BOULDER, CO – Avery Brewing Company’s newest additions to its Barrel-Aged Series test new waters in craft beer. On Saturday, February 11th, 2012, the brewery will release 2 different beers from its barrel-aging cellar at the Avery Tap Room in Boulder, CO. The two ales will give a new look at the incorporation of grapes and wild fermentation into barrel-aged brewing, and each offers a taste of what’s possible from two ends of the grape spectrum.
For Muscat d’Amour, 150 gallons of Muscat Blanc grape must provided 25% of the beer’s fermentables, and malted barley provided the rest. After Avery’s house Belgian and Brettanomyces yeast strains did their job, and 14 months in fresh Chardonnay barrels, brewers were left with a 10.78% ABV light golden ale imparting suggestions of dry white wine, soft malt, and savory earthiness.
Avery’s chief Barrel Herder Andy Parker took a similar tack with the Récolte Sauvage, taking advantage of 150 gallons of Cabernet Sauvignon grape must for a quarter of the fermentables. After naturally occurring wild yeasts from the harvested grape skins took care of fermentation, the beer spent 14 months aging in fresh Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. With a quick nod to red wine, this 11.03% ABV red ale presents tastes of cherries, rich grapes and oak tannins. Parker looked to Bookcliff Vineyards on Colorado’s western slope for the grapes in both beers. “No sulfites were used on the grapes,” he said, “which means that wild yeasts living on the grapes were allowed to help on the primary fermentations.”
The Avery Tap Room in Boulder, CO, will host the simultaneous release of these exclusive ales the weekend before Valentine’s Day, starting sales at 5pm on Saturday, February 11th, 2012. Fans will be limited to 6 bottles of each for $8 per 12 oz. bottle. Due to extremely limited quantities, the beers will only be released in the state of Colorado. For more information, beer connoisseurs can check www.averybrewing.com or email info@averybrewing.com.