Barley Wine (also known as barleywine) is actually a beer. The full-bodied strong brew has a rich copper to dark red-brown hue and a medium hoppiness. A considerable amount of malt contributes to the beer's nutty, toasted, caramel flavours, while hops and yeast offer background flavour and body. American barley wines are typically hoppier, whilst British versions are more balanced and mellow. The high alcohol content of barley wine gives it a boozy flavour, and the brew is especially suitable for maturity. The beer's complex flavour profile and proclivity for cellaring are reminiscent of wine, therefore the name.
Origins of barley wine
The ancient Greeks drank a fermented beverage that had the same alcohol concentration as wine but was prepared from barley rather than grapes. The term "barley wine" first appeared on the label of strong, malty ale in the early twentieth century, courtesy of the UK-based Bass brewing firm. The history of American barley wine begins in the mid-1970s when breweries such as San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Company began labelling their strongly flavoured ales with high alcohol levels with the appellation. Many brewers and taprooms now offer barley wine-style ales as part of their menus. They are frequently among the booziest, strongest-flavoured dishes on the menu.
Varieties of barley wine
Many brewers, from major multinational giants to quirky craft beer businesses, have experimented with barley wines. The quality and drinking experience of the outcomes varies greatly, and your preference will be determined by your personal preferences. As you begin your barley wine journey, concentrate on two varieties.
• English barley wine is the first modern variant of the beverage, dating back to the early twentieth century. The drink is known as "strong ale" or "old ale" in the United Kingdom. Heavy, sugary, and complexly flavoured beers are to be expected, with fruity esters adding to the overall flavour character. British Barley wines are often light on hop flavour, but they have a high ABV, so take it slowly.
• American barley wine shares many features with its English counterpart, including malt qualities, ABV, and colour. American barley wine provides a strong hoppiness to this combination. This hoppy flavour works in counterbalancing the sweetness of barley wine, but it also results in a more intensely flavoured beer, which can be overwhelming to people unfamiliar with it. If you like the hoppiness and high alcohol content of American barley wine, you might like imperial IPAs, which share flavour, high alcohol content, and dark colour with most barley wines.
Food pairings
The rich and nuanced flavour of barley wine makes it an ideal digestif to mix with after-dinner meals. Serve the ale with strong cheeses such as stilton, as well as various cheese plate options such as toasted nuts and dried fruit. Rich treats, like as spicy truffles or chocolate cake, go well with the sipper.