Barrel Aged

Marshall Brewing Barleywine debuts in Oklahoma

Marshall Brewing Barleywine, aged in bourbon barrels, has been released.

Earlier this year, the Tulsa, Oklahoma based brewery racked their American barleywine into bourbon barrels, that had previously held their Black Dolphin Stout. The idea behind this was to bring just Continue Reading →

Posted in Victory Brewing Company, Seasonal Return

Victory Java Cask returns nationally (if it’s legal where you are)

Victory Java Cask will return this year on Black Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016.

Victory Java Cask is a coffee based beer, brewed in collaboration with Philadelphia based bar, restaurant and music venue, Johnny Brendas. The beer was additionally aged in bourbon barrels. A picture the brewery posted to Instagram mentioned the beer has been pulled from said barrels and blended.

Victory Java Cask debuted last year on Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 (aka “Dark Wednesday”). It returns again on Dark Wednesday 2016. This year will also debut Java Cask Rye.

This year however, it will then be available in Victory’s distribution states that allow over 14% ABV beer. Due to its high alcohol by volume, the beer can’t be sold in 4 of the brewery’s distribution states.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft
Release: November 23rd, 2016

14.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Victory Brewing Company, New Releases

Victory Java Cask Rye debuts on “Dark Wednesday”

Last year, Victory Brewing Company released Java Cask, a coffee bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout. It was nothing short of amazing. It picked right up where Dark Intrigue left off. Now, Victory Java Cask Rye will soon wow its fans as well.

Victory Java Cask Rye is described the same as it’s boozy predecessor, but this time featuring rye whiskey barrels. This release will join Java Cask as a part of the brewery’s “Dark Wednesday” event on November 23rd.

Bad news first. Java Cask Rye will be available exclusively at Victory brewpubs (Downingtown, Parkesburg, and Kennett Square, PA). The good news – Java Cask starts shipping nationally to the brewery’s distribution footprint, as long as your state allows for beers over 14% alcohol by volume.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Rye Whiskey.)

Availability: 750ml Bottles
Debut: 11/23/16

14.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut debuts in December

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut is coming this December to the brewery’s’ taprooms. Brace yourselves.

The brewery recently upped their barrel-aging game with a national release of Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy. That beer is causing fan breakouts all over the nation right now.

Oskar Blues taprooms are seeing more barrel-aging variants available to those that can make trip, including recently released Java Fidy, (bourbon aged Ten Fidy with Hotbox Coffee). This December, Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut will find its way into cans.

The base beer, an Irish Porter brewed with coconut and Cholaca, a cacao derivative, is already a bit tropical. All it needed was rum.

“To sum it up we wanted a beer that sends your palate on vacation.” – Oskar Blues Cellar Manager Dennis McShea

Oskar Blues Rum Barrel-Aged Death By Coconut won’t be an easy get. The 19.2 ounce cans will be available at the brewery’s taprooms in Longmont, Colorado and Brevard, North Carolina on December 17th, 2016.

Style: Porter (w/ Coconut, Dark Chocolate. Barrel Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 19.2oz Cans. Taproom only
Debut: 12/17/16

?? ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Great Lakes Brewing Company, Headlines

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Christmas Ale releases in November

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Christmas Ale, a barrel-aged edition of the wildly popular seasonal beer, releases again this November.

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Christmas Ale, a winter warmer brewed with honey, cinnamon and ginger, is now aged in bourbon barrels for six months. The result is an even more popular edition of the cult classic, with added vanilla, wood, and smokey flavors.

Hark! A heavenly chorus of spices and honey and a fanfare of oak and vanilla flavors resound with each joyous sip of our bourbon barrel-aged Christmas Ale. Holiday spices and sweet honey are wrapped up with notes of wood and vanilla, adding depth that’ll keep you a-wassailin’ all season long.

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Christmas Ale is a 22 once bottle offering. This is a limited release found exclusively at the GLBC Gift Shop on November 26th, 2016.

Style: Winter Warmer (w/ Honey, Ginger, Cinnamon. Barrel Aged. Bourbon. Vanilla)
Availability: 22oz Bottle.  Limited to 1 case (12 bottles) per person.
Release: November 26th, 2016

7.5% ABV, 25 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Marshall Brewing Company, New Releases

Marshall Brewing Barleywine debuts in Oklahoma

Marshall Brewing Barleywine, aged in bourbon barrels, has been released.

Earlier this year, the Tulsa, Oklahoma based brewery racked their American barleywine into bourbon barrels, that had previously held their Black Dolphin Stout. The idea behind this was to bring just a touch of the bourbon left over in the oak, and far less of the tannic character the barrels can impart.

After letting the American hops mellow for a while, and the barrels imparting a little flavor, the barleywine is ready.

Aroma offers light bourbon, sweet oak, brown sugar and plum. Taste follows aroma with rich malt sweetness.

Marshall Brewing Barleywine is available in 22 ounce, wax dipped bottles.

Style: Barleywine (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Wax capped.

Debut: 11/10/16

9.2% ABV

Image: Marshall Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Seasonal Return

Tequila aged Wild Heaven Height of Civilization returns

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization, the brewery’s barrel aged Civilization Barleywine returns to the wild this week.

In 2014, the brewery purchased Dulce Vida Organic Tequila barrels ahead of this release. Wild Heaven Height of Civilization spent four months aging in the barrels prior to bottling.

The base beer, Wild Heaven Civilization Barleywine, brewed with dried Prussian lemons, Iranian hibiscus, tart cherries, cranberries, and cocoa nibs that have been re-hydrated in Four Roses bourbon.

The beer has been so well received, Wild Heaven got a hold of more Dulce Vida tequila barrels to bring this complex beer back once again.

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization is available in 750ml bottles for a limited time.

Style: Barleywine (w/ Lemons, Hibiscus, Cherries, Cranberries, Cocoa Nibs. Barrel Aged. Tequila.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. Limited Release.
Latest Return: November, 2016

12+% ABV

Below, the beer enters the barrel. Pic: Wild Heaven  

Wild Heaven Height of Civilization

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Stone Brewing Co., Headlines

Stone Double Bastard Bigger Longer Uncut, all Islay Scotch

Stone Double Bastard Bigger Longer Uncut, a new form of one of the most “arrogant” beers out there.

Double Bastard has been out there for years – an 11% alcohol by volume, in your face, hoppy American strong ale. Now, like a special director’s cut edition of a movie, comes Stone Double Bastard Bigger Longer Uncut. A bastard with extra scenes. An alternate ending. And of course, director’s commentary:

Weakness Is worn on the sleeves. Boldness Is within the heart.This intensified blend of barrel-aged Double Bastard Ale is all heart baby. The weak will find it to be a telltale heart. It knows of your fallibility. It smells your fear. The heart of this beer disdains you, as it disdains all things homogenized, wimpy and uncultured. You do know the truth of yourself, no? If you hesitated to answer that, if even for a split second, that in and of itself is telling. If you aren’t capable of knowing the reality of yourself, this beer can and will take the responsibility of informing you of what you should already know. (And it you’ve lost your way in this text already and no longer are clear about what I am saying, your reading pace has exceeded your comprehension pace. Go back, slow down and start over, bright eyes.) Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Evenly. Give yourself some positive affirmations. Breathe deep again. There. Feel better? If you followed those instructions, then set this bottle down and back away immediately, you new age poseur. Fight or flight and I’d recommend the latter for you, tiger. Wet paper bags are more your speed.

Stone Double Bastard Bigger Longer Uncut is aged in 100% Islay Scotch Whisky barrels. Aggressive indeed, and definitely NOT for everyone.

Taste. If you are fan of peaty scotch whisky, then look no future. Not every beer can handle a scotch barrel. It can easily overrun by the barrels. This Bastard is indeed peaty as hell, very much scotch heavy, with a strong flavor undertone of everything that Double Bastard is. Consider this your fireside sipper. Drink it as speak in a fancy accent.

You’ll see this beer falls Stone Brewing’s new Arrogant Brewing moniker. Available in 22 ounce bottles for a limited time.

Style: American Strong Ale (Barrel Aged. Scotch. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: November, 2016

13% ABV

by Reid Ramsay