Most craft beer fans love barrel- aged brew. There is something about the combination of wood and booze with our favorite beer that adds an irresistible layer of additional flavor and character. But what about booze that is made with added beer? It’s a trend that is catching on and a fine example is Sagamore Spirit Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish, a collaboration between Sagamore Spirit and Sierra Nevada Brewing.
Sierra Nevada began its relationship with Sagamore Spirit last year. It started with a Sierra Nevada beer- Red Ale- that was aged in Sagamore Spirit barrels. Once the aging was completed and the beer was packaged, Sierra Nevada shipped the barrels back to Sagamore Spirit, who promptly filled them with straight rye whiskey, aged it for 10 months, and bottled the resulting liquor. A partnership was born, and it continues to this day with Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish, the second collaboration between the two companies.
To keep the “spirit” of collaboration alive, Sagamore Spirit is dubbing these new beer- barrel finished whiskies the Brewers Select line. Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish is thus the first whiskey bottled under this new series. Brian Treacy, president of Sagamore Spirit, says the newly formed partnership is perfect for both companies.
“Like us, the team at Sierra Nevada believes in doing things differently, and doing things right. We learned last year just how well our approachable Maryland-style rye complemented their red ale, and now they’re returning the favor,” said Treacy. ”It’s the first time we’ve finished our whiskey in beer barrels that we originally owned, and the result was well worth the wait.”
Sagamore Spirit Brewer’s Select Rye Ale Barrel Finish will be sold in 750ml bottles and will be available nationwide in May, 2020. To find this new spirit near you, use the online locator at sagamorespirit.com/find-rye.
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