Tag Archives: oak aged

Depth Charge Oak Aged Belgian Quad with Cognac – Lighthouse Brewing                                  

by Mike

From Victoria’s Lighthouse Brewing comes their “Depth Charge Oak Aged Belgian Quad with Cognac”. Last years version was a scotch ale. The beer pours a reddish brown colour with a tan head. The aroma consists of cognac, candi sugar, dark fruit, banana, sweetness and some oak. The flavour is of dark fruits, cognac, candi sugar, caramel, vanilla, banana, citrus rind, sweetness, mild bitterness and alcohol. There is a slight harshness in the finish that would die off with a bit of time in your cellar. The alcohol content comes in at 9% with an IBU of 22. This is a fantastic brew with a ton of flavour jumping out at your mouth. 

Commercial Description:  Belgian yeast provides a spicy backbone to the rich cognac and oak flavours of dark fruit, caramel, vanilla and toasted bread. Best enjoyed in bad weather, shared with family and friends, or aftter cellaring. 

INSEPT1ON Saison – Torque Brewing

by Mike

From Torque Brewing in Winnipeg Manitoba comes their “INSEPT1ON Saison” a beer aged in French Oak red wine barrels.  The beer pours a yellow colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of saison yeast, spices, oak, citrus and some wine in the finish.  The flavour is of wine, oak, yeast, pepper, bready malt, lemon and generic citrus with a mild bitterness.  The alcohol content comes in at 6%.  I really enjoyed this wine barrel aged saison and I hope they do more beers like this in the future.

Commercial Description:  Aged 6 months in French oak red wine barrels, this bottle conditioned Saison is both refreshing and light with hints of oak and vanilla.

 

Entropy Series No 2 – Dageraad Brewing

by Mike

From Dageraad Brewing in Burnaby BC comes their “Entropy Series No 2” the second of their barrel released beers.  The beer pours a very deep amber colour with a very active off white head.  The aroma consists of candy sugar, pear, oak and some mild brett.  The flavour is of resin, tannins, oak, pear, tropical fruit, candy sugar, pepper, herbal hops and some mild alcohol.  The brett character of this beer will build over time but it is pretty darn subdued right now.  The alcohol content comes in at 6.8%.  This is tasty fresh but if you got two bottles then you should really hold onto the second bottle and let the brett build!

Commercial Description:  Amber Ale aged in a pear brandy barrel and bottle conditioned with brettanomyces.

 

HopAnomaly – Nebraska Brewing

by Mike

From Nebraska Brewing in Papillion Nebraska comes their “HopAnomaly” an Ale aged in Chardonnay Barrels.  The beer pours a cloudy orange colour with a white head.  The aroma consists of candi sugar, citrus, Chardonnay, oak, some spice and Belgian yeast.  The flavour is of Chardonnay, citrus, tropical fruit, candi sugar, toffee, oak, sweetness, spices, Belgian yeast, hops bitterness and some alcohol.  The alcohol content comes in at 10.6% with an IBU of 87.  While I am not a fan of Chardonnay at all this beer really worked well with the wine barrel and was an absolute treat.  I wish I had the ability to get more of this beer or more from the brewery but that is the nature of trading beers.

Commercial Description:  An artful creation which began with our HopAnomaly Belgian-Style IPA, enhanced by a 6 month maturation in French Oak Chardonnay Barrels. This version of Hop God is a fascinating, big, bold Belgian-style Tripel hopped in very high amounts to concentrate citrus, grapefruit and floral aromatics in the nose. The addition of Chardonnay barrel aging adds further dimension and oak tannins to an already wonderfully complex Ale – bringing to mind tropical fruits and peach. We know of nothing that compares – enjoy!

Food pairing as per brewery:  Hors d’ oeuvres = Mushroom Risotto, Cheese = Bleu Cheeses, Gouda, Entrée = Pizza, Gourmet Grilled Burgers, Chimchurri, Roasted Chicken, Desert = Pecan Pie, Lemon Mergane Pie

Coup de Foudre (New World Wild Ale) – Strange Fellows Brewing

by Mike

From Strange Fellows Brewing Company in East Vancouver comes their “Coup de Foudre (New World Wild Ale)”.  This was the first bottle release from their Foudre.  The beer poured a cloudy orange brown colour with an off white head.  The aroma was of oak, cherry, malt vinegar and tartness.  The flavour was of malt vinegar, oak, cherries, dark fruits, toffee, tartness and a dry finish.  The alcohol content comes in at 6% and they list the IBU as low.  This is an excellent execution of a sour ale!

Commercial Description:  Heaven-sent by arrow or lightning bolt, “Love at First Sight” is thought to be a madness inflicted upon unsuspecting beings by the Gods for sport. Others believe it’s that moment of recognition when one first looks upon their other half. Either way, the poor soul didn’t know what hit them. Aged for over a year in our 6000 litre oak Foudre this fruity, complex ale is our tribute to the love struck

Food pairing as per brewery:  Seafood (muscles), Fruit deserts, Fresh cheese, Charcuterie. Quiche