Wine Aged

Two Brothers Apocalyptic BeBop, Joins Music Metaphor Series

Two Brothers Brewing (Warrenville, IL) will release Apocalyptic BeBop on February 22nd, at the brewery’s annual Cabin Fever celebration.

Two Brothers Apocalyptic BeBop is a cabernet barrel-aged Belgian-style quadrupel, a follow up to Midwestern Death Metal released last year.

“Apocalyptic BeBop’s release is Continue Reading →

Almanac Farm to Barrel Blueberry Released

Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Blueberry is now available. The newest Farm to Barrel Series release features blueberries sour ale, aged in wine barrels.

We selected the very best hand-picked blueberries grown in the hills of Butte County, California, and added them to a sour golden Continue Reading →

Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Steel String Brewery

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly Kicks Off New Sour Series

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly is the first of the brewery’s barrel aged sour line. The base beer is a saison that was soured in the kettle, then fermented in a pinot noir barrel with a another ale, fermented 100% with Brettanomyces.

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly features Mosaic, Citra, and Nelson Sauvin hops. The brewery tells Beer Street Journal that the flavor is :vinous, fruity and some what oaky, overall rather complex.

Pretty Polly draws its name from Appalachian murder ballads, often named after the victim or perpetrator. Pretty Polly is about a man named Willy who is courting Pretty Polly. He takes her out into the country on a date and admits that he is so in love with her that he has to kill so she can’t leave him. Each release in the series will feature different names and elements of the songs.

Steel String Dry-Hopped Pretty Polly arrives in Mid-March at the brewery, and through North Carolina by the end of the month.

Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Barrel Aged. Wine Aged.)
Hops: Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, Citra

Availability: 500 ml bottles
Release: Mid-March, 2015

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, New Releases, Two Brothers Brewing

Two Brothers Apocalyptic BeBop, Joins Music Metaphor Series

Two Brothers Brewing (Warrenville, IL) will release Apocalyptic BeBop on February 22nd, at the brewery’s annual Cabin Fever celebration.

Two Brothers Apocalyptic BeBop is a cabernet barrel-aged Belgian-style quadrupel, a follow up to Midwestern Death Metal released last year.

“Apocalyptic BeBop’s release is next up in our “musical metaphor” series,” explains Jason Ebel, co-owner of Two Brothers Brewing Company, “Last year, we released Midwestern Death Metal at Cabin Fever and we want to continue with our tradition of making these unique beers available to our fans.”

Two Brothers Apocalyptic BeBop will go on sale in 22oz bottles on Sunday, February 22nd. Tickets are available here: http://bit.ly/1HlKqXB (Opens in new window.)

Style: Belgian-Style Quadrupel (Barrel Aged. Wine Barrels.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles. Limited release.
Release: 2/22/15

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Almanac Beer Co., Seasonal Return

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight, Batch 2

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight is back for round two. The sour ale is inspired by the agricultural history of Santa Clara Valley, California.

Now Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Valley was once known as Valley of the Heart’s Delight, the land of fruit orchards. For this release of Heart’s Delight, Almanac uses foraged apricots handpicked by the Garden To Table non-profit, promoting urban farming in San Jose.

Almanac Valley of the Hearts Delight uses a blend of wild and sour cultures from a few of the brewery’s other offerings. Aged in wine barrels with the foraged apricots. Available again in 375ml bottles.

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Apricots. Barrel Aged)
Availability: 375ml bottles, corked & caged.
Return: February, 2015 (Batch 2)

7% ABV

Image via Almanac Beer Co.

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

Deschutes Jubel Returns To Bottles, Five Years Early

Deschutes Jubel, aka “Super Jubel” was originally intended to be a once a decade beer. The brewery laments, they couldn’t wait another five years.

Jubel last appeared in bottles in 2010. “Super Jubel” got its start after a thief stole a heavy keg of Jubelale. Not realizing how heavy the keg was, and carrying it around in the cold Oregon winter, the thief abandoned it to freeze. What poured off was a more concentrated version Jubelale, prompting the brewing team to replicate the stronger offering. Not before aging it in pinot noir barrels.

Jubel 2015 is a multi-dimensional brew with a bigger, fuller take on the flavors found in Jubelale.

The 2015 edition is 50% aged in wine barrels, and new Oregon oak.

Deschutes Jubel will be available in 22oz bottles and draft across their distribution market in February, 2015, in limited quantities.

Style: American Strong Ale (Barrel Aged. Wine Barrel Aged. Special Oregon Cask.)
Hops: Millennium, Nugget, Cascade, Willamette, US Tettnang, East Kent Goldings.
Malt: Pale, Special B, Crystal, Roasted Barley, Flaked Barley

Availability: 22oz Bottles, wax capped. Draft. Limited Release.
Return: February 6th, 2015

11% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Firestone Walker Brewing

Firestone Walker Lil Opal Returns To Barrelworks Soon

Firestone Walker Lil Opal will be next up for re-release this year. The brewery releases Feral One again on Valentines Day 2015, with Lil Opal to follow shortly after. The barrel saison is aged in Viognier barrels.

Lil Opal was originally created nine years ago when master blender, then quality control manager, Jim “Sour Jim” Crooks peeled away from his regular brewery duties and began aging wild yeast (a.k.a. sour) beers in Viognier barrels acquired from local wineries. This illicit brett’d saison and Barrelworks progenitor returns in early 2015 with its second limited bottling. Maturation in barrels refines Lil’ Opal’s spicy and fruity yeast notes, and refreshes the palate with a soft, light acidity.

Firestone Walker will announce Lil Opal return date soon.

Style: Saison (Barrel Aged. Wine Barrels.)
Availability: 12.7oz Bottles, Corked & Caged.
2015 Return: TBA

5.9% ABV

Read more: Firestone Walker Barrelworks Series

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

Deschutes The Specialist, Barrel Aged Pub Exclusive

Deschutes Brewery (Bend & Portland, OR) is releasing a special edition of their Batchelor Bitter. As a reward for the Deschute Pub loyal, Veronica Vega, Assistant Brewmaster and brewing team upped the recipe a bit, and then aged it in sherry, pinot and bourbon barrels. Think of it as an extra, extra special bitter.

Deschutes The Specialist is a Pub Reserve release, only available in 22 oz bottles at Deschutes’ locations.

Style: E.S.B. (Barrel Aged. Sherry, Bourbon, Wine Barrel Aged)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Release: February, 2015

10% ABV, 44 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Almanac Beer Co., New Releases

Almanac Farm to Barrel Blueberry Released

Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Blueberry is now available. The newest Farm to Barrel Series release features blueberries sour ale, aged in wine barrels.

We selected the very best hand-picked blueberries grown in the hills of Butte County, California, and added them to a sour golden ale aged in wine barrels. The resulting beer is infused with a delicate blueberry essence, a reminder of far off summer days.

Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Blueberry is available in 375ml bottles, and draft.

Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Barrel Aged. Wine Aged.)
Availability: 375ml Bottles, Draft. Limited.
Release: Late January, 2015

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay