I haven't had a lot of different barley wines, perhaps 10 or less. I have mostly been unexcited by the style so far although I am impressed by its ability to intoxicate.
Lagunitas Brown Shugga is one of the style that I am willing to buy for when I am going to have a group of visitors.
I got good advice on Scotch Ale. Now I am looking for advice on widely available barley wines. What's good?

Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot is one that comes to mind. Readily available and very good IMO.

Some others you may be able to find based on what I think is available to you:

Stone Old Guardian
Great Divide's Old Ruffian
Firestone Sucuba

I've had the New Glaurus Barley Wine, but can't remember the name. I'm guessing that would have to involve a trade of some sort for you as they only sell in Wisconsin.

If you can get Flying Dog, they have a Barley Wine that's pretty good too.

Look for Epic Brewery Barleywine..tasty and 10.10%..good stuff. I've only seen it in bombers. Out of Utah so you should see it in Cali..it's here in Wisconsin.

I have had Bigfoot and gave it a passing grade. It's my own fault I haven't tried Old Guardian and Sucaba as they are California beers. Sucaba gets a 100 overall and a 100 within its style, from RateBeer. I'll be trying it shortly.
I can't remember having run across the Great Divide brand around here but then I wasn't looking for it either.
The New Glarus product is probably Tail Wagger. I just looked for one with a high ABV and clicked on it. It is a barley wine. I'll ask about it when I next get into a booze superstore.

The Flying Dog label does not look familiar but I'll remember to watch for it.

Checked the website of our California booze superstore (BevMo). No Epic Brewing, except for Epic Brewing in New Zealand.
Old Guardian is carried but I'll have to bug them about Sucaba.
Some Great Divide beers but not Old Ruffian.
Five Flying Dog beers but not Tail Wagger.

I'll watch the smaller stores too.

Firestone's Sucuba used to be called Abacus. They may have changed it back to the original spelling for all I know. What's the term for that, semordinlap?

Some of those may be seasonal and not on the regular list.

quote hooky: "Firestone's Sucuba used to be called Abacus. They may have changed it back to the original spelling for all I know. What's the term for that, semordinlap?

Some of those may be seasonal and not on the regular list. "

Just to let you know that someone was paying attention... and enjoyed. But, wouldn't the new spelling be 'Sucaba'?

quote schweady: "

quote hooky: "Firestone's Sucuba used to be called Abacus. They may have changed it back to the original spelling for all I know. What's the term for that, semordinlap?


Some of those may be seasonal and not on the regular list. "

Just to let you know that someone was paying attention... and enjoyed. But, wouldn't the new spelling be 'Sucaba'?
"

You are correct. I get something in my head and can't correct it.

Depends on if your looking for an American Barelywine or English Barleywine. Very different from one another. The English variety will be more toffee, caramel malt forward and the American variety will citrusy piney hop forward with a strong malt character. In my opinion North Coast (that's in your area) Old Stock Ale is by far my favorite barleywine. That would be an English variety. Rogue's Old Crustacean is a good American variety. Some breweries with notable barleywines, Victory, Bell's, Avery, and Deschute's Mirror Mirror.

One thing to remember with Barleywine's they shouldn't really be drank young. Some age on them will change the character drastically in some cases. It's kind of nice to buy up different vintages and see how they change over the years.

Here is a good resources for all styles and for each catagory it gives a commercial example:

BJCP 2015 Style Guidelines

quote AJ2008: "Depends on if your looking for an American Barelywine or English Barleywine. Very different from one another. The English variety will be more toffee, caramel malt forward and the American variety will citrusy piney hop forward with a strong malt character. In my opinion North Coast (that's in your area) Old Stock Ale is by far my favorite barleywine. That would be an English variety. Rogue's Old Crustacean is a good American variety. Some breweries with notable barleywines, Victory, Bell's, Avery, and Deschute's Mirror Mirror.


One thing to remember with Barleywine's they shouldn't really be drank young. Some age on them will change the character drastically in some cases. It's kind of nice to buy up different vintages and see how they change over the years.


Here is a good resources for all styles and for each catagory it gives a commercial example:


BJCP 2015 Style Guidelines "

I do see Old Stock on the shelves here and will be trying it.
English barleywine is of interest too. I will be at a family gathering in England this summer and a seventh cousin has vowed to give me a stronger acquaintance with English beers.

I discovered I had a fifth of Old Numbskull in the house. It has been going well with The Lone Ranger (Johnny Depp) and Tremors 5.
:))