Los Angeles Times: 4 styles of craft beers to chase away those gloomy El Niño blues

“First brewed in 18th century England to give aristocratic households an alternative to wine, the barley wine style of beer was embraced by American craft brewers looking for styles that harbored bold flavors and lots of alcohol. The American versions tend to be far hoppier than their English forebears, but they’re still malt-driven beers that can feature an intense alcoholic warming effect in the throat and chest.

Stone Brewing Co.’s Old Guardian and Great Divide Brewing Co.’s Old Ruffian are textbook examples of American barley wines that add hop flavor to an already intense style. Both brands get released annually in February (the 22-ounce bottles are about $10), but bottles tend to linger…” Read more and see the full list here.