Ale: Barley Wine Ale

Originally called “Strong Ale” in England, American specialty or “craft” brewers, interested in developing high alcohol content brews, have created a unique American style of barley wine. American style barley wine ale is not only a very strong, top-fermented ale, with an alcohol content that can range from about 8.5 percent up to 14 percent by volume, but is also more aggressively flavored than the original English version.

English style barley wine ale is traditionally high in alcohol content, ruddy copper to dark brown in color, and full bodied with deep residual malty sweetness. The essence of this brew is a complexity of sensations that involved warm alcohol and fruity-ester characters, balanced by the perception of low to medium bitterness, with a caramel and sherry-like aroma and flavor.