Despite its name, a Barleywine (or Barley Wine) is very much a beer, albeit a strong and often intense beer. In fact, it's one of the strongest styles. Lively and fruity, sometimes sweet, sometimes bittersweet, but always alcoholic. A brew of this strength and complexity can be a challenge to the palate. Expect anything from an amber to a dark brown color, with aromas ranging from rich fruits to bold hops. The body is typically thick, alcohol will definitely be perceived, and flavors range from dominant dark fruits to palate smacking, resiny hops. English varieties are quite different from American efforts, which are often heavily hopped with high alpha oil American hops to create a more bitter brew. English versions tend to be more rounded and balanced with a slightly lower alcohol content, though this is not always the case. Most Barleywines can be cellared for years and will age much like wine.
English Barley Wine
The name "British-style Barleywine" [more commonly referred to as "English"] represents a group of strong ales that rival the strength and complexity of some of the world’s most celebrated beverages. This brawny, malt-forward beer style is often one of the strongest beer styles on any given beer menu, and showcases a complex melange of toffee and fruit flavors counterbalanced by warming alcohol and sturdy hop bitterness. The Barleywine beer style is a sipper, enjoyed responsibly, stylishly—preferably in front of a fire in a comfy chair amongst a plethora of leather-bound books.
Quadrupel or Quad
Inspired by the Trappist brewers of Belgium, a Quadrupel is a Belgian-style ale of great strength with even bolder flavor compared to its sister styles Dubbel and Tripel. Typically a dark creation that plays within the deep red and ruby brown end of the spectrum with garnet hues it is a full bodied beer with a rich, malty palate and spicy phenols than are usually kept to a moderate level. Sweet on the palate with a low bitterness yet well perceived alcohol, Quads are well suited to cellaring.
