JUNEAU, AK – Alaskan Brewing Co’s limited release Barley Wine is returning a month earlier than years past for craft beer fans to celebrate the holidays in Alaskan style. A big beer for big Alaska winters, this award-winning brew releases December 1 and is ideal for sharing with friends during the coldest season.
“One of my favorite things about our barley wine is that it is great when enjoyed fresh,” says Alaskan Quality Assurance Analyst Darin Jensen. “It’s a fresh and dynamic beer that doesn’t need to be ‘laid down’ like some barley wines; you can enjoy it right away.”
But while some like it fresh, the bottling of each vintage of Alaskan Barley Wine also allows individuals to age it to their liking. It is an ideal cellaring beer to collect for vertical tastings as it gains deeper malt complexity, smoothness and more dark fruit flavors over time. “The first bottle release of our Barley Wine was in 2008, so we are excited to line up and compare the four vintages to see how the flavors are developing.”
The balanced collaboration between hops, malt and alcohol in this beer highlights the American barley wine style, earning Alaskan Barley Wine top honors at the West Coast’s premier Barley Wine competitions — Toronado (2007) and Hard Liver (2009) – and Bronze at the 2008 and 2010 World Beer Cup for both fresh and aged vintages.
The 2011 vintage of Alaskan Barley Wine will be available in December in select retail locations throughout the 12 states where Alaskan Beer is sold, including Alaskan’s newest markets, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Those who live outside these areas can learn about where to find it online at www.alaskanbeer.com/our-brew/find-our-beer.html.
About Alaskan Brewing Co.
Alaskan Brewing Co. is celebrating its 25th year handcrafting award-winning beer in Juneau, Alaska. The Alaskan Brew Crew has been bottling the unique character of the Last Frontier with historic recipes, local ingredients and glacier-fed water since 1986. Alaskan Brewing handcrafts Amber, Pale, White, IPA, Stout, Smoked Porter, Winter Ale, Summer Ale and a variety of limited edition beers in the Alaskan Pilot Series. Visit www.alaskanbeer.com.