SAN ANTONIO, TX. — Following on the heels of their Small Batch No. 1 release in May, Ranger Creek continues their limited edition, seasonal bottle series with Small Batch No. 2. Keeping with their approach to make each release a completely different recipe, the brewery made Small Batch No. 2 an entirely new beer from No. 1. These seasonal single batch brews were designed to be unique, interesting, and often experimental.
While their first release was an Oak-aged Rye Oatmeal Pale Ale, Small Batch Series No. 2 is a Texas Farmhouse Ale that comes in at 7.7% ABV. The Wallonian-style saison was brewed with spelt malt that has been smoked over 4 Texas fruit woods as a small portion of the grain bill (about 5%). The use of peach, apricot, apple and plum woods add a subtle smokiness and light fruit texture to the earthy-sweet spelt, and marries well with the complexities of the Belgian farmhouse yeast. Earthy, peppery spice, herbal notes, soft ripe fruitiness and light smoke phenols come from fermenting at high temperatures and create a deep, refreshing character. Highly attenuated for a quenching dryness, this traditional saison is an esoteric seasonal that’s made for the Texas summer months. The suggested retail price is $5.49/bottle.
Each Small Batch release is made in small quantities, and there are only about 7,000 bottles of Small Batch No. 2 for all 27 million Texans. The brewery recommends that folks grab a couple of bottles so they can drink one and save the others to add to their collection. Small Batch Series releases are meant to age well over time and will cellar best in a dark place around 50 degrees. Each batch is brewed and bottled by hand and undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle. Pour carefully so as not to rouse the yeast. A unique aspect of Small Batch No. 2 is that the beer is also available on draft. Only one batch each of kegs and bottles was brewed, so once the beer is gone it is gone for good.
Continuing with the Small Batch theme, the label simply indicates “Small Batch Series No. 2”. The unique color, number, and QR code on each label identifies each batch, the details of which can be referenced on Ranger Creek’s website or by scanning the QR code with a smart phone.
Small Batch Series releases are packaged in very unique, 375 ml baby Belgian bottles. The bottles were commissioned by Russian River, who was the only brewery to use them before Ranger Creek. The bottles are wax dipped to protect them from the elements during cellaring. Ranger Creek has updated the wax from the more “aromatic” wax used in No. 1 to an odor-free wax for No. 2.
Small Batch Series No. 2 is available now at the following fine Texas craft beer retailers:
- San Antonio: Central Market, Gabriels Superstore, HEB 1604 and Bandera, HEB 281 and Evans, HEB Alon Market, HEB Vineyards, Pig Liquors, Spec’s DeZavala, Spec’s Live Oak, Dough Pizzeria, Flying Saucer, Luke, and The Cove
- Austin: Chris’ Liquor, Central Market Lamar, Central Market Westgate, Spec’s Arbor Walk, Spec’s Brodie, Sunrise Minimart, Twin Liquors Research, Draughthouse, Flying Saucer, Whip In
- Houston: Coming soon to BRC Gastropub, Central Market, D&Q Minimart, Flying Saucer, and Spec’s
About Ranger Creek:
Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling is the only combined brewery/distillery in Texas, proudly located in San Antonio where they handcraft beer and bourbon one batch at a time. They are the only microbrewery in San Antonio, one of a few combined brewery/distilleries in the U.S., and the only combined operation making both beer and bourbon. They focus on interesting recipes and use local ingredients from the state of Texas as much as possible. The company uses much of the same equipment to make both beer and bourbon, which is possible because in order to make bourbon, beer must be made first. They encourage visitors to San Antonio to sign up for one of their regularly scheduled tours and come by for a visit.