Any strict definitions for the term “barleywine” are of fairly recent origin—and, according to respected beer historian Martyn Cornell, it’s dubious to apply the word to a style. For centuries, it was simply a poetic way of referring to the stronger sorts of pale-ish beers available in Britain. It didn’t appear on a label until about 1900, in connection with Bass Brewery’s No. 1, a 10-plus percent ABV Burton-style ale. Its name notwithstanding, brewers have been making very strong beers for ages.
