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Anyone who knows Almut von Emma - Biere ohne Beard knows that only great things can be expected from her. If the former teacher sets about something, it will be good and her beers are more than good. The most delicious new addition to their illustrious range is the Caramel Dictator.
Our beer sommelier Marco Liebig tasted the Barleywine for you and is thrilled!
The fine beer with the powerful name is a Barleywine. This style of beer is engagingly English, top-fermented and malt-focused and impresses with a good portion of residual sweetness. The Bass & Co. Brewery was the first brewery to brew barleywine commercially and gave the beer its name in 1903. Even though Barleywine isn't wine at all, it still has it in the title. This comes from the wine-like high alcohol content: Barleywine usually has between 8 and 12 percent, but there are also variants that can show significantly more revolutions.
However, Barleywine existed before Brass & Co.: The beer style has its roots in Great Britain, where brewers brewed seasonal strong ales. These were made in small quantities and could be stored for a long time due to their alcohol content. The tradition of Old Ales, Stock Ales and Strong Ales was born!
Like all good things, berley wine eventually reached the United States. The British beer style experienced a renaissance there in the 1970s. The legendary Anchor Brewing Company brewed the first American barleywine and called it “Old Foghorn.”
Due to this development, a stylistic distinction is now made between British and American Barleywine. The latter is a little more hoppy thanks to generous amounts of American aromatic hops, while the English version shines with a malty character. There is something for every taste!
The caramel dictator appears slightly cloudy in the glass. A fine, cream-colored foam crowns the hazelnut-brown beer.
Marco's trained nose smells faintly burnt caramel, raisins and dried stone fruits such as apricots and plums.
The initial taste impresses with a wonderful fruitiness with notes of velvety apricot jam. After the first wave of fruit, an exceptional bitterness sets in that extends into the finish.
The aftertaste follows the initial drink and is slightly fruity with a long-lasting bitterness.
Marco's conclusion:
Emma's Caramel Dictator is a very successful example of a barleywine. A beer with rough edges that is absolutely not a lightweight with 18.6° Plato and 10.2% alcohol content. Due to its freshness, the Barleywine still appears quite edgy. If you like it a little “smoother”, you should still grab it. If stored in a dark and cool place, this fine drop will develop into a very round, malty beer. Good things take time - this applies to good red wines and also to their hoppy equivalent, barleywine.
Our recommendation for all lovers of crisp bitterness and lovers of aging. Marco Liebig recommends the caramel dictator to everyone who loves crisp, bitter beers. And fans of storage will also enjoy the Barleywine. Very strong, long-ripened cheeses and blue cheese, crème brûlée and cheesecake taste great with it.
Emma - Biere ohne BartWater, barley malt, hops, yeast
