Guinness is arguably the most famous stout on the planet. Its roots go back more than two centuries and its consistency has always been one of its enduring qualities. Innovation, however, was one ingredient missing from the Guinness playbook as the Ireland- based brewery seemed content to produce barrel after barrel of its popular stout with little regard or anticipation for change.
But the beer would has greatly transformed in the last several years and just recently, Guinness opened up a new brewery stateside, near Baltimore. Known as the Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House, this center of Guinness innovation just announced its first barrel- aged beer brewed and bottled at the new facility. It’s Guinness Stout Aged in Bulleit Bourbon Barrels, a beer aged for eight months in barrels from the world- famous bourbon distillery.
Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House Brand Director Emma Giles says the new product is the first in what is certain to be a long line of beer brewed with Guinness know- how combined with American craft beer ingenuity.
“Our story as brewers began more than 250 years ago in Dublin, and those Irish roots will absolutely always be a key part of who we are, but beer has evolved in so many ways since then,” said Giles. “It’s hard to deny that the U.S. is the center of the universe as far as beer innovation is concerned. Now that we have a permanent home here with some of the most talented brewers the country has to offer, the potential to blend our brewing expertise with American creativity is virtually endless.”
Many do not know this, but Guinness was once stored and shipped in barrels. In fact, for almost 200 years, this was the standard means for transporting the famous stout from place to place. By introducing a barrel aged program at the Baltimore brewery, Guinness is essentially recapturing its barrel storage tradition. And since Guinness is part of Diageo brands, the brewers at Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House have immediate access to barrels used to produce some of the world’s classic spirits such as Don Julio Tequila, Zacapa Rum, Bulleit Bourbon, and many others.
Sean Brennan, Senior Brewer at Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House, can’t wait to see what other barrel aging combinations he and his fellow brewers can create.
“The best part about barrel-aging any beer is that you get the chance to pull the flavors of the wood and liquid previously aged in it,” said Brennan. “We’ve already started to think about what we’ll be experimenting with next, but we couldn’t be more pleased with our first go at using barrels from our friends at Bulleit. This beer is something special, and one to be sipped slow and savored.”
Guinness Stout Aged in Bulleit Bourbon barrels doesn’t use the Guinness original stout many have grown to know and love. It actually uses Guinness Antwerpen Stout for a taste that features flavors such as bittersweet chocolate, aged fruit, and wood from the barrels. With the success of this first offering, Bulleit Whiskey Quality Blender Eboni Major is anxious to see what the future brings for this barrel aged marriage between Bulleit and other brands.
“Bulleit and Guinness share some common ground in a strong and sincere commitment to innovation and development. We’re excited to join forces as their first partners during the beginning of this new brewing operation,” said Major.
Guinness Stout Aged in Bulleit Bourbon Barrels weighs in at 10 percent alcohol by volume and contains 52 IBU of bitterness. It will be available in very limited supply, in four packs of 11.2 oz. bottles and on tap at the Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House until the end of this year. To keep up with the latest happenings and availability, be sure to visit the Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Barrel House Facebook page.
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