What is this concoction?! Is it a wine? Is it a beer? Surprisingly, it is actually a beer and it is one of the most intimidating styles out there--very high in alcohol and very malt forward. It also has a long, rich history dating back to ancient Greece and continuing throughout modern-day America.

In ancient Greece, barleywine was a grain-based fermented beverage, but differed from modern barleywines, especially in one key ingredient: hops. Hops were not used in beers of that time period, so these barleywines were likely extremely sweet and loaded with local herbs and spices.

The modern barleywine style comes to us from England in the 1800s. The English nobles “required” a beverage that was higher in alcohol than the average beer during times of war with France, when France would stop trading with England. The master brewers of England tackled the task with ease and unknowingly created what would become a favored style even to this day.

English barleywines are typically 8-12% ABV, are gold to dark brown and are extremely malty with caramel flavors shining through. Some excellent English barleywines are Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot and Anchor Old Foghorn. American barleywines are also 8-12% ABV but are slightly different, as we have a taste for a lot more hops in our beers. They are typically amber in color and hoppy, but not as hoppy as an Imperial IPA. Some excellent American barleywines are Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and Dogfish Head Olde School.

Some breweries even sell their barleywines with vintage dates on them for your aging pleasure, with many of them being ageable well past five years. Serve lightly chilled in a snifter or a wine glass. Happy barleywining! Cheers!

Alex Smith, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Beer Consultant

Follow him on Twitter @abcbeeralexs