24 (9.8% ABV) – New Glarus Brewing Company

Our 2024 Barley Wine is an expression of our Wisconsin Terroir. Our Diploma Master Brewer, Daniel Carey, hand selected the Wisconsin Chinook hops that are the signature of this powerful beast of a brew. All perfectly balanced with the sweetness of selected Wisconsin malt. Savor this very big beer at 45° F and it will reward you with an open embrace.

15. Barrel- Aged British Elixir (9.7% ABV) – Starkweather Brewing Company

English Barleywine aged in Dancing Goat Rye barrels.

16. Moonface American Blonde Barleywine (10% ABV) – Working Draft Beer Co.

American Blonde Barleywine brewed with 100% Gambrinus Pilsner malt for a light golden hue and a dry crisp finish. Hopped aggressively with CGX Motueka, Czech Sladek and Cascade hops give citrus, spice and tropical fruit flavors.

17. Canadian Bachelor Party (9.5% ABV) – Youngblood Beer Co.

Barleywine Let’s list off the things that we know for sure. 1.) They gently dip each other in syrup. 2.) They scientifically test new denim fits. 3.) They engage in politeness competitions where there is no winner because they aren’t rude.4.) See picture on beer can for details.

British-Style Barleywine Release!

 

We love our barleywines, so we’re very excited for this latest batch of British-Style Barleywine! Bottles are available now, and we’ll be tapping this tasty big beer on Thursday 11/14. Stop by and enjoy it along side our American Barleywine if you dare. Training for our Annual Barleywine fest (3/21-22) begins NOW!!!

Barleywine Fest!

2025 Day 1 – Friday, March 21, 2025

2025 Day 2 – Saturday, March 22, 2025

 

 

Giant Jones Barleywine Fest is the 4th Saturday of March, always and forever.

Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate your love and dedication to the beautiful beer style we all know.

Barleywine Fest Tap List

1. Batch #1 Barleywine (2018) 10.9% abv : The very first batch through our brewhouse, because when you are ultimately a barleywine brewery you might as well just go for it! Featuring German Munich malt plus a blend of centennial & pacific gem like a typical batch of GJ American Barleywine, all put through an unrepeatable process. A 10 hour lauter, with less yield than desired, that was first-wort-hopped for the expected yield – we learned a lot that day (that became overnight). Yet, walking home just before dawn, once the yeast was pitched, Jessica said, “Well, that went rather well.” Shocked, Erika exclaimed, “Oh? Tell me more about that…” In all hope and optimism, Jessica said, “We made beer, and if it’s drinkable we can legally sell it to strangers. That’s like the whole thing!”

2. Wheatwine (5/17/20) 9.1% abv : A collaboration with Brasserie V & Longtable to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary. Over half wheat malt, with nutty American Munich malt and bravo hops. This beer has continued to get more complex as it ages in stainless steel.

3. Wheatwine (11/8/23) 10.3% abv : Mari loved the Wheatwine during the 2023 Barelywine Fest so much Jessica decided to make another one! Just over half wheat malt with Vienna malt as much of the barley portion and featuring Idaho 7 hops.

4. American Barleywine (9/26/23) 11.4% abv : Brewed just the way Jessica prefers it – and she thinks this might be the best batch yet! Features Centennial hops with a bit of Pacific Gem dancing across a blend of ⅓ Weyermann Munich malt and Proximity Pilsner malt.

5. American Barleywine (12/15/20) 11% abv : Would it surprise you to learn getting organic brewing ingredients was difficult in 2020? This batch of American Barleywine is uniquely formulated with what we could get our hands on at the time! We used ⅓ Chateau Munich malt, ⅔ Proximity Pilsner malt and a blend of Cascade, Bravo and Pacific Gem hops. Also, this is the last keg!

(GONE) 6. British-Style Barleywine (11/10/21) 10.3% abv : This was the last batch we made with Warminster Maris Otter malt – can’t get it anymore. Also includes Dingemans Munich malt and lots of First Gold hops!

(GONE) 7. British-Style Barleywine (1/26/23) 10.8% abv : This batch of British Barleywine is so smooth – people seem to be catching on:) This recipe has 55 lbs of Chateau biscuit malt blended into the ⅓ Dingemans Munich malt to enrich the ⅔ Warminster Pale Ale malt – still loads of First Gold hops.

8. British-Style Barleywine (11/14/23) 11.3% abv : Another supply chain evolution of this beer. Gambrinus Pale malt makes up the ⅔ foundation here with Dingemans Munich malt and one bag of Proximity Biscuit malt making up the rest. Lots of First Gold hops as always!

9. Ryewine (3/1/22) 10.4% abv : Brewed in collaboration with Starkweather Brewing. Built to shine a spotlight on the 21% rye malt – that’s a lot of rye, btw! – in the grist. The rest is American pale malt, English pale ale malt plus a touch of melanoidin malt. There’s also Pacific Gem hops – big surprise!

10. Ryewine (2/21/24) 10.2% abv : There wasn’t enough organic pale malt available, so a blend of 37% pilsner, 27% pale and 15% Vienna malts lend supporting roles to the star: 21% rye malt. And of course Jessica’s favorite hops – Pacific Gem!

11. Extra Blonde Ale (5/9/23) 11.1% abv : Designed as a summer barleywine, yet we call it “Extra Blonde Ale” to sidestep the misunderstanding that barleywine is only a cold weather beverage. Give us barleywine always!!! Just Proximity Pilsner malt here with lots of the Taiheke hops usually reserved for DIPA. The hops will be different next time because the Taiheke are no longer available.

12. Kaves (12/5/23) 10.8% abv : A Belgian-style Multigrain-wine framing gets this beer into the party. It is also a good showcase for the historical practice of using a very long boil to build color and rich flavors like the first barleywines. In addition to Proximity Pilsner malt there is 20% raw oats and 10% raw wheat from Meadowlark Organics in Ridgeway, WI. This grist would have made a very pale yellow beer, but we boiled it for 4 hours to make this rich amber beer.

Guest Barleywines

13. Vintage Brewing Company Grain Train Kveik Barleywine (2020) 10% abv : This beer was brewed to commemorate their 10 year anniversary in 2020. Rich toffee and stone fruit notes begin to emerge from a heavy veil of hoppy citrus/pine, with bitterness and alcohol warmth beginning to mellow. This distinctive ale is purpose-built for extended aging.

14. Delta Beer Lab J. Henry Bourbon BA Barleywine (2022) 13.9% abv : 2-year J. Henry and Sons Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine (BA-BW’22)! This winter warmer comes in at a smooth 13.9% ABV with flavors of caramel and toffee, notes of raisin, and a touch of molasses.

15. The Lone Girl Brewing Company Barleywine (2024) 9.5% abv : This beer has medium hoppiness and a rich maltiness, with the combined character of caramel and bread. In addition there is a subtle alcohol warmth that lets you know that this beer is 9.5% abv.

16. Working Draft Beer Company Jim-Jams-English-Style Barleywine (2024) 10.4% abv : English-Style Barleywine brewed with Maris Otter, Crystal and Crystal Rye malts for big notes of toffee and caramel. English hops add a subtle herbal character and balancing bitterness. 10.4% ABV brings the heat and helps cut through the sweetness. Everything an English Barleywine should be!

 

Thanks for playing! See you at next year’s Barleywine Fest 3/22/25!