Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 2007 - Craft Beer Time

Back in 2007, I was really into the craft beer deal (I still am, but not nearly as much). The big names were what we chased and we were kids. When Bigfoot Barleywine release time came around, I grabbed a case. So how has Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 2007 held up? Find out.

Bigfoot Barleywine 2007

I’ve got at least a 6-pack in the cellar from that original case in 2007. It was fantastic at the time, and even over the years, but sadly, it’s really bad now.

Sierra Nevada still did twist-tops at the time (they even issued a statement about why they didn’t change and then why they did later) and the oxidation on this beer is sky-high. American Barleywine and some other styles do well with a bit of oxidation, but this one is far beyond that.

It pours a deep crimson in the glass, with just a bit of head of medium brown bubbles that don’t last long.

Aroma of copy paper and cherries. Big berry fruit.

There’s no carbonation as you sip fruity malt notes. Berry, light cherry, and oxidized bits of barnyard.

As much as I love this beer, is so sad to see this vintage has fallen off. Bigfoot is fantastic and has defined the style of American Barleywine for the entire craft beer world. But clearly almost 13 years was a bit too much time stashed away for this one. And honestly, there are very very few beers out there that’ll hold up that long.

Time To Retire This One

Beer is a perishable product. It doesn’t last forever and few get better with age. Most are made to drink fresh. Cellaring is a roll of the dice and one should never blame the brewer for how they turn out in the long-term.

Such is the case with this bottle of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 2007. I took a gamble on letting it sit for nearly 13 years and lost. I should have enjoyed it much sooner, when it was still spectacular. Experiment results are lessons learned.

Stay safe. And slam that barleywine.

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