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Gjulia Barley Wine

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Aged for 18 months in French oak barriques — Gjulia's Barley Wine is the most ambitious beer from the Friulian farm brewery. Bourbon-influenced aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and dried fig; a rich, warming palate of toffee, caramel and subtle oak spice with a long, complex finish at 10% ABV. Produced in tiny quantities from estate-grown barley on the Altùris farm. One of Italy's finest barrel-aged strong ales.

ABV
10%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber18
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
carameldark fruitoak
caramel
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
spicy
tart
Aroma
The nose opens with ripe dark fruit—plum and fig—layered beneath vanilla and subtle oak spice from the barriques.
also:malty
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Gjulia Barley Wine

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to mahogany hue, reflecting 18 months of French oak aging. The beer presents excellent clarity with a dense, cream-colored head that clings to the glass with notable lacing. Carbonation is moderate and refined, appropriate to the style's contemplative character.

mahoganydense headwell-retained lacingclear

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with ripe dark fruit—plum and fig—layered beneath vanilla and subtle oak spice from the barriques. Bourbon-influenced notes of caramel and toasted wood underscore the bouquet, with a whisper of alcohol warmth that speaks to the beer's strength without dominating. The aromatic profile is complex and inviting, revealing new dimensions with each pass.

dark fruitvanillaoak spicecaramelfig

◐ Taste

The palate is full and warming, leading with rich toffee and caramel that coat the mouth generously. Mid-palate develops layers of dried fruit and subtle wood tannins, while the 35 IBU provides measured restraint rather than assertive bitterness. The 10% ABV integrates seamlessly, adding depth and a gentle warming sensation without harshness.

toffeerich mouthfeeloak tanninsrestrained bitternesswarming

◑ Finish

The finish is extended and contemplative, lingering for several minutes with echoes of caramel, oak, and dark fruit. A subtle drying note emerges, balanced by residual sweetness and the gentle alcohol warmth.

long finishdry-sweet balancelingering oak
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
89
Taste
88
Appearance
86
Finish
87
Serve at 12–16°C

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

Pint glass

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Gjulia Barley Wine

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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 caramel, dark fruit, rich character as Gjulia Barley Wine will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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