Beer style category

17 Strong British Ale

4 styles in this category.

Back to Beer styles Brewing tools
17A

British Strong Ale

An ale of respectable alcoholic strength, traditionally bottled-conditioned and cellared. Can have a wide range of interpretations, but most will have varying degrees of malty richness, late hops and bitterness, fruity …

ABV
5.5–8%
IBU
30–60
SRM
8–22
Deep amber to brown
View style
17B

Old Ale

A stronger-than-average English ale, though usually not as strong or rich as an English Barley Wine, but usually malty. Warming. Shows positive maturation effects of a well-kept, aged beer.

ABV
5.5–9%
IBU
30–60
SRM
10–22
Deep amber to brown
View style
17C

Wee Heavy

Rich, sweet malt depth with caramel, toffee, and fruity flavors. Full-bodied and chewy, with warming alcohol. Restrained bitterness, but not cloying or syrupy.

ABV
6.5–10%
IBU
17–35
SRM
14–25
Brown to dark brown
View style
17D

English Barley Wine

A strong and richly malty ale with a pleasant fruity or hoppy depth. A wintertime sipper with a full, chewy body and warming alcohol.

ABV
8–12%
IBU
35–70
SRM
8–22
Deep amber to brown
View style

Source credit

Source credit

Style guide data is based on the BJCP Style Guidelines. Guides from bjcp.org.

Brewing tools

Check recipe figures alongside these styles.

Check ABV, gravity, colour, bottling, and carbonation calculations in the public Brewing tools section.