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fairStateBrewingCooperative_lifeAin'tFair

Life Ain't Fair

Fair State Brewing Cooperative

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Minneapolis, MN


Tavour Rating

3.93

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Style

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English Barleywine

ABV

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14.8%

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A Note on This Beer

If life were fair, my nephews would have two of every toy, dogs could eat steak whenever they wanted, and all of us boozy beer fans would have constant access to today’s Barleywine.

But, Life Ain’t Fair. My nephews fight, dogs have to beg, and this limited-edition brew will be gone in no time! That’s why I jumped on the opportunity to share this 14.8% ABV behemoth with all of you — it won’t last long once Minnesota’s craft faithful get wind of it. 

Those fortunate few to snag an early taste have probably already scooted back into Fair State’s taproom for seconds. Like @John L., who calls it “a boozy truffle.” Or @Maxwell P., who says simply, “I’m a Barleywine boy now.”

Those folks get to bask in the toffee, caramel, and malty chocolate flavors of this boozebomb, and you don’t even have a drop! How’s that for unfair?

Luckily, it’s a problem you can solve right now. Then, the next time life treats you a little mean — like if your candy bar gets stuck in the vending machine or you find a red sock amongst your newly pink laundry — you can open this can and discover your smile again. 

As @Jack M. puts it, “life ain’t fair, but this beer makes it a little better.” 

City Pages named Fair State the Best Brewery in the Twin Cities!

Holiday shopping is easy with Tavour! Just head over to Tavour.com/gifts to send a gift box or gift card to the craft beer lover in your life. Cheers to holiday beers!

Tavour strictly supports independent beer. Fair State Brewing Cooperative is certified independent by the Brewers Association


Reviews

3.93

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300 Ratings

IowaShaver

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4.25
Complex and rich, very smooth drinking.
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IAmFu

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4.25
Chocolate caramel malty thick boozy goodness.
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mathieux68

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4.0
At 14.8% I assumed that this was barrel aged, which would be nice. Smooth, sweet, toffee.
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NotGeoh

star star star star star
3.75
Smooth taste.
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todd1086

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4.0
Smooth drinking, tasty
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Corey23x

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5.0
smooth and rich. maybe the best beer I've received thus far. absolutely delicious and easy to drink with a high ABV
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cory14

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3.25
A touch too sweet and a bit dry on the end. But at least it does try to be a true to form English barleywine
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Mattd5454

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4.75
Pretty good and worth aging if you have more than one. Clean malty booze noise. Delicious taste. Loves this beer.
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drew855

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5.0
What a big chewy barleywine... would crush these all day until I laid there in a #BIL haze of contentment
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rbsierrajr

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4.0
Loved this one.
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loudmacleod

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4.25
Smooth and silky. Sweet notes of chocolate, caramel and toffee on the tongue. Beautifully boozy.
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clayton373

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3.0
Very heavy. Strong.
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DrZo

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3.5
Yeah, this one didn’t quite work for me. Maybe my palate has been spoiled by having too many BA Barleywines. I found this to have a pretty non-existent body and a very sweet, faintly raisiny, caramel flavor that lacked the complexity I’ve grown accustom to with this style.
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m11140

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4.0
Good representation of style, though maybe just a bit on the side of sugary sweet. Definitely would like to try a BA version. Appreciate being able to get barleywine styles as there aren't many available.
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sadie50

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2.5
This is only the second barley wine beer I’ve had and I’m starting to think they’re just not for me. This one was much better then the other one however. Such a cute can.
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Barry

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4.25
Love this. Deep, dark, smooth, sweet and boozy with a wonderful toffee flavor
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brandon5285

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4.75
I agree that this Barleywine is close to perfection. It's one of my favorite styles and I'm glad I got two of them this time around.
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bergenbeerguy

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4.25
def would love a BA version of this
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3

sean104

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4.0
Solid but the lack of BA like Arctic Devil is down .25 because it lacks the complex flavors of Arctic devil
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moopqoom

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3.5
Tasty and smooth but wish it had a bit more complexity to balance the sweetness.
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jgtime

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4.25
All I can say is I wish I bought more than two.
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joe187

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2.0
Not a fan of the barleywine
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JellyMan196

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4.25
Good blend of flavors. Barrel aging would make this even better
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ontogreater

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3.25
Very strong prune/plum/cherry-like taste for me. It was sweet and bold on the front end, with a woody finish. Probably a solid choice overall, but just not my preferred flavor profile.
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matthew3854

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3.75
Good
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SweetNSaurSauce

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3.5
I found out I do not care for barleywine. Very thick and strong taste.
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kevalv

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4.0
Good barleywine. Good amount of sweetness and maltiness
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CarolineKL

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4.5
Full bodied, smooth, right flavors of ripened plums
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RabidLlama

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3.0
Something was off with my can. Low carbonation. :(. I can see where this could be really good.
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brian2413

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3.5
Sharp finish. Could use BA.
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athalyah

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4.0
This was alright
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daniel5048

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5.0
Very good beer! Solid, thick. Toffee, malty, caramel like the description. Recommend. Better than expected. Cheers!!
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steve1339

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4.25
Very Sweet. Raisin. Caramel. Boozy.
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Cannadycannady

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3.5
Very sweet. Lots of toffee.
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Huskyheadcp

star star star star star
4.0
Can tell it would be even better as a BA
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Illy

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3.75
Very tasty and great finish
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9xFox

star star star star star
4.0
Solid, nothing crazy, and altogether well brewed.
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sara1068

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1.0
It tasted like I poured my wine into my beer. Not a fan.
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Elmannymoreno

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4.5
Personally one of my favorites, great body MILKY and THICK enough to enjoy since it's a 14.8 ABV and an excellent price.
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Kmpease

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3.5
Solid
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korie6

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2.5
Packaging is cool, concept is cool, probably a great barley wine but not my favorite style.
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HoppyDaze

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3.75
Great toffee notes, but a bitter balance and/or some barrel aging would put it over the top
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faustorfamine

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4.0
One of the smoothest barleywines I've had
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Plusultra5901

star star star star star
5.0
Perfect barleywine for me
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JKutch

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4.25
Holy cow...this is a big one!
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adam1673

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4.5
Sweet barley beer that packs a punch
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braker649er

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4.0
I thought this was great. Very sweet and also robust. Can’t imagine what a BA version would be like... this is at 14.8% as it is!
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jonathan3731

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3.5
Dark, smooth, and sweet. Enjoyable drink.
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Wrightsci

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4.0
Never had a barley wine before and I was pleasantly surprised. Reminded of Leffe. Big carmel taste.
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peter1261

star star star star star
5.0
Fantastic!! Toffee and caramel bomb, well hidden alcohol and not cloying. Loved it!!!
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