Category Archives: Barrel Aged

A.E. Cross Barley Wine Barrel Aged – Last Best Brewing & Distilling

by Mike

From Last Best Brewing & Distilling in Calgary Alberta comes their second ever bottled beer the “A.E. Cross Barley Wine Barrel Aged” the second of their Lineage Series.  This is a 2016 Vintage and has been cellared by the brewery itself until 2018.  The beer pours a deep orange brown colour with an off white head.  For the second release they split the beer into two versions one unoaked and then this one that was barrel aged for 10 Months in Alberta Rye Whiskey Barrels.  The aroma consists of mild oak, dark fruits, stone fruit, brown sugar, caramel, toffee and rye.  The flavour is of oak, dark fruits, cherry, toffee, caramel, grapefruit rind, honey, resin, rye spice, rye whiskey, bitterness and alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.8% with an IBU of 45.  This is a borderline American Barelywine and really enjoyable.  I hope they make more of this in the future.

Commercial Description:  With our 2nd lineage release, we pay homage to a prairie legend with our riff on a classic style. The Alfred Ernest Goss Barley Wine uses locally sourced barley wheat, and rye as a fitting tribute to the founder of Calgary Brewing & Malting and the embodiment of the Last Best West.  We split this release into two: one unoaked and one aged for 10 months in 100% Alberta rye whiskey barrels Layered with subtle, integrated oak and a developing rye spiciness, this beer is characterized by its sweet caramel and barley malt base alcohol warmth, hints of dark fruit and a touch of light malted wheat Serve it at cellar temperature and age for years to come.

Mélange à Trois (Fellowship 2017) – Strange Fellows Brewing

by Mike

From Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver comes their fourth of four beer of 2017 in their Fellowship Club the “Mélange à Trois” a barrel aged Brett Bruin.  The beer pours a deep reddish brown with a tan head.  The aroma consists of brett funk, mild fruit, berries, malt, oak, chocolate and caramel.  The flavour is of brett funk, sour, caramel, toffee, chocolate, roasted malts, smoke, oak, leather, earth, bitterness and citrus rind.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.5%.  Not the standard Bruin but it is a really good brew and I look forward to the 2018 Fellowship.

Barrel Aged American Style Barley Wine – Main Street Brewing

by Mike

From Main Street Brewing in Vancouver comes their “Barrel Aged American Style Barley Wine” a Winter 2017 Vintage.  The beer pours a very murky brown colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of dark fruits, toffee, resin, sweetness and a floral finish.  The flavour is of roasted malts, caramel, toffee, chocolate, dark fruits, resin, earth, oak and bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 10.5% with an IBU of 80.  This Barely Wine seemed to be a bit of a hybrid style as the bitterness was to low to be an American Barley Wine.  It was not really what I was expecting but I did quite enjoy it none the less.

Barley Wine (2017 Vintage) – Longwood Brewery

by Mike

From Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery comes their “Barley Wine” a barrel aged beer from the 2017 Vintage.  The beer pours a deep chestnut colour with a brown head.  The aroma consists of roasted malts, dark fruits, brown sugar, vanilla and sweetness.  The flavour is of dark fruits, roasted malts, treacle, syrupy, brown sugar, sweetness, earth and some bitterness with some alcohol in the finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.5% with an IBU of 45.  This was an interesting English Barley Wine and I look forward to trying it again sooner than later.

Commercial Description:  Steeped in lore and tradition, this special annual brew can be enjoyed now or cellared to futher mature.  Mahogany brown with a vast shattering attack of malt, hints of raisin, vanilla and a bitter sweet chocolate finish.  This well aged ale (8 months in oak) is a great finish to any dining experience or simply by itself.  Best enjoyed at cellar temperature.

Wintervention (Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Imperial Stout) – Garrison Brewing

by Mike

From Halifax Nova Scotia’s Garrison Brewing comes their “Wintervention” a Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Imperial Stout.  The beer pours a black close to opaque with a brown head.  The aroma consists of chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, toffee and oak.  The flavour is of chocolate, toffee, treacle, coffee, vanilla, bourbon, oak, roasted malts, ash, bitterness and resin.  The alcohol content comes in at 11.5%.  Garrison Brewing does some amazing things and this one ranks up there with some of their best beer.

Commercial Description:  With 11 months in Bourbon barrels, we’re taking this Wintervention to the next level! The time spent in the Bourbon barrels give this brew a deliciously complex flavour. Rich bittersweet chocolate aromatics with cherry and vanilla underneath. Layers of chocolate fudge, coffee, malted milk balls and molasses flavours with a bittersweet chocolate finish.