A Barley Wine is a treat for the malt lovers, offering a big, thick, sticky malt body. A traditional English style would have low hop bitterness. Often a beer for the sweet-tooth, they are a prefect dessert beer to sit on and sip at the end of the night.
As seems to happen, the US takes a traditional style and adds a US touch. That is, US hops. So the American style Barley Wine is a big malty body with a fruitier and punchier edge to the hop character.
Kees! American style Barley Wine uses Cascade and Citra hop.
The result is a dark reddish-brown beer with a dense body. The aroma is full of bready malts and over-ripe fruits. The taste is full of caramel malts, dark dried fruits, a touch of citrus and earthy bitterness.
The finish is long and semi-sweet. It is a beer that will evolve as it warms up, so one to sip and savour.