JW Lees Harvest Ale
A vintage-dated barley wine brewed once a year since the 1980s from the first hops of the new harvest and British malt. Each release differs slightly in colour and character and is intended to develop with age. The nose shows molasses and ripe fruit; the palate is rich and sweet, with toffee, sherry-like notes and a delicate cherry undertone. Recent vintages are bottled at 11.0%, earlier ones at 11.5%. Older years stay on sale alongside the current one.
Tasting Notes
AI-generated sensory profile for JW Lees Harvest Ale
Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.
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.
More from JW Lees
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.
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hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same rich, sweet, full-bodied character as JW Lees Harvest Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.
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