Barley wine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Barley wine
Barley wine ranges in colour from translucent deep amber, to cloudy mahogany (left), to near opaque black (right).
Country of origin	England
Yeast type	Top-fermenting
Alcohol by volume	6–12%
Color (SRM)	8–22 (English) 10–19 (American) (24–48 EBC)
Bitterness (IBU)	35–70 (English) 50–120 (American)
Original gravity	1.080–1.120
Final gravity	1.018–1.030 (English) 1.016–1.030 (American)
Malt percentage	100%

Barley wine is a type of strong ale. It has a higher alcohol content, usually between 6% and 12% alcohol by volume. Even though it has "wine" in its name, it is a beer because it is made from grain, not fruit.

History of Barley Wine

An old advertisement for Bass' No.1 Barley Wine.

The first beer to be called barley wine was Bass No. 1 Ale. This happened in England around the year 1870.

Later, in 1976, the Anchor Brewing Company brought this style to the United States. They named their beer Old Foghorn Barleywine Style Ale. They wrote "barleywine" as one word. This was because they worried that using the word "wine" on a beer label might cause problems with rules and laws.

In 1983, another company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, released Bigfoot Barleywine. This was the second barley wine to be sold in the United States.

What Makes Barley Wine Special?

Barley wine usually has an alcohol strength of 6% to 12%. It gets its strength from a lot of sugars used during brewing. It's called "wine" because its alcohol level is similar to some wines. But remember, it's a beer because it's made from grain, not fruit.

In the United States, breweries often release barley wine once a year. This usually happens in the autumn or winter.

Different Styles of Barley Wine

There are two main types of barley wine:

• American style: This type often tastes more like hops and can be more bitter. Its color can be amber or light brown.
• English style: This type is usually less bitter and might not have much hop flavor. It comes in many colors, from reddish-gold to very dark, almost black.

For a long time, British barley wines were always dark. But in 1951, a brewery in Sheffield called Tennant's made an amber-colored barley wine. They named it Gold Label.

Some barley wines, like Thomas Hardy's Ale, have a production date on their label. This is because they are meant to be aged. Aging them for a long time can make their flavors even better.

Wheat Wine: A Close Relative

A different version of barley wine is called wheat wine. This style uses a lot of wheat in the brewing process. It first appeared in the United States in the 1980s.

See also

In Spanish: Barley wine para niños