Barley wine is a strong English ale style with alcohol content typically between 8.0-12.0%. It originated in England during the 18th-19th centuries as an alternative to French wines.
History
Barley wine emerged in England during the 18th-19th centuries when frequent wars with France led British military and aristocrats to favor strong ales over French wines. The first commercial barley wine was Bass Ale No. 1, introduced in 1870. This beer is aged in wooden barrels for one to two years, acquiring wine-like characteristics through prolonged aging and contact with wood.
Types and styles
There are two main types of barley wine. English barley wine has moderate hop bitterness, colors ranging from red-gold to black, and a rich fruity flavor. American barley wine emphasizes hop bitterness and flavor, with colors from light amber to copper, and often features citrus and resinous notes from American hop varieties.
How it is made
Barley wine is a strong ale that is aged in wooden barrels for one to two years. The English version uses English hop varieties like Northdown, Target, East Kent Goldings and Fuggles, along with English pale and caramel malts. The American version uses American hop varieties, both pale and dark malts, and American yeast strains.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Барливайн, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Styles and varieties
- Thomas Hardy's Ale