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Xenofon

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Semi-dark, strong, fragrant and above all malty, but bitter as well. The name nods to Xenophon, who mentions barley wine in the Anabasis, though the brewery admits beer tasted different in ancient Greece. Sugar is part of the recipe, and the malts include Maris Otter pale ale malt. It is brewed with Pekko and Polaris hops.

ABV
10.4%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter50 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltyhoppycaramel
malty
hoppy
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with rich, biscuity malt character from the Maris Otter pale ale malt, underpinned by caramel and subtle molasses notes.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Xenofon

◎ Appearance

Xenofon presents a semi-dark amber to light copper hue, clear and bright with excellent transparency. The head is dense and persistent, with fine white foam that clings to the glass in steady lacing. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, neither aggressive nor flat.

semi-dark amberclear and brightpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with rich, biscuity malt character from the Maris Otter pale ale malt, underpinned by caramel and subtle molasses notes. Pekko and Polaris hops contribute restrained herbal and spicy aromatics, while a warming alcohol presence rounds out the profile without overwhelming the more delicate malt complexities.

biscuity maltscaramel sweetnessherbal hop spice

◐ Taste

On the palate, Xenofon strikes a deliberate balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. The entry is full-bodied and smooth, with pronounced malt-forward character and a gentle caramel undertone; mid-palate develops a measured bitterness (50 IBU) that cleanses without dominating. The 10.4% ABV is present as warmth but remains integrated throughout.

full-bodiedmalt-driven sweetnessrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering malt sweetness and a gentle bitter edge that persists without harshness. Alcohol warmth builds gradually in the aftertaste, lending a contemplative, lingering character.

long finishwarming alcohol
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Xenofon

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About American Barleywine

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Barleywine?

American 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 American Barleywine

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

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