Posted in New Belgium, Headlines

New Belgium teams up with Knob Creek Bourbon

New Belgium Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale

New Belgium Brewing’s latest collaboration is not with a brewery, but with a bourbon distillery. New Belgium Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale is hitting shelves.

The Fort Collins, Colorado brewery touts this beer as an entirely different kind of bourbon-inspired ale. instead of resting this release in barrels on regular barrel staves, Knob Creek soaked and oak spirals signature bourbon, which New Belgium aged on a rye-heavy ale.

“Our Brewhouse team likes to say that we didn’t just develop a custom extraction technology, but rather, a beer-flavoring ‘missile,’ and we’re thrilled to present our newest, innovative venture with the launch of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale,” says Ross Koenigs, Research and Development Brewer.

He’s not joking about the “missile” innovation. The brewery’s engineers created a missile-shaped vessel where Knob Creek Bourbon-soaked oak spirals and char from used Knob Creek barrels “mingle” with the high rye ale. This extraction includes harvesting the barrel char, plus a blend of toasted oak spirals at varying degrees to bring all the oak and spice into the liquid.

New Belgium Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft now, while supplies last.

Style: American Strong Ale (Oak Aged. Bourbon.)
Hops: Nugget, HBC 472
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel 80m, Rye, Roasted Barley

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: Late September 2018

9% ABV, 20 IBUs