Barley wine

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Barley wine or Barleywine is a style of strong ale originating in England in the nineteenth century (derived from a style known as old ale) but now brewed worldwide. It typically reaches an alcohol strength of 8 to 12% by volume and is brewed from specific gravities as high as 1.120. It is called a barleywine because it can be as strong as wine; but since it is made from grain rather than fruit it is in fact a beer. In the United States barleywines are required for this reason to be called "barley wine-style ales." This is taken by some to imply that they are not truly barleywines; in fact it only means that they, like any barleywines, are not truly wines.

Their natural sweetness is usually balanced with a degree of hoppy bitterness. In some examples, the malt sweetness is also balanced by the bitter flavour of the alcohol.

This beer is meant for slow sipping and savoring of its estery, fruity, and well-aged character. It is brewed most often to celebrate events. Because of the high hop rate and alcohol content, some barley wines are aged for years.

Most barley wines range in colour from ambers to deep reddish-browns.

Barley Wine Statistics:

Original gravities: 1.090-1.120;
Alcohol: 8.5-12 percent;
Bitterness: 50-100 IBU (International Bitterness Units);
Color: 12-24 SRM (Standard Reference Method)

Examples

Canada

Olde Deuteronomy from Alley Kat Brewing Company

England

Elizabethan Ale from Harvey's
Golden Pride from Fuller's
Bass No 1 Barley Wine from White Shield Brewery
Old Tom from Robinson's
Old Nick from Young's
Gold Label from Whitbread

USA

Horn Dog from Flying Dog Brewery
Old Foghorn from Anchor Brewing Company
Bigfoot Ale from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Old Crustacean from Rogue Ales
Monster Ale from Brooklyn Brewery
Old Horizontal from Victory beer
Old Boardhead from Full Sail Brewing Company
Old Guardian from Stone Brewing Company

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