Barrel Aged

Posted in New Holland Brewing

New Holland debuts a “Banana Coconut” edition of famed Dragon’s Milk

New Holland Banana Coconut Dragon’s Milk will join the “Reserve” lineup of Dragon’s Milk inspired releases. 

The Holland, Michigan based brewery’s Dragon’s Milk is easily one of the most iconic barrel-aged imperial stouts in America. Dating as far back as 2014, the brewery started releasing variants to this stout under the “Reserve” moniker. The series has gotten more and more interesting ever since.

READ MORE: DRAGON’S MILK RESERVE SERIES

This fall, a new limited release rises from the wood – New Holland Banana Coconut Dragon’s Milk. As the name suggests, the brewery aged the imperial stout on bananas, plantains, and coconuts. This fall pastry stout is 11% alcohol by volume.

This release is ridiculous. Phenomenal. Addictive even. The banana balances perfectly with the coconut, which both give way to the chocolatey, oaky vanilla nuances from the wood. This beer is balanced, rich, and nothing short of incredible. If you ask us, drink this beer in abundance. It may win the title as best Reserve Series release yet.

New Holland Banana Coconut Dragon’s Milk is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft as a limited release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Bananas. Plantains. Coconuts. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Hops: Nugget, Brewer’s Gold
Malts: 2-row, Munich, Caramel, Flaked Barley, Chocolate, Black and Honey

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: September 2018

11% ABV, 30 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Three Taverns Brewery

Three Taverns is releasing a “double” edition of their breakfast beer 

Three Taverns Double Smack will be available at the Decatur, Georgia based brewery on September 8th.

The brewery celebrated their 4th anniversary last November and a pastry stout dubbed Morning Stout came with it. The breakfast inspired beer is a coffee milk stout brewed with maple, bacon, and bananas.  In March, the brewery canned the flavor blast in 12-ounce cans.

In September, Three Taverns Double Smack, an even bigger version of Morning Smack will debut at the brewery.

400 bottles of this boozier version go on sale at 11 am, aged for 11 months in fresh bourbon barrels. Limited to 2 per person.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Maple. Bacon. Bananas. Lactose. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. 400 Available. Brewery Only.
Debut: 9/8/18

12.5% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ommegang, Coming Soon, Don't Miss This

Ommegang is rounding out the Game of Thrones Series this year with a barrel-aged beer just for Jon Snow

You know nothing about brewing Jon Snow. Fighting for the throne? Sure. Drinking? Maybe. The fourth and final release this year in the Royal Reserve subset is coming by year’s end – Ommegang Game of Thrones King in the North.

We still don’t have the seventh book in the Fire & Ice Series or a release date for the next season of Game of Thrones. That doesn’t stop Ommegang from keeping the series alive in liquid form.

READ MORE: OMMEGANG GAME OF THRONES SERIES

Ommegang Game of Thrones King in the North is set to debut around Christmas, so the brewery has chosen a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout inspired by Jon Snow himself. When we last saw Snow, he was making love to the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen. Let’s assume they sipped a boozy beer like this by the fire afterward.

“I don’t think we’re alone in our hopes for Jon Snow. And for those who missed one of the Collection during the year, we’re pleased to offer the opportunity to get all four at once, along with a glass in which to serve them.” – Doug Campbell, Ommegang President

Ommegang describes King in the North’s flavor as  ‘rich and full with notes of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and roasted malt up front followed by smooth bourbon and a hint of oak”.  You just add the fur pelts and roaring fire. Try not to behead anyone.

The Royal Reserve Collection started in April with Hand of the Queen, following by Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Next Month is Mother of Dragons, before wrapping up the year with this imperial stout.

Ommegang Game of Thrones King in the North will be available in 750-milliliter bottles, as well as a special multi-bottle gift pack with Game of Thrones glassware.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml bottles
Debut: December 2018

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Founders Brewing, New Releases

Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half is as great as we remember it

Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half, originally the third release in the brewery’s Backstage Series, returns in August.

The grumpy “Curmudgeon” on the label is best known for appearances on hiatus old ale by the same name. In February 2012, the brewery released Curmudgeon’s Better Half as a part of their Backstage Series, now known as the Barrel-Aged Series.

Curmudgeon’s Better Half is the familiar old ale brewed with molasses and aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels. (Similar to Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout.) Fan demand prompted the return of this boozy treat.

Six years later, how is it? Let’s take it back to December. Christmas saw the return of another legendary beer in Founders lineup – Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS). The fans clamored and traded for it like it would cure cancer. The reviews ended up being a little mixed, and here’s our theory why. It’s been a quite a while since the last release, and so many barrel-aged beers have come and gone in that time span. Folks built it up in their minds over the years to a level CBS couldn’t achieve, no matter how good it actually was.

Curmudgeon’s Better Half was pretty great in our opinion six years ago and really hasn’t been subjected to this mental buildup over the past half decade. We never thought we’d see it again. With the first sip, we are instantly reminded of the subtle beauty of this beer. There aren’t a lot of old ales running around breweries these days. The original Curmudgeon was brewed with molasses and had a touch of sweetness that mixes with hints of brown sugar and caramel. This version aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels didn’t throw “Better Half” over the top. Each sip is a subtle symphony of vanilla oak, sweet maple, caramel malt, with a finishing alcoholic heat and lingering sweetness. A slow sipper after dinner, or in a rocking chair on a porch as the sunsets. Our love affair was rekindled immediately.

Every year, the brewery plans to bring new creations to their coveted Barrel-Aged Series, but a few releases from the past beg to be re-released. Founders fans have been begging for Curmudgeon’s Better Half to return since it’s release 6 years ago.  “This was a beer that needed to get back into the rotation,” says Barrel Maestro, Jason Heystek.

Founders Curmudgeon’s Better Half will make its return starting August 24th in the new 12-ounce bottle format, 750-milliliter bottles, as well as draft.

Style: Old Ale (w/ Molasses. Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel Aged.)
Availability: 750ml bottles, 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: February 2012
Latest Return: 8/24/18

12.7% ABV, 35 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Avery Brewing

Pumpkin pie soaked in rum. Avery’s massive ‘Rumpkin’ returns

One of the biggest pumpkin beers out there, Avery Rumpkin has returned again ahead of fall 2018.

“A pumpkin pie soaked in rum.” That was the general idea when creating the Avery Rumpkin recipe. Besides pumpkin, Avery Rumpkin is brewed with nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon, then aged in rum barrels.

Rum barrels have been a big leaking issue for Avery in the past. If a barrel leaks, you beer killing oxygen getting in, or other off-flavors introduced into the beer. Over the past 7 years, the brewery has lost between 30% & 40% of the batches. To fix this issue, the brewery has flown in professional coopers in the past from France to restore the rum barrels before Rumpkin rested in the wood.

The 2018 edition of Avery Rumpkin debuts on August 20th.

Style: Pumpkin Beer (Nutmeg. Allspice. Ginger. Cinnamon. Barrel Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 12oz bottles
Latest Return: August 2018

16.9% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Great Divide, New Releases

Great Divide Wood Werks Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale

Great Divide Wood Werks Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale is the third release in the small batch series.

A Belgian-style Sour Ale and a Flemish Sour Brown Ale have graced the series prior to this release. This third offering is an imperial brown rye ale brewed with malted and flaked rye, aged in 10-year rye whiskey barrels for over 13 months.

The complex malt bill, paired with spirited characteristics from the aging process, makes for a smooth and full-bodied finish.

Great Divide Wood Werks Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft through September 2018.

Style: Rye Beer (Barrel Aged. Rye Whiskey.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Aug-Sept.
Debut: August 2018

12.6% ABV

Image: Great Divide

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Allagash Brewing, Seasonal Return

Fresh strawberries and bourbon barrels. Allagash Avancé returns July 14th

Allagash Avancé will be available in the brewery’s taproom again on July 14th.

Back in 2013, the Portland, Maine based brewery started purchasing fresh strawberries from Dole’s Orchard in Limington, Maine. The fresh fruit was combined with a strong ale brewed with four different strains of Belgian yeast, as well as multiple sugars including molasses, date sugar, white cane sugar, and dark rock candi.

Avancé is a strong, sour ale with aromas of strawberry preserves and toasted oak. Berries and more oak continue in the flavor, which concludes with a warm, sweet finish.

Allagash Avancé is available in 12.7-ounce bottles in the brewery’s taproom July 14th, alongside Coolship Cerise.

Style: Belgian-style Strong Ale / American Wild Ale (w/ Strawberries. Date Sugar. Candi Sugar. Molasses. White Cane Sugar. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Hops: Perle, German Tradition, Tettnang, Saaz
Malts: 2-Row, Malted Barley Blend, Munich, Caramel, Carapils

Availability: 12.7oz Bottles

10.8% ABV

Allagash Avance Strawberries

PIC: Allagash Brewing

by Reid Ramsay