Beer Spotlight!

Commonwealth Lycans

$16.99 for the 16oz can four-pack
English Style Barleywine Style Ale

So, there are, effectively, two types of Barleywines — English style and American style.

Barleywines originated in England in the mid-1700s. They were beers brewed to have the alcoholic strength of wines. By the late 1800s, the style was established — a strong malt base with fruit notes, mild English hops, medium-bodied, and a richness that you could really appreciate at just cooler than room temperature. Then, in 1975, American proto-craft brewers got hold of the Barleywine style, and things changed.

American brewers used American hops, which were stronger and more bitter than the hops in England. That’s why American IPAs became a more bitter beast than their British fore-beerers, and that’s why the American Style Barleywine shares that same difference. If you’re used to drinking American Barleywines, you’re used to drinking a beer that matches a strong malt with a strong ABV and a strong, fiery bitterness. For the record, we have no problem with that. We’ve had our share of American Barleywines and look forward to having more than our share of more. However, sometimes it’s good to go back to basics.

Commonwealth Brewing Company in Virginia Beach has re-released their Lycans Barleywine Style Ale. Done in the English style, the Lycans leans a little harder on the fruit notes than you would expect, to good effect. It’s like sprinkling your Barleywine with berries. To balance the malt base out, Commonwealth lets some hop spiciness creep in on the finish, but it’s nowhere near enough to violate the tradition of the style. The Lycans is also lightweight for a Barleywine — only 9.8% ABV. Drink it cool but not cold to get the best out of the flavors.