Houston, TX — Saint Arnold Brewing Co. (www.saintarnold.com), the oldest craft brewery in Texas, is releasing Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 today. Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 is another foray for the brewery into the world of blurring beer and wine. Brewer and Wood Cellar Manager Aaron Inkrott aged the Sorachi Ace Dubbel, previously released as the 2014 Icon Red, in red wine barrels from the French region of Bordeaux for 11 months with Brettanomyces, a wild yeast added to the barrels for a secondary fermentation.
The flavor of Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 begins with the reminder that this is first and foremost a beer, with caramel malt and dark fruit sweetness. It quickly takes a turn into a deep, red wine flavor of black currant and tart raspberry. There’s a tannic, oaky bite that complements the overall beer. It finishes with a wine-like tail on the palate. “In two words: wine candy,” says Inkrott.
Inkrott suggests pouring the beer into a snifter or wine glass to bring out an aroma of rich, red wine with sour cherry pie. It pours with a dark/blood red color with a tan head that slowly dissipates and leaves a thin rim around the glass. The aroma is oaky with a Brettanomyces funk of hay and earthy undertones. As it warms, an almond-like nuttiness presents itself.
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 is ready to drink now, however, it will continue to evolve due to the Brettanomyces. It is best enjoyed between 55°F and 60°F.
Future Bishop’s Barrel projects include an Adambier aged in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels and Oat Wine aged in WhistlePig Rye Whiskey barrels.
Bishop’s Barrel 16 Specifications:
Date Brewed: November 19, 2015
Date Barreled: December 3, 2015
Date Bottled: November 23, 2016
Type of Barrel: Bordeaux Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Original Gravity: 1.072
Final Gravity: 1.0115
Alcohol: 8.4% ABV
IBU: 23
The following events are planned for the release of Bishop’s Barrel No. 16:
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel Nos. 15 and 16 at Revelry on Richmond, Houston, Monday, December 12 at 6:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 at Kool Keg Beer and Margaritas, Arlington, Monday, December 12 at 5:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 at The GingerMan, Fort Worth, Tuesday, December 13 at 3:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 at The Brass Tap, Fort Worth, Wednesday, December 14 at 5:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel Nos. 10 – 16 Horizontal Flight at Refinery, Houston, Wednesday, December 14 at 6:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel Nos. 12 and 16, Pumpkinator 2013 and 2016, Christmas Ale and White Noise Movie Night at Stuttgarden Tavern, Galveston, Wednesday, December 14 at 7:30PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 at Guru Burgers & Crepes, Sugar Land, Thursday, December 5 at 6:30PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 16 at Big Hops – The Bridge, San Antonio, Thursday, December 15 at 7:00PM
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel Nos. 14 and 16 and White Noise at Big Hops – Bitters, San Antonio, Thursday, December 22 at 7:00PM
About Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing’s 10 year-round beers, seven seasonals and three special series – Divine Reserve, Icon and Bishop’s Barrel – are made and sold by the company’s staff of 80 dedicated employees. Saint Arnold beers have won 21 medals at the Great American Beer Festival. The brewery on the north side of downtown Houston was listed by Thrillist among the best breweries in America for eating, and Smart Meetings magazine named it among the top breweries to host an event. Saint Arnold is located at 2000 Lyons Avenue and its beer hall open at 11 A.M. Monday through Saturday.