“What exactly is a barleywine?” Well, the answer’s not so simple, but I’ll do my best to explain it. The term “barleywine” dates back to the early 1900s in England, and originally referred to strong ales high in alcohol content. They were called “barleywines” because they were often as strong as wine but made from grain, not grapes. Besides a high ABV, there are no other characteristics specific to barleywines, but they’re often full of intense, complex flavors.
Something exciting is happening at Mad Fox Brewing Company! On Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27, Mad Fox Brewpub in Falls Church will be hosting its first ever Barleywine Festival (http://madfoxbrewing.com/barleywinefest/) featuring two brand new beers from their award-winning brewer, Bill Madden. Mad Fox will be unveiling their Slobberknocker American-style Barleywine and Headnocker English-style Barleywine at the Festival, and as a special treat, they will also have several fantastic barleywines on draught and cask from a variety of other breweries.
So right now you might be asking, “What exactly is a barleywine?” Well, the answer’s not so simple, but I’ll do my best to explain it. The term “barleywine” dates back to the early 1900s in England, and originally referred to strong ales high in alcohol content. They were called “barleywines” because they were often as strong as wine but made from grain, not grapes. Besides a high ABV, there are no other characteristics specific to barleywines, but they’re often full of intense, complex flavors.
Barleywines are typically broken down into two categories, English barleywines and American barleywines. What we now call English barleywines are beers similar to the original barleywines brewed in England over 100 years ago. They are usually more balanced between hops and malt than their American counterparts, and are lower in alcohol content (7%-12%). The American version, on the other hand, is often a more alcoholic (8%-15%), hop-forward beer, a bit like an IPA on steroids. Regardless of which category a barleywine might fall into, it’s probably going to pack a ton of flavor into every sip. There’s also so much variety within the style that no two barleywines are likely to ever be the same.
The complete list of barleywines that will be available at the festival is below:
- Mad Fox Slobberknocker American-style Barleywine draught and cask
- Mad Fox Headknocker English-style Barleywine draught and cask
- Heavy Seas Below Decks English-style Barleywine cask – 10% ABV
- A L’abri De La Tempête Brewery Corps Mort Barleywine – 9% ABV
- Avery Hog Heaven Barleywine – 9.2% ABV
- Brooklyn Brewing Monster Ale Barleywine 2007 – 10.3% ABV
- Brooklyn Brewing Monster Ale Barleywine 2010 – 10.3% ABV
- Climax Brewing Company Barleywine – 10% ABV
- Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine – 15% ABV
- DuClaw Devil’s Milk American-style Barleywine – 11% ABV
- DuClaw Devil’s Milk American-style Barleywine aged in Jack Daniels Barrels – 11% ABV
- Oliver Breweries Hot Monkey Love Barleywine – 9.8% ABV
- Stone Brewing Company Old Guardian Barleywine – 11.3% ABV
- Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot Barleywine – 11.1% ABV
- Williamsburg Alewerks Grand Illumination Barleywine – 11% ABV
For more information please visit Mad Fox Brewing.com
Feel free to drop us a comment. What’s your favorite barleywine ?
