Bourbon

Posted in Oskar Blues Brewing, Seasonal Return

Oskar Blues Java Ten Fidy returns again for one day only

Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy is hitting shelves nationally again this month. An even rarer edition of the imperial stout will also return – Oskar Blues Java Ten Fidy.

By now you should be familiar with Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, one of the most well-known imperial stouts in the business. The barrel-aged edition has proven to be an instant hit, and not easy to find. This month a Java Ten Fidy will return to both of the brewery’s taprooms for one day only.

Ten Fidy has been aged in a blend of bourbon barrels for nearly a year before a finishing flourish of Hotbox Roasters coffee being added. That’s the same coffee found in the brewery’s Hotbox Porter, and Hotbox IPA.

There is a downside, however. Unlike the national availability of BA Fidy, Java Ten Fidy will only be available at Oskar Blues in Brevard on November 11th, 2017. Numbered wristbands will be handed out starting at 9:30 am, with sales commencing at 10 am.

No distribution.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel-Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 19.2oz Cans. Tap Room Release.
Debut: 11/4/16
Latest Return: 11/11/17

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in SweetWater Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

SweetWater has bottled their coffee bourbon barrel-aged stout as ‘Sinners Son’

Coffee and bourbon barrel-aging meet in SweetWater Sinners Son, a release that truly needs to be on your radar.

The road to this release began with SweetWater Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. After years of working on the barrel-aged stout, it was finally released in 2015.

RELATED: SweetWater Cherry Pit & The Pendulum debuts soon

Earlier this year, SweetWater opened a new extension to the brewery designed just for wild ales and barrel-aged beers dubbed The Woodlands. Ever so casually, the brewery introduced a coffee infused edition of the bourbon imperial stout on draft in the expansion. The result? Absolutely incredible.

The blend of vanilla oak, freshly roasted coffee, and a touch of bitter chocolate makes SweetWater Sinners Son one of the best barrel-aged coffee stouts we’ve ever tried. It was finally bottled under its new name.

Sinner’s Son is ripe with age, driven to the cellar for months to mature in bourbon barrels. Just prior to bottling, a fresh blend of coffee and espresso beans from the JavaVino farm was introduced to harmonize with roasted malts and bring balance to its complex barrel aged soul. This imperial stout is decadent at 12.4% ABV with rich chocolate and vanilla notes, a velvety mouthfeel, and hints of oak.

SweetWater Sinners Son was blended in late-September and bottled this week.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Bourbon. Lactose.)
Hops: Columbus
Malt: 2 Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Flaked Oats, Crystal, Victory

Availability: 500ml Bottles, Draft.
Debut: Halloween Weekend 2017

12.4% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Sierra Nevada, Don't Miss This

A new Trip in the Woods: Sierra Nevada Cocoa Coconut Narwhal

Sierra Nevada Cocoa Coconut Narwhal has joined the brewery’s ‘Trip in the Woods’ Series.

Giving fans a chance to see some of Sierra Nevada’s core brands in a new light is key to the ‘Trip in the Woods’ series. The family line has already seen releases like Barrel-Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout with currants, and Ginger Bigfoot (barleywine with ginger root). It’s Narwhal Imperial Stout season once again and along with it, comes a new dessert-inspired offering.

Sierra Nevada Cocoa Coconut Narwhal is on it’s way to shelves around the U.S. and is already proving that chocolate and coconuts really take beer to the next level.

Cocoa Coconut Narwhal uses Sierra Nevada’s popular imperial stout base brewed with toasted coconut and aged in for over a year in bourbon barrels with more toasted coconut and cocoa nibs. Whether you drink it alone, or with your favorite dessert is up to you.

This very special version of our Narwhal Imperial Stout was brewed with toasted coconut and then left to mature in Kentucky Groupon barrels for nearly a year. To the barrels, we added additional coconut and cocoa nibs to create a uniquely rich and decadent stout.

Sierra Nevada Cocoa Coconut Narwhal is available in 25.4-ounce bottles for a limited time.

Style:Imperial Stout (w/ Coconut. Cocoa Nibs. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 25.4oz Bottles

Debut: Late-September 2017

11.8% ABV

Ed Note it looks like this release debuted in early September. Not every market has received this yet.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Great Lakes Brewing Company, Coming Soon

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Imperial Smoked Porter debuts in bottles this month

Great Lakes Barrel Aged Imperial Smoked Porter will be available in bottles for the first time ever this month.

The beer is pretty self-explanatory by name – a smoked porter that has been aged in bourbon barrels. The finished beer boasts notes of smoke, chocolate, and coffee.

Bold and robust with rich chocolate and coffee aromas, a subtle smoky flavor, and a sweet finish

Each 22-ounce bottle of Great Lakes Barrel Aged Imperial Smoked Porter is hand numbered and only available at the brewery’s gift shop in Cleveland, Ohio. $17.95 per bottle.

A limited run of draft will be available in select markets shortly after September 23rd.

Style: Smoked Porter (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited release.
Debut: 9/23/17

8.5% ABV

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Reformation Brewery, New Releases

Reformation Barrel Aged Jude celebrates new beer laws

Reformation Barrel Aged Jude debuts today, alongside a new era for Georgia craft breweries. Today, you can finally buy a pint directly from the brewery.

Woodstock, Georgia is home to Reformation, who started aging Barrel Aged Jude over 9 months ago. The Belgian-style tripel has been resting in fresh bourbon barrels since late December.

This unique version of Jude has been aged for over nine months in bourbon barrels, with 9.2 percent ABV the beer is described as having notes of bourbon and oak atop a balanced malt sweetness and clean, citrus finish.

Reformation Barrel Aged Jude will be available in 16-ounce cans exclusively at the brewery on September 1st – the first day Reformation is legally allowed to directly sell to a customer.

Style: Belgian-style Tripel (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans. Brewery Only.
Debut: 9/1/17

9.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Founders Brewing, Coming Soon

Founders Tank Bender, a barrel-aged anniversary beer debuts in October

Founders Tank Bender debuts in October, celebrating the brewery crossing the 20-year mark.

A barrel-aged eisbock has been chosen to mark the double decade milestone, a first for the brewery. The style is created by freezing water off the beer, leaving behind a much stronger beer. Apparently, the brewery bent one of their fermentation tanks in the process, thanks to collapsing ice.

A liberal addition of Munich malt highlights the toasty and dark fruit notes while a stay in bourbon barrels tames those intense flavors.

Those looking to get their hands on Founders Tank Bender will have to make a trip to the 20th-anniversary party on October 14th. Founders is only offering this special release at the brewery to the fans that been active since the beginning, “…to illustrate the importance of our home base”.

750-milliliter bottles will be available on October 14th, both individually, and in special gift sets with glassware.

Style: Eisbock (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. Brewery only.
Debut: 10/14/17

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Saint Arnold Brewing, Coming Soon, Headlines

A fan favorite gets barrel-aged. Saint Arnold Bourbon Pumpkinator is coming this fall

A great seasonal is about get a little better, thanks to some time spent in oak. Saint Arnold Bourbon Pumpkinator is coming this fall.

The brewery’s seasonal, single batch, pumpkin beer has a cult following among their fan base. It got its start as the ninth release the brewery’s Divine Reserve Series. The brewing team’s pumpkin beer approach is an imperial pumpkin stout, brewed with black and caramel malts, plus pumpkin, molasses, brown sugar, and spices. This “pie in a bottle” offering is the most expensive beer Saint Arnold has brewed.

In 2017, the Houston, Texas brewery is kicking the seasonal up a notch, with Saint Arnold Bourbon Pumpkinator.

As Bishop of Metz, Saint Arnold spent his life warning of the dangers of drinking water and extolling the virtues of beer. During his funeral, his pallbearers stopped to quench their thirst, but they only had one mug to share among them. Then a miracle happened. The mug never ran dry, and all the mourners we satisfied.

Saint Arnold has begun teasing the release of this barrel-aged offering, but no debut date has been set.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Pumpkin. Molasses. Brown Sugar. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Debut: TBA

12.9% ABV

Ed note: Bottle size has been changed to 12oz, instead of 22oz as previously reported.

by Reid Ramsay