American style barley wines range from amber to deep copper-garnet in color and have a full body and high residual malty sweetness. Complexity of alcohols and fruity-ester characters are often high and counterbalanced by assertive bitterness and extraordinary alcohol content. Hop aroma and flavor are at medium to very high levels. Very low levels of diacetyl may be acceptable. A caramel and/or toffee aroma and flavor are often part of the character. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures.
