HOUSTON – Saint Arnold Brewing Co., the oldest craft brewery in Texas, today releases Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13, the latest offering from the brewery’s barrel aging program. Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 is a Belgian Quadrupel, originally released three years ago as Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 13, that has been aged for 13 months in bourbon barrels from Woodford Reserve.
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 is available in 12 ounce bottles and on draft. Due to the limited quantities produced from the barrels, Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 is only distributed to pubs and restaurants throughout Texas and Louisiana.
When released in 2013, Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 13 was enthusiastically received. It earned an overall rating of 93 from the community on Ratebeer and 91 on Beer Advocate. The brewers used Munich, CaraVienne and Chocolate malt to create a big, but drinkable full bodied beer with a rich malty palate.
“The idea for this beer started in 2013 when we filled a few bourbon barrels with Divine Reserve No. 13 and set them aside to age for a rare beer tasting event that coincided with our 20th anniversary in 2014,” said brewer Stephen Rawlings who developed the recipe for the base beer. “We had such positive feedback that we added this to the barrel program. Aging in the bourbon barrels brings out all the bourbon flavors – vanillas and fruity character that’s almost like jam that all works together beautifully.”
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 is best enjoyed at 50 to 55 degrees. Something special happens as the beer warms – aromas similar to flan and bananas foster emerge while flavors are reminiscent of a sweet liquid dessert of sticky toffee with dark fruit/cherry parfait accompaniment.
While these beers can be aged, they have done a fair amount of aging in the barrels and are designed to be enjoyed soon after bottling. Future Bishop’s Barrel beers currently aging in the Saint Arnold barrel room include the following: Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels, Barleywine aged in Rye Whiskey barrels, Sorachi Ace Dubbel Aged in Red Wine barrels with brettanomyces, Old Ale aged in white wine barrels with cherries and brettanomyces, and Adambier aged in bourbon barrels.
BB12 Specifications:
- Type of Barrel: Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrels
- Original Gravity: 1.100
- Final Gravity (after barrel): 1.025
- Alcohol: 12.0% ABV after barreling
- Bitterness: 20 IBUs
Among the special release events planned for Bishop’s Barrel 13 are the following:
- Monday, March 21 at 6:30 PM – Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 at Hop Scholar
- Tuesday, March 22 at 6:00 PM – Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 and Divine Reserve No. 16 at Craft Grill, Kuykendahl
- Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00 PM – Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel Nos. 8-13 Horizontal Flight at Wooster’s Garden
- Thursday, March 24 at 6:00 PM – Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 and Divine Reserve No. 16 at Center Court Pizza & Brew, Katy
- Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 PM – Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 13 Divine Reserve No. 16 at Guru Burgers & Crepes
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company:
Saint Arnold Brewing’s 16 brews are made and sold by the company’s staff of 80 dedicated employees. Ranked 46th on the Brewers Association list of top craft breweries, Saint Arnold was listed by USA Today as one of the “10 great places to see what’s brewing in beer,” and Smart Meetings magazine named it among the “Top 5 breweries to host an event.” Saint Arnold is located at 2000 Lyons Avenue and its brewery tour and tasting is offered every weekday at 3:00 P.M. and Saturdays starting at 11 A.M.