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Siroco

Cervezas Althaia
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🌍 Spain · Barleywine · One of 25 Barleywines in hopIQ

Named after the warm southern wind, Siroco returns periodically as a limited release. The brewery describes it as an American-style barleywine matured for six months in whisky barrels, a nod to a lone sailor guarding his cargo for half a year. It pours old copper to deep reddish brown with a thin ivory head that fades quickly. The nose is rich and liqueur-like: figs, raisins and prunes, toffee, vanilla, oak and clear whisky notes. Full, dense and silky, it finishes long and warming with sweet malt and wood.

ABV
11.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter40 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Barleywine.
Malt character
malty
caramel
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
vanilla

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Siroco

◎ Appearance

Siroco presents a striking old copper to deep reddish-brown hue, reflecting the extended wood maturation. The thin ivory head forms readily but dissipates quickly, leaving minimal lacing on the glass. The body shows good clarity with a richly saturated color that catches the light warmly.

copper to mahoganythin, fleeting headclear, deep color

◌ Aroma

The nose is decidedly liqueur-like and complex, offering prominent dried stone fruit—figs, raisins, and prunes—layered over honeyed toffee and warm vanilla. Whisky barrel influence is evident as clean oak and spirit notes weave through, creating an inviting and mature bouquet. The overall impression is rich and contemplative, with no sharp or discordant edges.

dried fruit, fig, raisintoffee, vanilla, oakwhisky barrel, spirit notes

◐ Taste

The palate is full and dense with a silky mouthfeel that carries the sweet malt foundation forward. Dried fruit and caramel notes build gradually, while the whisky oak provides subtle dryness and structure without overwhelming the sweeter base. The moderate 40 IBU bitterness remains understated, offering balance rather than assertion.

full body, silky texturesweet malt, carameloak, restrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is notably long and warming, with sweet malt and wood lingering on the palate as the spirit's gentle heat fades gradually. The aftertaste carries echoes of dried fruit and vanilla, inviting contemplation rather than demanding another sip.

long, warming finishmalt and oak aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
78
Finish
82
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Siroco

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Excellent cellar candidate — can age 3–10 years, developing dried fruit, toffee and sherry notes.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Siroco

About Barleywine

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Barleywine?

Barleywine is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Barleywine

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same rich, oak, full-bodied character as Siroco will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Barleywines in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Barleywine beers in hopIQ →Browse Spain beers →