Barrel Aged

Mad River Adds Barrel Aging Program

Mad River Brewing is based in Blue Lake, California.  Just announced recently the official addition of a barrel aging program.  From Mad River:

Our brewing team is very excited about the launching of the Mad River barrel program! February Continue Reading →

Brewdog Paradox: Isle Of Arran

Back in 2008, Brewdog Brewing (Fraserburgh, Scotland) partnered with Isle of Arran distillery to use their barrels for Paradox.  Paradox is Brewdog’s imperial stout, available in various barrel aging editions.  Every barrel (either with Arran or otherwise) has a unique story. Continue Reading →

NEW RELEASE: Mikkeller Red Wine Big Worse

Mikkeller’s Red Wine barrel aged Big Worse Barleywine has arrived stateside.  With this edition, Mikkeller has 4 “Big Worse” barleywine editions.  The biggest in the series is “Big WorsT” a massive 19.2% abv barleywine.  Slightly smaller, yet still big is Continue Reading →

Mother Earth Bourbon Barrel Tripel Overhead

In addition to the regular edition of Tripel Overhead by Mother Earth Brewing (Kinston, NC), the brewery has an annual release of Bourbon Barrel Tripel Overhead.

The flavors of Belgian-style tripel keep rollin’ in: filling your mouth with perfect peeling waves Continue Reading →

Firestone Walker Abacus To Debut

Firestone Walker Brewing (Paso Robles, CA) is debuting a new beer in their Proprietor Reserve series – Abacus.  Abacus is a barrel aged barleywine appearing in 22oz bombers, and very limited draft.  Previous beer in the Reserve series is Parabola, Continue Reading →

Bridgeport Highland Ambush

Bridgeport Brewing (Portland, OR) has brought back a beer they brewed 20 years ago – Highland Ambush.  It’s a scotch ale with a barrel twist -and brewed by a Ramsay.  I’m on board with that.  Read Bridgeport’s history for the Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, Mad River Brewing

Mad River Adds Barrel Aging Program

Mad River Brewing is based in Blue Lake, California.  Just announced recently the official addition of a barrel aging program.  From Mad River:

Our brewing team is very excited about the launching of the Mad River barrel program! February 25th, 2011 saw the filling of Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels with our Steelhead Extra Stout and our John Barleycorn Barleywine 2010 Cellar Reserve.  These barrels will be aged 3 to 4 months for the stout and up to 7 months for the barleywine, with draft release dates to be determined. In addition, an extremely limited bottling of each will be made available at our tasting room in Blue Lake, California. This will be a self-funding and perpetual program in the many years to come

Website —> http://www.madriverbrewing.com/

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Mikkeller, New Releases

Mikkeller Barrel Aged Beer Geek Breakfast Arrives

One year ago today, Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Breakfast was the subject of a beer spotlight on this site.  Here a year later, a new edition has arrived in the Beer Geek series – “Barrel Aged Beer Geek Breakfast.”  The popular imperial stout spent about 3 months in a second use bourbon barrel.  Brewer Mikkel Borg Bjergsø wanted to keep the bourbon moderate, not overwheming.

From The Label:
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and to beer geeks like Mikkeller, a hearty, complex stout is the tastiest way to begin the day.  This unique mix of oat and coffee stouts creates an intense, full bodied beer which is surprisingly balanced and full of new taste adventures with every sip.

Style: Imperial Stout, bourbon barrel aged.
Hops: Centennial, Cascade
Malts: Pilsner, Oat, Smoked, Caramunich, Brown, Pale Chocolate, Chocolate
Extras: Roasted Barley, Flaked Oats, Gourmet coffee
Yeast: Ale

Taste Expectations:  Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak. Bourbon. Roasty malts, sweet oatmeal feel & flavor.

Availability: 500ml bottles, capped. 180 cases shipped to U.S.

7.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Brewdog, Seasonal Return

Brewdog Paradox: Isle Of Arran

Back in 2008, Brewdog Brewing (Fraserburgh, Scotland) partnered with Isle of Arran distillery to use their barrels for Paradox.  Paradox is Brewdog’s imperial stout, available in various barrel aging editions.  Every barrel (either with Arran or otherwise) has a unique story.  These Isle of Arran casks were formerly sherry casks before Arran used them.  Paradox is the 3rd beverage to reside inside.  This release in 2011 is the second batch of Isle of Arran stateside.

About Paradox Imperial Stout:
Style: Imperial Stout, barrel aged
Hops: Galena, Grambling Cross
Malts: Marris Otter, Dark Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt, Roast Barley

10% ABV

Brewdog’s Taste Expectations Paradox (Isle of Arran): “Alot of the casks Arran distillery use are former sherry casks which gives this edition of Paradox a little more sweetness which is balanced by hints of cinnamon and ginger with lovely aromatic, zesty fruit flavours.”

Availability: 12oz bottles, capped.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Mikkeller, New Releases

NEW RELEASE: Mikkeller Red Wine Big Worse

Mikkeller’s Red Wine barrel aged Big Worse Barleywine has arrived stateside.  With this edition, Mikkeller has 4 “Big Worse” barleywine editions.  The biggest in the series is “Big WorsT” a massive 19.2% abv barleywine.  Slightly smaller, yet still big is “Big Worse” weighing in at 12.8% .  Then come the barrel aged editions.  Bourbon Big Worse, and now Red Wine Big Worse Barleywine.

Big Worse Description:
Big Worse is the long awaited big brother of the small test brew Big Bad Barley Wine. The idea behind Big Worse is still to make a simple yet heavy barley wine – just like it’s smaller brother. But this time both the alcohol and bitterness has been pumped up! Big Worse is both thick and sweet and is the perfect beer for desserts. Enjoy it now or keep it for many years. Best stored dark and at cellar temperature.

Style: Barleywine, aged in Red Wine barrels
Hops: Nugget, Cascade, Centennial
Malts: Pils, caramunich
Yeast: Ale yeast
Adjuncts: Candi sugar

Taste Expectations: Sweet fruit, oak notes, vanilla, & tannins from the wine.  Boozy, candi sugar, w/ red wine finish.

Availability: 375 ML bottles, capped. Less than 200 cases shipped to U.S.

12% ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Mother Earth Brewing

Mother Earth Bourbon Barrel Tripel Overhead

In addition to the regular edition of Tripel Overhead by Mother Earth Brewing (Kinston, NC), the brewery has an annual release of Bourbon Barrel Tripel Overhead.

The flavors of Belgian-style tripel keep rollin’ in: filling your mouth with perfect peeling waves of unexpected pleasure. Respectfully aged in seasoned bourbon barrels. This beer offers you an amazing zest, balanced with flavors of warming oak. The result? A complex sipping beer that finishes smooth and sweet, giving you a glide you won’t soon forget.

Style: Tripel (Barrel Aged)
Availability: 750 ml bottles, corked & caged.
Arrival: March, Seasonally

9% ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Firestone Walker Brewing

Firestone Walker Abacus To Debut

Firestone Walker Brewing (Paso Robles, CA) is debuting a new beer in their Proprietor Reserve series – Abacus.  Abacus is a barrel aged barleywine appearing in 22oz bombers, and very limited draft.  Previous beer in the Reserve series is Parabola, a barrel aged imperial stout.

Commercial Description:
Abacus is a barrel aged Barley Wine. Big boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combined with soft chocolate malty undertones. Complex malt flavors framed in oak, with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, coconut and just a touch of dark cherry. This is definitely a sipping beer, best served in a brandy snifter. Abacus pairs well with dark chocolate and sturdy cheeses.

Style: Barleywine (Barrel aged)
Hops: Bittering–Bravo; Late Kettle–East Kent Golding
Malts: Munton’s Pale, Crisp Maris Otter Pale, Munich, Dark & Light Crystal, Chocolate

Availability: 22oz bombers. (boxed). Limited draft.

States: AZ,CA,NV,OR,WA,PA,NJ,IL,VA,MA, NY

12% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bridgeport Brewing, New Releases

Bridgeport Highland Ambush

Bridgeport Brewing (Portland, OR) has brought back a beer they brewed 20 years ago – Highland Ambush.  It’s a scotch ale with a barrel twist -and brewed by a Ramsay.  I’m on board with that.  Read Bridgeport’s history for the lowdown.

First brewed in the 1980s as a special beer for the BrewPub at BridgePort, Highland Ambush is making its triumphant return more than 20 years later. Stuart MacLean Ramsay, then pub manager, conceptualized the brew to pay homage to his Scottish heritage. This year’s Highland Ambush takes inspiration from the original ale using NW pale ale malt along with a Scottish crystal and roast malt.  The hopping rate of Highland Ambush has been toned down to help highlight the complementing vanilla from the American oak bourbon barrels and caramel-toffee malt nuances. Reddish-Brown in color, Highland Ambush will warm the coldest of toes and noses this holiday season.

Style: Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy (Barrel Aged)

Taste Expectations: Herbal hops, toasted malts. Biscuit. Caramel & toffee, vanilla, oak. Complex.

Availability: 22oz bombers.  Rare draft offerings. Limited release.

6.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay