Young’s Harvest Barley Wine

[LED_ZEP]

Not had a Barley wine in 30 years and fancy something a little different from what I usually make (wines, TC's and the odd stout) so think I'll have a go at this.

Anyone tried it? Is there a go to barley wine kit?

Thanks.

 

[LED_ZEP]

I assume from the flood of replies that barley wine kits aren't very popular.

 

[obscure]

I assume from the flood of replies that barley wine kits aren't very popular.

Unfortunately I think it’s a pretty under appreciated style ,I think the Youngs Harvest Barley Wine is the only kit available (actualy have one on order so was hoping someone would have tried it and be able to give some feedback hence why I was watching this thread).

 

[Bobtheblob]

Muntons and Brewferm do Barley wine kits too. I'm quite tempted for my next brew.
https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Barley_Wine.htmlhttps://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/muntons-barley-wine/

 

[Didge]

Back in my youth I used to brew Barley wines quite often but it's a style that has suffered since the rise of craft beers.

Considering where we are on the calendar I would also suggest dropping a 2 or 3 wine mulling bags in (available in most supermarkets), they will give you a wonderful Christmas tipple :-)

 

[obscure]

Back in my youth I used to brew Barley wines quite often but it's a style that has suffered since the rise of craft beers.

Considering where we are on the calendar I would also suggest dropping a 2 or 3 wine mulling bags in (available in most supermarkets), they will give you a wonderful Christmas tipple :-)

I’ve seen a few crop up with new commercial Barley Wines but the 7-10% beers now seem to be very much dominated by DIPA‘s and Imperial stouts, some of which are excellent but would be nice to see a few more Barley wines as well.

 

[LED_ZEP]

Well I've ordered the kit so it's looking like my next brew. It'll be a trip down memory lane. I think it was Gold Label that I used to drink but I'm sure I remember a barley wine called Rout 66.

 

[obscure]

Well I've ordered the kit so it's looking like my next brew. It'll be a trip down memory lane. I think it was Gold Label that I used to drink but I'm sure I remember a barley wine called Rout 66.

My one from brew2bottle arrived today, probably be a couple of weeks till I get to it as I am doing a batch of bitter this weekend but am curious how this will come out.

Out of interest are you planning to use sugar, DME or LME with this?

Edit:Should add my plan is to mash 2.5KG of pale malt maybe boil for 20 minutes which should make it up to 13 L.

 

[LED_ZEP]

I got an order due from tesco so just added this:

 

[obscure]

Hope it works well despite being one can kits I have always being fairly pleased with the Youngs Harvest kits.

 

[LED_ZEP]

Out of interest are you planning to use sugar, DME or LME with this?

Edit:Should add my plan is to mash 2.5KG of pale malt maybe boil for 20 minutes which should make it up to 13 L.

I'm more of a wine and TC man so there won't be anything to exotic happening with my brew.

 

[obscure]

The Youngs Barley Wine fresh out of the fermentor (took three weeks to finish) it’s already rather nice suspect it will need a few months to smooth out the flavour but overall it tastes like well a Barley Wine.

Final mods I made was using 2.5KG of Marris Otter mashed at about 67 degrees, and then boiled for thirty minutes. I dissolved the kit using the boiling liquor and then topped up to 13 litres. Left over night to cool, then pitched Wyeast West Yorkshire yeast (slurry from a batch of Yorkshire Bitter I was brewing). Overall came in at 8%.

 

[LED_ZEP]

Just enjoying a glass of the Youngs Harvest Barley Wine.
I'm surprised just how nice this is, the only thing I did different from standard was to use 250g of brown sugar and make it to 9% abv.

 

[obscure]

This has now conditioned for six weeks the alcohol has mellowed out a tad and it’s now properly carbed, it has a sort of caramel banana flavour to it. I opted to keg it precisely so I could draw off in thirds.

Was slightly surprised how quickly this conditioned. It’s very much a sipping beer but a very nice one.

 

[Tanglefoot]

I used to enjoy a Gold label Barley wine, seem to remember we'd drink it almost like a chaser alongside a pint of Morrells Varsity, Badger best or similar.
Always liked the Young's Harvest kits too.

Looks a fine drop there Obscure !

 

[chillipickle]

I remember them small bottles with the gold foil oh so well, 1 or 2 of them could really get the night going.Some times in the wrong direction lol.

 

[lupinehorror]

been meaning to do a barley wine for ages. got the young's kit from brew2bottle today for a decent price. more winter warmer than a winter warmer.

 

[Manners]

I remember trying Gold Label when I got my membership to the local war memorial club at erm sort of 18. My tastes may have changed slightly but I cant remember being so keen... can you still buy it?

 

[chillipickle]

To be honest, I have not had it for many a year, think ford cortina, escort days, courage light and bitter!
Would certainly like to brew some to bottle, if any one has a good recipe for all grain.

 

[obscure]

I remember trying Gold Label when I got my membership to the local war memorial club at erm sort of 18. My tastes may have changed slightly but I cant remember being so keen... can you still buy it?

Is this it
https://groceries.asda.com/product/canned-lagers/gold-label-very-strong-special-beer/910000521300
I confess I’ve never tried it (hadn’t actually heard of it until this thread).

Commercial barley wine wise Gun Brewery produce a decent one, and Cloudwater has had some excellent Barley Wines though seem to be one off specials rather than regular beers.

This kit I found made a nice base, I considered doing all grain but with the large grain bill would probably need to do a 4.5-5L batch.