Horse Brass Pub 2nd annual Old Tavern Rat Barleywine Invitational
As they enter their 50th year the legendary Horse Brass Pub is celebrating their 2nd annual Old Tavern Rat Barleywine Festival with a new format in 2026. The British-style Portland pub was the birthplace to Beervana where the late publican Don Younger (aka the Old Tavern Rat) held court and nurtured the earliest American craft breweries into existence.
From Feb 16th through March 15th the Horse Brass will feature a flight of 6 different barleywines each week, rotating through 24 barleywines over 4 weeks. The public is invited to participate and receive a passport booklet to collect stamps for each week, at the finish completed passport holders will be treated to a complementary pour of the famously rare and expensive “A Deal With The Devil” barleywine from Anchorage Brewing.
Limited edition Old Tavern Rat commemorative t-shirts will also be available for $25 along with a selection of other collectible Horse Brass merch like the pub’s Britania t-shirt, knit beanie, ball cap, an actual horse brass, lapel pins, and stickers.
“The Horse Brass has supported the Craft Beer Industry since its founding in 1976, and likes to promote both classic and innovative beer styles and brewers. Barleywines have a storied history abroad, as well as here at home, but not all craft breweries are making this niche style,” says Horse Brass Pub owner and publican Jerry Fechter. “We'd like to contribute to the tradition of this classic English Beer style by honoring Don Younger, the HBP original owner and world famous Publican. Don loved small, curated beer events which brought people together for merriment and socialization. What better way to keep that spirit alive than with a festival named for his alter ego... The Old Tavern Rat!”
Here’s how it works:
*Each week Horse Brass will feature a flight for $25 of 3oz pours of 6 barleywines for you to sip on.
*Earn a stamp each week as they rotate through their collection of new and cellared Barleywines.
*Fill your entire passport and be rewarded with commemorative Old Tavern Rat Barleywine Glass and a 5oz pour of Anchorage Brewing “A Deal With the Devil”, 17.3% aged 11 months in Cognac barrels.
(Most featured Barleywines will be available as individual 10oz pours)
Week 1 Feb 16th – Feb 22nd
Sunriver Brewing: Wood Series: Bourbon Barrel
American Barleywine – 2024Alesong Brewing & Blending “Maestro”
English-style Barleywine Aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels – 13.9%Block 15 Brewing “Figgy Pudding”
English-style Old Ale Brewed with Black Strap Molasses, spiced with Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Allspice. Aged In Brandy Barrels – 13.5%Lompoc “Old Tavern Rat”
Deep Amber, Toffee, Caramel, Orange – 2017 – 9.7%Ferment Brewing Company: Oak Barrel Aged
Notes of Dried Fruit and Toffee – 12.4%Oregon City Brewing Co, “Ol’ Beauty”
English Barleywine, Notes of Caramel, Toffee, Fig – 10.75%
Week 2 Feb 23rd – Mar 1st
Sierra Nevada Brewing: Bigfoot
American Hoppy Barleywine with Cascade, Centennial and Chinook – 2025 – 9.6%Obelisk Beer “Beyond Oblivion”
English-style Barleywine – 12.7%Fort George “Etymology”
Blend of English, American, and Red Barleywines aged in Westward Whiskey and Russel Rye Barrels – 13.1%Breakside Brewery “LIFE Vol. 4”
English-style Barleywine – 9%Bouy Beer “Love Lost at Sea”
English-style Barleywine Aged 12 Months in Bourbon Barrels – 2024 – 12.4%Gigantic “Massive!”
Aged 2yrs In Bourbon Barrels. Caramel, Coconut, Dark Fruit, Toffee – 2024 – 14.3%
Week 3 Mar 2nd– Mar 8th
Away Days Brewing “Bucket Hat Bobby”
English-style Barleywine – 9%Sunriver Brewing “Not Tomorrow Yet”
Non-barrel Aged American Barleywine – 2024 – 10%Foreland Beer “Ol’ Swagger”
English-Style Barleywine. Notes of Dried Fruit, Toasted Caramel, Fruitcake – 2026 – 8.1%pFriem Family Brewers: Amaro
Aged 3 Months in Italian Amaro Casks. Notes of Toffee, Herbs, Dried Fruit, Citrus, Spice – 2026 – 12%Gigantic Brewing: Mezcal Barrel Aged
Van Didn’t Want to Let us Have this Keg, Ask Him Why the Next Time you See Him – 2019Machine House: Cask Conditioned Barleywine
English Style Barleywine – 2023 – 11%
Week 4 Mar 9th – March 15th
Firestone Walker “Sucaba”
English Style Barleywine Aged in Blantons & Weller Bourbon Barrels – 12.5%Fremont Brewing “Brew 7000”
Bourbon Barrel Aged English-style Barleywine – 2023 – 13.9%Ecliptic Brewing: Gin Barrel Aged Barleywine
Deep Golden, Molasses, Toffee, Orange, Juniper – 2022 – 13%Threshold “Svarog”
Deep Amber, Caramel, Star Anise – 13%McMenamin’s “Longest Night of the Year”
Barleywine Aged in Three Rocks Rum Barrels – 2025 – 12.5%Obelisk Beer “Oceans of Time”
Black Barleywine, - 2026
Old Tavern Rat Barleywine Invitational
Feb 16th through March 15th