BJCP 17D · Strong British Ale
English Barley Wine
The strongest English ale: intense malt with caramel, toffee and fruit, English hops and plenty of alcohol. It improves with years of aging and is sipped like a wine.
English Barley Wine by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 8.0 – 12.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 35 – 70 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 8 – 22 SRM16–43 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.080 – 1.120on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.018 – 1.030on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What English Barley Wine is like
A very strong ale, rich in malt, with caramel, toffee, fruit and noticeable alcohol. It has enough English hops to balance, but the malt is in charge.
Appearance
Deep gold to dark brown, often with ruby highlights. Off-white to tan head with low to moderate retention, and legs on the glass.
Aroma
Rich malt with caramel, toffee, bread and dark or dried fruit, alcohol and earthy or floral English hops. With age it picks up sherry or wine notes.
Flavor
Intense malt with caramel, toffee and fruit, moderate to high bitterness and a sweet to medium-dry finish. The alcohol is noticeable and warming.
Mouthfeel
Full body, sometimes chewy, with clear alcohol warmth. Low to moderate carbonation.
Where English Barley Wine comes from
English barley wines come from the strong ales of the 18th and 19th centuries, which were aged for a long time. The name caught on in the 20th century, when Bass gave it to its No. 1.
Ingredients
English pale ale malt with a little crystal, sometimes sugar to lighten the body. English hops such as Goldings, Fuggle or Challenger and an English yeast that tolerates high alcohol.
Brew it yourself
How to brew English Barley Wine at home
Make a large starter or oxygenate the wort twice, and ferment at 17-19 °C (63-66 °F), raising it a couple of degrees at the end so it finishes. Mash at 65-67 °C (149-153 °F) so it doesn't turn out cloying, and let it mature for several months before tasting it seriously. The classic mistake is a fermentation that stalls and leaves the beer sweet and heavy.
Food pairing
Stilton cheese, nuts or caramel desserts.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- J.W. Lees Harvest Ale
- Fuller's Golden Pride
Frequently asked questions
How strong is English Barley Wine?
Between 8.0% and 12.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a very high strength.
How bitter is English Barley Wine?
It has 35 to 70 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is English Barley Wine?
Amber to dark brown: 8 to 22 SRM (16 to 43 EBC).
What food pairs well with English Barley Wine?
Stilton cheese, nuts or caramel desserts.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Barleywine and Old Ale.
If you like English Barley Wine, try these
Classification and statistics: official English Barley Wine guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.