From the Alexander Brewery in Emek Hefer comes the 2021 edition of their Barley Wine, among the strongest beer styles known. This one is 11.2% alcohol by volume, indeed similar to the alcoholic content of wine.
This
is the fourth annual edition of Alexander's Barley Wine, and the first to be
aged in barrels. It slept for six months
in ex-bourbon barrels, and 3,900 numbered bottles were released.
It
pours out a slightly hazy reddish-copper color, with no head and no visible
bubbles. The aromas and flavors are full
and complex. You get the bitter and the
sweet in good balance, with oak wood, whisky, coconut, vanilla, dark fruits and
dark chocolate. The texture is full body
and creamy, heated by the alcohol.
This
is a beer you should drink in little snifter glasses like brandy, and at room
temperature. It should go well with
especially robust foods, strong cheeses and even creamy desserts.
(Read about the first Alexander Barley Wine -- 2018 version -- here, and the 2019 version here.)
interesting
ReplyDeleteYou didn't mention any hop notes, so I assume this is more English style barleywine, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you there, Iron Mike. My old tongue didn't detect any hop presence. Thanks for pointing that out.
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