Full Sail Brewing, Oregon’s pioneering craft brewery, just announced the release of its annual Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Dark and complex, this full bodied beauty was aged in Wild Turkey bourbon casks, resulting in a roasted malt flavor with notes of wood and bourbon from the aging.
This year’s barrel aged brew has been soaking up the goodness for about 10 months. The batch of beer was brewed in November, 2015 and Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson felt it was now sufficiently aged to make it ready for bottling and he is proud that his company has been releasing barrel aged beer for so long.
“The annual release of our barrel aged beers is a celebration of the best of American beer and American bourbon,” says Emmerson. “Barrel aging beers has been a Full Sail tradition since 1998 when we joyfully discovered what happens when you pair vintage barrels, dedication, and patience.”
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout is great for immediate drinking, but one other nice feature is that, unlike most other beers that need to be consumed quickly for optimal taste, this beer can be aged, for even greater enjoyment.
“It cellars well, so if you store a few bottles in a dark, cool place and be patient, you will be rewarded for your effort and restraint,” says Jim Kelter, Full Sail Brewmaster.
Full Sail’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stouts have received high praise over the years from critics and casual craft beer fans alike. With a high degree of complexity and craftsmanship, they are consistently sought after by craft beer aficionados and collectors. Finding them can be a challenge, as the beer is available in extremely limited quantities. This year’s version is no different. It will be sold starting this month and will be packaged in 22 oz. bottles as well as on draft, but the small amount of beer in the batch means it will take a concerted effort to track it down.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout contains 9.5 percent alcohol by volume with a bitterness rating of 40 IBU. To learn more about this special beer and Full Sail Brewing in general, be sure to visit the company web site, www.fullsailbrewing.com.
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