Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Style: American Barleywine
ABV: 9.6%
IBU: 90
Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot Barleywine Ale is a legend in the craft beer world. First brewed in 1983, it has become one of the most well known examples of an American-style barleywine. Unlike its English counterpart, which leans towards malty sweetness, Bigfoot is a hop-forward behemoth with an aggressive bitterness balanced by a rich malt backbone. Released annually as a winter seasonal, the beer is only available from January through April. However, Bigfoot ages extremely well, so you can stock up and enjoy it year round.
Appearance – 4.5/5
Bigfoot pours a deep reddish-brown with a dense, creamy tan head that lingers. Swirling the glass reveals excellent lacing and viscosity, hinting at the beer’s bold malt presence. The color is stunning when held up to the light, showing ruby highlights amid its darker caramel hues.
Aroma – 4/5
The nose is intense and complex, offering caramelized sugar, toffee, and dark fruit notes like raisins and figs. However, what sets it apart from traditional barleywines is the unmistakable presence of citrusy and piney American hops. The resinous, almost dank aroma from the Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook hops adds a dynamic contrast to the malt sweetness.
Taste – 4.5/5
Bigfoot’s flavor profile is a masterclass in balance and intensity. The first sip delivers a wave of caramelized malt, dark fruit, and toffee before being overtaken by a powerful wave of hop bitterness. The 90 IBUs are immediately noticeable, but they don’t completely overshadow the deep malt complexity. Notes of grapefruit rind, pine sap, and herbal spice from the hops provide a bold counterpoint to the beer’s sweet, chewy body. As it warms, a slight sherry-like oxidation can emerge, adding further depth.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
Full-bodied and chewy, yet surprisingly drinkable for a beer of its strength. The carbonation is moderate, providing enough lift to prevent it from feeling overly syrupy. The alcohol is well-integrated, though there is a warming sensation as it goes down, which is expected from a beer at nearly 10% ABV.
Finish – 4/5
The finish is long and resinous, with lingering bitterness and a touch of caramel sweetness. For those unaccustomed to highly hopped barleywines, the finish might seem a bit aggressive, but for hop lovers, it’s a welcome characteristic.
Overall Rating – 4.3/5
Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot is a classic for a reason. It’s bold, intense, and unapologetically hoppy, yet it still maintains a rich malt depth that keeps it from feeling one dimensional. While it may be too bitter for those who prefer traditional English barleywines, hopheads and fans of high-ABV, full flavored beers will find a lot to love. Its ageability adds another layer of intrigue, making it a beer worth buying in multiples…one for now, and a few to stash away for future enjoyment.
Ageability
Bigfoot is famous for its aging potential. Fresh, it’s a hop bomb with assertive bitterness, but over time, the hops mellow, and the malt shines through, developing notes of dried fruit, nutty toffee, and a smoother, vinous character. A vertical tasting (sampling different vintages side by side) can be a rewarding experience.
If you’ve had the 2025 version of Bigfoot, or any of the older vintages, please let us know what you thought about it in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply