On our recent trip to Reuben’s Brews, we tried Barnacles, the massive English-Style Barleywine brewed by Seattle’s Reuben’s Brews in collaboration with the legendary Alan Sprints of Hair of the Dog.
Now, before continuing, wee want to share that the WeeBeers philosophy on rating craft beer is that we don’t hand out perfect scores like candy. In our world, a 3.5 out of 5 isn’t “average”, it’s a solid, “I’d definitely order another glass” recommendation. It’s the sweet spot where craftsmanship meets drinkability.
A Craft Beer Collaboration Heritage Heavyweight
Barnacles was born to celebrate Reuben’s 10th anniversary, and it brings all the muscle you’d expect from two PNW icons. At 11.75% ABV, this isn’t a beer you drink while mowing the lawn. This is a “sit by the fire and ponder your life choices” kind of brew.
Why Reuben’s Brews Barnacles Earned a Solid 3.5 Caps on Untappd
Wee don’t believe that everything is either a “whale” or a “drain pour” and in fact, Barnacles stands its ground as a high-quality, dependable sipper. Here are some of the highlights:
- The Flavor Profile: It’s a literal liquid bakery. We’re talking deep layers of toffee, dates, and caramelized figs.
- The “Hair of the Dog” Touch: You can taste Alan Sprints’ influence in the fruity esters, think baked banana and golden raisins.
- The Balance: While many Barleywines can be cloyingly sweet, the 60 IBUs of East Kent Golding hops provide a sturdy, earthy backbone that keeps the sugar in check.
- Traditional Roots: It doesn’t rely on “pastry” gimmicks. It’s just malt, hops, water, and yeast doing some very heavy lifting.
The WeeBeers Verdict
“Barnacles is ‘Old School’ cool. It’s big, it’s bold, and it warms you from the chest out. It’s a 3.5 because it does exactly what it sets out to do: honor a decade of brewing with a recipe that feels timeless.”
While it might be a bit too intense for the casual lager drinker, for the malt-lovers among us, this is a highly successful collab. It’s a sturdy, well-constructed beer that reminds us why we fell in love with craft brewing in the first place.
Clark believes that the best professional relationships are built on shared experiences and a bit of fun. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Clark has been a vocal advocate of the local craft beer scene for years. He enjoys exploring the unique flavors and community-driven atmosphere of Washington’s and Oregon’s many breweries while working through the complex software architecture opportunities presented by social interaction. After a hard day of work, Clark can often be found on the karaoke stage any day of the week belting out 80’s rock and heavy metal tunes while bringing the same passion and energy to his performances as he does to his startups; valuing confidence, engagement, and the power of a good song and a bourbon barrel aged beer to bring people together.
