Alaskan Brewing Barleywine Returns For 2013

Juneau, Alaska (December 5, 2013) – The 2013 Alaskan Barley Wine Ale will hit stores this week in the 15 states where Alaskan Brewing distributes beer. A big, bold beer, the Alaskan Barley Wine has been brewed strong enough to keep folks warm even on the coldest Alaska winter days.

“For this year’s Barley Wine, we sourced all of our hops from Oregon, and I think that has made a real difference in the aroma and taste,” said Brian Ross, Production Assistant at Quality Assurance for the brewery. “The Oregon-grown cascade hops are very elegant and floral and that makes this Barley Wine extremely drinkable immediately.”

Alaskan Barley Wine is a full-bodied ale, deep mahogany in color and brewed with an array of complementing malts to achieve its high original gravity. Multiple hop additions in the boil and dry hopping during fermentation provide contrast to the big malt character resulting in the smooth balance that distinguishes this specialty brew.

Ross said the barley wine is a beer that can be enjoyed now, with the bright hop profile, or can be cellared to bring out a richer malt flavor. “I would say our Barley Wine ages best over the first 3 years or so, where there will be a mellowing of taste and aroma, and a smoother flavor coming to the foreground,” he said. “This beer has a very complex caramel malt flavor, with a nutty taste and cocoa notes.”

Ross recommends storing Barley Wine at 50 degrees or lower for best aging. Many Alaskan fans get a few bottles and open them at intervals – six months, a year, two years. Over that amount of time, the flavor will change significantly.

Alaskan Barley Wine has been produced in limited edition vintages each year since its introduction at the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival in 2003. Now produced as part of the Alaskan Pilot Series, Alaskan Barley Wine (formerly Alaskan “Big Nugget” Barley Wine) has gained a strong following in Alaska and elsewhere. A multiple award-winning beer, the Alaskan Barley Wine has received medals in the World Beer Cup, and most recently won a gold medal in the 2012 West Coast Brew Fest in the Strong Ale category.

Alaskan Barley Wine Ale
ABV: 10.7%, 65 IBU, 50 SRM, OG: 1.103
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