Barleywine Extract Beer Recipe Kits
Barleywine is big, bold, and unapologetically rich. It's a beer built for slow sipping and long aging. Our barleywine extract beer recipe kits make it easy to brew high-gravity ales packed with deep malt complexity, warming alcohol, and layers of flavor that evolve over time. Although barleywines may vary between English or barrel-aged American styles, all barleywines improve with aging, so your patience will be a virtue.
Our extract beer kits are a great fit for beginner and intermediate brewers using just about any home brew kit. If you need gear, check out our beer-making equipment kits — they pair perfectly with all recipes we sell. Every beer recipe kit we offer is hand made fresh to your order, one at a time, and comes complete with everything you need to brew a great-tasting beer at home.
Frequently Asked Questions: Barleywine Extract Beer Recipe Kits
What is a Barleywine?
Barleywine is a bold, high-alcohol ale known for its deep malt complexity, rich body, and intense character. Expect notes of caramel, dark fruit, toffee, and warmth. Basically, all the good stuff! It’s a sipping beer built for big flavor and long evenings. But sip slowly or else the evening will be short.
Why is it called a “Barleywine”?
Despite the name, Barleywine is a beer — not a wine. The “wine” part refers to its strength, often in the 8–12% ABV range (or higher, if you're wild and crazy!). Made with barley and other malted grains, not grapes, it's a beer with the depth and intensity of fine wine.
How strong is a Barleywine?
Barleywines typically clock in between 8% and 12% ABV, though some stretch even higher. They’re rich, warming, and best served in small pours, unless you're feeling lucky. Think of it as beer’s answer to brandy or port.
Are Barleywines hard to brew?
They’re not difficult, but they do take patience. Barleywines require a bit more boil time, longer fermentation, and often benefit from extended aging. If you’ve brewed an extract beer or two, you’re ready to step up.
Can I bourbon barrel age a Barleywine?
Yes — and it’s glorious. You can age your barleywine on oak cubes, chips, or spirals that have been soaked in bourbon for rich, oaky depth and vanilla character.
Want to start with a full-flavored classic? Try our Bourbon Barrel Barleywine Extract Beer Kit — it includes bourbon-infused oak cubes for that deep, barrel-aged complexity without needing a barrel. Huge malt. Smooth oak. Big flavor.
How long should I age a Barleywine?
Barleywines improve with time. While you can drink them young, aging for several months (or even years) allows the flavors to mellow and meld. Store your bottles cool, dark, and upright — and revisit them occasionally to see how they evolve.
What food pairs well with Barleywine?
Go bold: sharp cheddar, blue cheese, roasted lamb, caramelized desserts, or dark chocolate. Barleywine pairs best with rich, intense flavors that can stand up to its strength.
No food? No worries. This beer pairs just fine with silence, slow jazz, and deep thoughts about the universe until you're on to your third barleywine, when you'll probably not be thinking about much at that point.