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FAQ Barleywine
What does a craft Barleywine beer taste like?
A craft Barleywine beer has a very rich, thick, and sweet taste, making you feel like you are eating a dark fruit dessert. When you savor a Barleywine beer, you instantly notice sweet figs, raisins, brown sugar, and lots of caramel syrup. Because of the high alcohol, an artisanal beer of this type will beautifully warm your chest after every sip. You do not drink it because you are thirsty, but for the pleasure of the fine taste that stays with you.
What is a Barleywine beer?
Barleywine beer is practically the fine wine of the beer world, being a luxury drink that is incredibly strong and flavorful. A craft Barleywine beer has as much alcohol as wine, but is made entirely from grains and hops, not from grapes. This artisanal beer offers massive richness in the glass, making it an expensive, fine drink that must be sipped slowly, drop by drop. It is definitely the crowning achievement of any passionate craft brewer.
What is the difference between a Barleywine and an Imperial Stout?
Even though both are extremely strong, the difference between a Barleywine beer and a Stout comes down to the grains used. A craft Barleywine beer is copper or brown and pushes sweet aromas of brown sugar, raisins, and rich caramel. In contrast, an Imperial Stout is black as night and has a clear taste of roasted coffee and dark bitter chocolate. Basically, Barleywine beer is the dark fruit dessert, while Stout is the heavy coffee dessert.
What types of craft Barleywine beer exist?
Generally, the Barleywine beer world is split into two classic variations that are highly appreciated by beer lovers. There is English-style craft Barleywine beer, which is darker, very sweet, and relies entirely on the pure taste of malt. Then there is the American-style Barleywine beer, which uses more hops and has a little bitterness at the end to cut the sweetness. You can also easily find versions aged in wooden barrels, which taste simply phenomenal.
What is the alcohol level of a Barleywine beer?
A Barleywine beer has the highest alcohol level in the regular craft beer world, ranging from 9% up to over 15%. This huge alcohol level makes a craft Barleywine beer feel on the tongue almost like a fine liqueur or a good cognac. You cannot drink an artisanal beer like this fast or in large amounts, one single bottle being enough for a whole night. Its warmth perfectly heats up the body on a very cold winter day.
Why is Barleywine beer more expensive?
Barleywine beer has a higher price tag because it is very hard to make and requires huge amounts of premium ingredients. To reach that big alcohol level, a craft Barleywine beer uses three times more grain than a normal everyday beer. On top of that, this artisanal beer sits and rests for many months or even years in the brewery before hitting the shop. You are essentially paying for time, pure quality, and lots of patience from the brewer.
Can you age a craft Barleywine beer for years?
Absolutely, a Barleywine beer is one of the very few beers in the world that you can age in a cellar for 5 to 10 years. Just like a good red wine, a craft Barleywine beer evolves beautifully if kept in a cool and dark place in the bottle. Over time, the alcohol in an artisanal beer calms down, any bitterness fades, and the flavors become softer and much sweeter. It is a brilliant gift to buy now and open many years later for a special occasion.
How do you choose the best Barleywine beer for you?
When you want to buy a really good Barleywine beer, check to see if the beer has rested in special wooden barrels (Barrel-Aged). A craft Barleywine beer that sat in rum, bourbon, or wine barrels will have amazing notes of vanilla, oak, and coconut. Buy the slightly more expensive bottles with an open heart, because an artisanal beer in this category is always made to impress. Make sure you have time to relax when you drink it, it is not a quick beer.
What food pairs well with an artisanal Barleywine beer?
Because it is so incredibly strong, a Barleywine beer is usually served at the end of heavy meals, as the ultimate treat. A craft Barleywine beer goes unrealistically well with nut-heavy desserts, sticky caramel cakes, or even a carrot cake. You can also place this strong artisanal beer next to a sharp, aged blue cheese for a fantastic sweet and salty mix. It is also perfect to be slowly enjoyed in total peace with a high-quality cigar.
Is a Barleywine beer suitable for beginners?
Honestly, a Barleywine beer is not recommended for people just learning to drink craft beer, because it is simply way too intense. The rich taste and the very warm alcohol of a craft Barleywine beer can easily scare off those who are not used to it. This artisanal beer is best understood by people who regularly drink fine whiskey, cognac, or heavy red wines. Beginners should first get used to easier beers, like a nice Amber Ale.
How should you properly serve a craft Barleywine beer?
For a Barleywine beer, the fridge is the enemy, so it must be drunk at room temperature, around 12 to 15 degrees. Always pour a craft Barleywine beer into a special tulip glass or a round cognac glass (snifter glass). Warm the glass with your hands while you drink, to help this artisanal beer release its sweet caramel and raisin aromas. Pour it slowly, in small amounts, and treat every single sip like a liquid dessert.