You really can’t toss a keg without hitting a brewery that hasn’t done a barrel aged beer. It’s what all the cool kids are drinking these days and for good reason. They’re freaking delicious. So how do you, as an avant garde brewer, differentiate yourself from the herd? Founders sorted it out. Continue Reading »
Number 3 in Avery’s Barrel-Aged Series, Black Tot is an imperial oatmeal stout aged in Gosling’s Rum barrels and the artwork has just been released. With big shoes to fill following Brabant which was a zinfandel barrel-aged wild ale limited to 12,500 bottles and the more recent Suit Generis which was a barrel-aged sour ale limited to only 128 cases, I don’t think anyone will be let down by this one. Limited at 396 cases, I expect Black Tot to be a brewery only release, just as Sui Generis was, and it is planned to be released January 2010.
One of those highly anticipated annual releases is once again upon us as Firestone Walker prepares to release their anniversary beer “13”. Firestone Walker 13 will be available for the first time starting at noon on November 14th at the brewery in Paso Robles, CA.
Their anniversary series beers, which are sought after from people around the country, are a unique blend of barrel aged beers to include barley wines, imperial stouts and an imperial brown ale just to name a few. “13” has been aged in a combination of bourbon, rye, and wine barrels, in which many of the components spent over two years in them, and then blended with the help of Paso Robles area wine makers.
Only 1,000 cases of this beer were made and it isn’t expected to last long. Bottles of “13” will be on sale at the brewery for $21.99 plus tax with a 12 bottle limit per person.
Besides the brewery release, the anniversary beer will make it to select accounts in limited quantities throughout California, Arizona, Washington and Oregon in late November.
Reminiscent of that dark, gloomy day in October 1929 that shook the world twice over, Black Tuesday, the beer, is causing widespread panic of its own. The beer that has been talked about for months is nearing reality as it is prepared to be released the final Tuesday of October. As was the Black Tuesday of 1929, this sucker is mean and it means business at a mind blowing 19.5% alcohol by volume. A beer so volatile, the only way to keep the general population safe at night was to confine it to bourbon barrels and hide them in a dark room to rest for over a year before being unleashed on an unsuspecting world. Continue Reading »
Beer: Red Poppy Ale
Brewery: The Lost Abbey
Style: Barrel Aged Brown Ale
Suggested Glassware: Chalice
From years of trying Abbey style ales Co-owner of Pizza Port Vince Marsaglia developed a love for them and was set on creating some of his own, but he needed a brewer who could bring his vision to life. When brewer Tomme Arthur was brought on-board in 1997 The Lost Abbey was born. Red Poppy is one of their Non-Denominational Ales and is “Brewed from a brown ale base and aged in our oak barrels for over 6 months.” Red Poppy is modeled after the Flemish Red Ales that have a distinctive sour characteristic. This is my favorite style of beer and Red Poppy is a great representation with its sour cherry flavors. Continue Reading »
