West Sixth Brewing Company - Burley Barleywine

Burley Barleywine is West Sixth’s ode to big, malt-driven beers that demand to be sipped and savored. Brewed in the English tradition, it showcases a malt bill loaded with rich, caramel and toffee-forward malts, then fermented slowly to coax out deep layers of flavor. The result is a beer that is equal parts warming, chewy, and complex — a true cold-weather companion and a perfect example of why barleywine has been called “the king of beers.”

On the pour, this beer is a showstopper: a deep mahogany color with brilliant ruby flashes when held to the light, topped by a persistent tan head that leaves a lacy ring on the glass as it slowly recedes. The aromatics are captivating — a swirl of burnt sugar, toffee, caramel, and dark fruit (figs, dates, raisins) that mingle with subtle molasses and a whisper of earthy hop spice. There’s even a faint nuttiness and sherry-like oxidative note hinting at the beer’s cellar potential.

Take a sip and you’ll find a full-bodied, velvety mouthfeel that coats the palate. Layers of flavor unfold in waves: first comes a burst of chewy caramel and toffee, then dried stone fruits, a touch of toasted bread crust, and finally a warming note of bourbon-like alcohol that lingers into the finish. The moderate hopping (usually English varieties) provides just enough bitterness to keep the malt sweetness in balance, while a hint of earthy, tea-like hop character adds depth. As the beer warms, the flavors deepen, revealing notes of hazelnut, burnt sugar, and even a slight tobacco-like spice — a subtle nod to its Kentucky “Burley” name.

This is a beer that rewards patience: take your time with it, let it warm in the glass, and you’ll be treated to a kaleidoscope of malt complexity and evolving aromas.

At 11% ABV, Burley Barleywine is built to age gracefully — expect its boozy edges to mellow and flavors to deepen over the next 1–3 years, developing richer toffee, fig, and port-like notes. Enjoy it now for its bold caramel and dark fruit punch, or cellar a few bottles and taste yearly to follow its evolution. Pair with indulgent desserts like sticky toffee pudding, pecan pie, or dark chocolate truffles, or go savory with sharp blue cheese or aged Gouda for a sweet-salty contrast that elevates both beer and food.

West Sixth Brewing hit our radar pretty early on after they were founded in 2012, and this sustainability-minded brewery in Kentucky has been making some exceptional beers that see very modest distribution. From their core year-round IPA (packed with Cascade, Centennial, Citra, and Columbus hops) to more occasional offerings, like their exceptional Christmas Ale and imperial stout releases, West Sixth has been continually knocking it out of the park. The brewery distributes in its home state of Kentucky and nearby Cincinnati, Ohio, but the local emphasis has also helped them grow in leaps and bounds over the past ten years.

In addition to world-class beers, we appreciate the mindfulness West Sixth shows toward the surrounding communities, as well as their efforts toward environmental sustainability. Along with supporting nonprofits through campaigns like Sixth for a Cause, Wooden Nickel, Pay It Forward Cocoa Porter, and Pedaling for a Purpose, the brewery also release a sustainability report each year—highlighting efforts in areas like farming and land management practices, resource utilization/recycling, charitable giving, and community involvement.

West Sixth currently operates four taprooms in Kentucky: the Main Taproom and Brewery in Lexington, West Sixth Nulu in downtown Louisville, West Sixth Box Park in Newport, and the West Sixth Farm in Frankfort – which is a 120-acre property on which West Sixth grows all kinds of different regional ingredients for their beers: hops, blackberries, and raspberries, along with barley, sorghum, squash, pawpaws, sugar beets, and chili peppers. Open seasonaly, the West Sixth Farm offers free property tours on the first Saturday of each month (including its trellised hop yard, cider/berry orchard, chickens, and catch-and-release fishing pond), an on-site taproom, weekend food trucks, and four-plus miles of mix-use trail system, the outer trails of which are open year-round. Learn more on the brewery’s website at westsixth.com.