Barley wine

Barley wine is a style of strong ale originating in Greece.

History

In ancient Greece, a style of fermented grain beverage was referred to as "κρίθινος οἶνος" (krithinos oinos), barley wine and it is mentioned amongst others by Greek historians Xenophon in his work Anabasis and Polybius in his work The Histories, where he mentions that Phaeacians kept barleywine in silver and golden kraters. These barley wines would be dissimilar to modern examples as their mention predates the use of hops (a key component in modern barley wines) by several centuries.

The first beer to be marketed as barley wine was Bass No. 1 Ale, around 1870.

The Anchor Brewing Company introduced the style to the United States in 1976 with its Old Foghorn Barleywine Style Ale. Old Foghorn was styled as barleywine (one word) out of fear that occurrence of the word wine on a beer label would displease regulators.

Characteristics

A barley wine typically reaches an alcohol strength of 8 to 12% by volume and is brewed from specific gravities as high as 1.120. Use of the word wine is due to its alcoholic strength similar to a wine; but since it is made from grain rather than fruit, it is, in fact, a beer.