BJCP 2021 / 22C
American Barleywine
A huge, sweet, hoppy sipping ale with deep malt and a long warm finish.
- Ages well
- very high strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- north america
Serve: 52 to 58F, Snifter
OG1.120
1.080 to 1.120FG1.030
1.016 to 1.030IBU120
50 to 100SRM40
9 to 18ABV14%
8.0 to 12.0%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Rich caramel, toffee and bread
- Hop aroma of citrus, pine or resin
- Dark fruit and sweet alcohol
- Vague
- Rich
- Better
- Toffee and hop with alcohol
- Best
- Intense caramel, toffee and bread with citrus and pine hop, dark fruit and sweet alcohol warmth
Appearance
3 pts- Amber to deep copper-brown
- Clear to bright
- Off-white to tan head, may be thin
- Vague
- Amber
- Better
- Deep amber with a tan head
- Best
- Amber to deep copper-brown, clear, off-white to tan head that fades to a thin ring
Flavor
20 pts- Big caramel and toffee malt
- Strong hop flavor and bitterness
- Long warming finish
- Vague
- Strong
- Better
- Toffee malt and big hop
- Best
- Intense caramel, toffee and bread malt with citrus and pine hop, high bitterness, long warming finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Full body
- Low to medium carbonation
- Smooth, warming
- Vague
- Thick
- Better
- Full and warm
- Best
- Full body, smooth and thick, strong alcohol warmth, low to medium carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Integrated alcohol
- Balance of malt and hop
Drops it
- Hot alcohol
- Syrupy sweetness
Writing tip
Judge how it ages. Example: 'Toffee malt and resin hop with smooth warmth. Nice balance for the size.'
Pour these
- BigfootSierra NevadaResinous hop over toffee malt
- Old CrustaceanRogue AlesRich malt and heavy bitterness
- Old FoghornAnchor BrewingPiney, bold and sweet. The brewery closed in 2023, so check for current bottles
Often confused with
- 17D English BarleywineEnglish Barleywine is less hoppy and more fruity
- 22A Double IPADouble IPA is paler and drier
Fine here
- Alcoholic: Strong warmth is expected
- Oxidized: A sherry note is tolerated in aged examples
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot fusels
- Diacetyl: Butter
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.