Last month in Beer 101 I started a series on big beer. I wanted to take a closer look at the weighty end of the beer world because I believe these beer are misunderstood. Most of us know they are beer not to be trifled with, but I think we don’t spend enough time considering just how bloody hard they are to make. Last month we looked at the moderately strong beer – dopplebock, double IPA and scotch ale.

This month I pull out the big guns. I examine barley wines and Russian imperial stouts (with a teaser about future writings on the Belgians). While the moderately strong beer are about balance, I argue these two beer are about complexity. How to make not only the alcohol bigger, but every other aspect of the beer? As I have briefly mentioned in the column, I have tried my hand at a barley wine a couple of times at home and have never been satisfied by the results. I have found my barley wines to be too thin and one-dimensional. This speaks volumes to me. It tells me the secret to a great barley wine is not the amount of malt, but what kinds, and how you mash it. It requires a complex malt bill, one that will leave a variety of flavours after a couple of years of storage. And don’t forget the hops, which need to be formidable but un-noticed.

Making a quality barley wine or imperial stout takes a great deal of brewing skill. These are beer that can be cellared for years and taste even better for it. Anyone can make hi-test. The skill in these big beer is producing something that is complex, rich and flavourful.

They are some of my favourite styles of beer. I don’t drink them often, but when I do allow myself a bottle I spend a long time gently and quietly appreciating the many layers they have to offer. These are not beer for sitting in a pub with friends. They are for quiet contemplation. Most certainly friends can be there, but they need to know these beer are about quite appreciation rather than rowdy talks about politics.

If you haven’t tried either a barley wine or an imperial stout, I suggest you run out and pick one up right away. I offer a couple of suggestions for each in the column. Which you can read here.