Barley wine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barley wine or Barleywine is a style of strong ale originating in England in the nineteenth century (derived from the March or October beers of the 18th century) but now brewed worldwide. The term was originally coined around 1900 by Bass to refer to their No. 1 Ale. It is the strongest member of the Bitter Beer family of styles.
Contents |
[edit] Characteristics
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 barley wine 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 barley wines are required for this reason to be called "barley wine-style ales." This is taken by some to imply that they are not truly barley wines; in fact it only means that they, like any barley wines, 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.
[edit] Style 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)
[edit] Examples
[edit] Canada
- Olde Deuteronomy from Alley Kat Brewing Company
[edit] England
- Elizabethan Ale from Harvey's
- Golden Pride from Fuller's
- Bass No 1 Barley Wine from White Shield Brewery (brewed occaisionally)
- Old Tom from Robinson's
- Old Nick from Young's
- Gold Label from Whitbread
- Bodger's Barley Wine from Chiltern Brewery
[edit] Sweden
- Nils Oscar Barley Wine from Nils Oscar Bryggeri och Bränneri
[edit] 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 Brewing Company
- Old Boardhead from Full Sail Brewing Company
- Old Guardian from Stone Brewing Company
- Old Ruffian from Great Divide Brewing Company
- Burly Friar from Church Brew Works
- Below Decks from Clipper City Brewing Company
- Old #23 from Bristol Brewing Company
