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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/422286
www.cheersonline.com 42 • November / December 2014 and known for a different style? "I think it's just a great way for people to try something new from a brewery— something that a lot of effort went into creating," Steele says. Blending also allows brewers to expand their boundaries, "With beers like the Mixtape series, it allows some creativity and the opportunity to come up with something completely different than the beers that go into the blend," says Steele. BARREL-AGED BEER BLENDS Beer that has been barrel-aged often requires blending. Goose Island in Chicago is one of the most successful breweries to delve into aging beer in bourbon barrels: Its Bourbon County Stout contributed to the rise in popularity of bourbon barrel-aged beer. This stout is aged in bourbon barrels for months, then tested and blended to form a viscous, black beer. The brew smells of char and vanilla, tastes of caramel and tobacco, and weighs in at a whopping 14% to 15% ABV (depending on the year). Equal in intensity but different in style is Firestone Walker Brewing Co.'s Anniversary blend series. If blending were an extreme sport, these guys would be your champions. The Paso Robles, CA-based brewer's annual release may be the ultimate blended beer: XVIII Anniversary (2014) incorporates seven unique component beers aged in bourbon, brandy and whiskey barrels. The components and their blending percentage include Parabola (Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout, 38%), Helldorado (Blonde Barleywine, 16%), Bravo (Imperial Brown Ale, 16%), Stickee Monkee (Central Coast Quad, 14%), Velvet Merkin (Oatmeal Stout, 5%), Hydra Cuvée (Hybrid Dark Ale, 4%), Wookey Jack (Black Rye IPA, 3%), Ol' Leghorn (Blonde Barleywine, 2%), and Double Jack (Double IPA, 2%). The brewery brought 14 local winemakers in to assist in the blending process. "I'm not aware of any other beer that is blended like this, from so many distinct components," says Firestone Walker's brewmaster Matt Brynildson. "That's why we bring in the winemakers." The company's 13% ABV Anniversary XVIII release is available now. The blended beer has a suggested retail price of $23.99 for a 22-oz. Bottle. But are most customers prepared to drink beers of this strength and complexity? "It's not diffi cult selling a well-made type of barrel-aged beer," says bartender Tom Cathcart, who has been serving craft beer at the casual-chic Chicago bar and restaurant Uncommon Ground for nearly 10 years. "Of course, I wouldn't push it on the guy who wants a Schlitz, but most of my guests know the different styles these days." Customers also know the different prices of specialty beers, Cathcart adds. "Five years ago, a 10-oz. pour of a barrel-aged stout for $9 raised eyebrows. Recently, folks see that as a steal." Cathcart says that his guests enjoy New Holland Brewing Co.'s barrel-aged beers, such as its Dragon's Milk stout. "Dragon's Milk is on draft again, and we always have success with that. It's familiar, and it's a big beer." Paso Robles, CA-based Firestone Walker Brewing Co. brought in 14 local wine- makers to assist in the blending process of its XVIII Anniversary beer. Library Alehouse in Santa Monica, CA, offers several unique beer blends.