Bourbon

Shmaltz Bock Bock (in bourbon) returns

Shmaltz Bock Bock, an imperial bock beer, is returning to shelves again this month

Shmaltz Bock Bock has spent months in a blend of bourbon barrels, including Jim Beam and Wild Turkey barrels (for the 2016 release).

“Barrel-aged Bock Bock gains its Continue Reading →

Posted in Stone Brewing Co., Don't Miss This, New Releases

Stone Bastard’s Midnight Brunch, with coffee, bourbon & maple syrup

Stone Bastard’s Midnight Brunch has hit shelves, probably one of the more “arrogant” bastard concoctions yet.

The base beer is Double Bastard, the Escondido, California based brewery’s American strong ale. The big bastard is infused with coffee (AKA Depth Charged Double Bastard) and aged in both bourbon barrels and maple syrup barrels. The result – is a beer all over the map in flavor. (There is a strong undertone of Double Bastard, and it finishes with a mix of bourbon and maple flavors.)

If you haven’t noticed, Stone Brewing split the bastard series off into their own business entity – Arrogant Bastard Brewing. We all know, it’s still Stone at the wheel.

Stone Bastard’s Midnight Brunch is a 16.9 ounce bottle offering, retailing around $20 dollars each.

Style: American Strong Ale (w/ Coffee, Maple Syrup. Barrel Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 16.9oz Bottles
Release: June, 2016

12.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Holland Brewing, Headlines

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Raspberry Lemon, for summer

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Raspberry Lemon is a new spin on the brewery’s year-round barrel-aged stout.

If you are a bourbon barrel stout fan, you better at least know this base beer. One of the best known beers in New Holland’s lineup is Dragon’s Milk, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels from their own distillery.

A little while back, the brewery started releasing some fun variants on the barreled favorite. This summer is New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Raspberry Lemon. How do you make a strong dark beer a little more summery? Michigan raspberries and lemon zest of course.

“Our brewers surprised us with this one and we were amazed how well the flavors and aromas came together to work with Dragon’s Milk. The raspberries bring a depth to Dragon’s Milk that we love and the lemon zest kicks up the fruit aromas and provides a unique, bright, and exciting experience. Our brewers nailed it.” – Brett VanderKamp, President

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Raspberry Lemon debuts on June 25th at the brewery, and across the brewery’s markets in July.

Expect a new variant in October.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Raspberries, Lemons. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonal.
Release: June, 2016

11% ABV

New Holland Dragon’s Milk debuted in 2001. Today, the beer ages and resides in more than 3,500 oak barrels at the brewery. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wicked Weed Brewing Co, Don't Miss This

Bourbon fans, meet Wicked Weed Old Fashioned

Wicked Weed Old Fashioned is hits distribution in limited quantities this week. A beer built for the fans of the cocktail.

Bourbon is the start in an Old Fashioned, muddled with sugar and bitters (and oranges and cherries). Wicked Weed Old Fashioned is a Kentucky bourbon barrel aged beer, brewed with oranges and cherries. (Redundant, yes. But you get the idea.)

From the first time we tasted it, we knew this needed to be made in our production facility.

Wicked Weed Old Fashioned is now available at the brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. Limited distribution starts this week.

Style: American Strong Ale (w/ Oranges, Cherries. Barrel-Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 12.7oz Bottles
Debut: Late June, 2016

10% ABV

Image: Wicked Weed

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Avery Brewing, Don't Miss This

Avery Certatio Equestris, modeled after a mint julep

Avery Certatio Equestris joins the brewery’s Barrel Aged Series on June 19th. Think of a popular bourbon drink when you wonder what this beer tastes like.

Avery Certatio Equestris is modeled after the ubiquitous mint julep. The base sour ale was aged in bourbon barrels with spearmint leaves (the key ingredient in the julep, after bourbon). You can probably imagine the result from here.

A mint julep is not the product of a formula — it is ceremony, and must be performed by a gentleman possessing a true sense of artistic, a deep reverence for the ingredients, and a proper appreciation of the occasion. It is a rite that must not be entrusted to a novice, a statistician, nor a Yankee.” – Henry Clay

Dang it! We were in there till the Yankee caveat.Pucker up, Buttercup!

Avery Certatio Equestris is a 12 ounce bottle release. Certatio Equestris translates to “horserace. (He

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Spearmint. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles. Limited.

Distribution: CA, CO, DC, GA, IL, IA, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NE, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX, VA,  WA.
Debut: 6/19/16

8.9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Shmaltz Brewing, Seasonal Return

Shmaltz Bock Bock (in bourbon) returns

Shmaltz Bock Bock, an imperial bock beer, is returning to shelves again this month

Shmaltz Bock Bock has spent months in a blend of bourbon barrels, including Jim Beam and Wild Turkey barrels (for the 2016 release).

“Barrel-aged Bock Bock gains its toasty, rich malt body and nutty caramel flavor from distinctive European malts, such as Vienna, Munich and Crystal, to make a traditional bock base,” said Shmaltz Brewing Company’s Lead Brewer Richie Saunders.

Shmaltz Bock Bock Imperial American Bock Lager is available in 22oz Bottles and draft.

Style: Bock (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Latest Return: June, 2016

9.2% ABV

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

Green Flash Lustrous Frumento with Coffee debuts

Green Flash Lustrous Frumento with Coffee will join a new, elite Barrelmaster’s Reserve Series on May 21st.

The Cellar 3 facility currently houses over 1000 oak barrels, including four, 50-Barrel foudres. Brewmaster Pat Korn thought it was time he dipped into his personal stash at the facility and give the public a taste. Thus, the debut of the Barrelmaster’s Reserve Series.

Green Flash Lustrous Frumento with Coffee is a 100% bourbon barrel-aged “black ale” (as Green Flash describes it), featuring coffee from San Diego based Mostra. The beans are Sumatran and and Brazilian, chosen to compliment the oak barrel-aging.

The beer has rested in the barrels for 30 months, gaining plenty of spicy oak, vanilla and caramel notes. After being deemed “ready” by the Barrelmaster himself, a beautiful cold brew coffee made from a blend of Brazilian and Sumatran beans from San Diego coffee roaster, Mostra, is added to intensify and compliment the rich caramel and vanilla from the barrels.

Green Flash Lustrous Frumento with Coffee is a limited, 750 milliliter bottle offering at the Cellar 3 Facility in San Diego on May 21st. The brewery tells Beer Street Journal that a limited amount of this beer will hit distribution.

Style: American Strong Ale (w/ Coffee. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Release: 5/21/16

13.1% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, New Releases

Creature Comforts Existence, aged 19 months in bourbon

Creature Comforts Existence, a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout, releases on May 21st, 2016.

This beer is all about time. The base beer was brewed in Athens, Georgia shortly after the brewery opened its doors in 2014. The stout has been aging in Willet bourbon barrels for 19 months.

“Immediately after our opening weekend, we brewed the base stout that now – after 19 months in Willet bourbon barrels – has become Existence,” said Creature Comforts Wood Cellar and Specialty Brand Manager, Blake Tyers. “Time is a gift that we appreciate in our wood cellar, and Existence is a prime example of what time can bring.”

Creature Comforts Existence boasts notes of oak, vanilla, dark chocolate, subtle cherry and bourbon. Available in extremely limited quantities on a ticketed tour on May 21st.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Release: 5/21/16 (Brewery only)

11.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay