IT’S getting to that time of the year when the seasoned beer drinker will start seeking the stronger and smoother ales – “If it’s not barrel-aged to within an inch of its life or hasn’t got an abv in the double digits, I’m not interested.”
And so, we have seen the trend for special seasonal releases from breweries, eager to give their customers a little festive warmth. A barrel-aged imperial stout usually does the trick, and is usually my tipple of choice for tackling a Christmas cheese board (it goes best with blue cheese, in case you’re wondering).
We’ve also seen the revival of the barley wine. Despite the name, these are still ales, but rival their grape-based counterparts for strength and body.
When they first came on the scene in the middle of the 18th century in England, barley wines proved quite expensive to produce and so became the preserve of the aristocratic classes. Nowadays you don’t need to own a second home in the country to imbibe barley wine but a good 500ml bottle will set you back anywhere between £7 and £10.
However, you need to factor in that you’re getting considerably more bang for your buck here, while, in some cases, supporting a local producer.
Harmonic Convergence, a collaboration between Galway Bay and Boundary, is a seasonal barley wine which has proved popular in recent years – so much so that the 2019 version is like the proverbial hen’s teeth. If you can find a bottle, grab it as it won’t disappoint.
However, Galway Bay aren’t the only western wonders churning out this robust style of ale. White Hag have joined forces with English beermakers Brew By Numbers to produce No 40. Although there is barley in the malt bill, this one features a hefty dose of rye too, meaning they’ve billed it as a barrel-aged rye wine.
The beer itself pours a murky mahogany colour in the glass, with a slight tan head which doesn’t stick around too long – not a surprise considering it clocks in at 13 per cent.
There are aromas of brown sugar and molasses, so it comes as no great surprise that those flavours follow through into the first sip (yes, there’s no way you’re gulping this).
There are also flavours of fig and dark fruits, and a nice nip of warming spice from the rye – although the shear booziness of it all does a fine central heating job too.
