Barley Wine…well it’s not actually a wine, but the style of a very strong ale.  The style originally developed in England and was considered a drink for aristocracy and royalty, but a lot has changed since then.

Barley Wine as a style  is a very strong top fermented ale, and typically has an alcohol content ranging from 8.5% up to 14% or 15%.  With a beer as strong as the barley wine the flavors change as the beer warms showing it’s true complexity, and in proper conditions can be aged for years…and even gets better with age.

Due to the strength of barley wines they are typcially on the pricey side, especially in bars…but Brouwerij Lane has set up a Barley Wine tasting where you get two hours to enjoy samples of 10 of America’s finest. While the style originated in England I for one think the American’s do a damn good job brewing these beers, and have added their own signature to most of these brews….lots of hops (at least most of them have).

Brouwerij Lane’s Barley Wine Tasting:

• $25 for 4 ounce pours of 10 different barley wines.
• There are four sessions
  • Friday 2/19: 6-8 pm
  • Saturday 2/20: 3-5pm
  • Saturday 2/20: 6-8pm
  • Sunday 2/21: 3-5pm
    • sign up fast!  Saturday Night is almost full.
• The beer list above (on the flier) speaks for itself.  Some of my personal favorite barley wines will be present…including Great Divide’s Old Ruffian, Avery’s Hog Heaven, and the most well known of the bunch Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot.
• It is my understanding that this tasting will start from the maltiest and finish with a the hoppiest…this way you don’t burn your tounge out on a hop bomb.
• make sure to take the train or have money for a car service because you should not drive after drinking 40oz of these beers.  it should be a real good time.
• this is a great introduction to the style, and the perfect event for the beer enthusiast that wants to learn more.  Brouwerij Lane has an extremely knowledgable and approachable staff…get in there and have some fun.

Brouwerij Lane is located at:
78 Greenpoint Avenue
(at the corner of Franklin Ave.)
Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

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• more on Brouwerij Lane here.
• more on beer in general here.