Dry Dock Brewing Releases Bligh’s Barleywine Ale

Aurora, CO – The barrel-aged barleywine from Dry Dock Brewing, Bligh’s Barleywine Ale, is back for the third year, available in very small quantities and only in the state of Colorado. Bligh’s Barleywine will be available starting Sunday, February 23 at 11 am at Dry Dock’s tasting room on E. Hampden Avenue and in Colorado area stores starting Monday, February 24.

Bligh’s is aged in whiskey barrels for seven months before hitting a bottle, creating prominent bourbon and oak flavors in this very complex ale. It’s a malty beer with a strong caramel background, with hints of dark fruits and a touch of bitterness. The nose wafts coconut, coffee, and a smooth hint of alcohol. Bligh’s Barleywine Ale comes in at 10.5% ABV.

This larger-than-life beer is accordingly named after William Bligh, Vice Admiral of the Blue who was the captain of the HMS Bounty. Originally crafted by Dry Dock owner Kevin DeLange, Bligh’s is a higher alcohol version of DeLange’s HMS Bounty Old Ale that has been barrel aged. Bligh made history when his crew lead a mutiny on board— the famous Mutiny on the Bounty— and he was set afloat in a small boat near Tahiti. Forty seven days later, the nautical hero arrived safely in Timor in the Dutch East Indies, an epic feat that created his long-lasting legacy.

Bligh’s will be available in 22-ounce bomber bottles, and less than 400 cases will be distributed throughout the state of Colorado. The release of Bligh’s only happens once each year.

Dry Dock Brewing, named for co-owner Kevin DeLange’s love of nautical history and its location in landlocked Colorado, is Aurora, Colorado’s first microbrewery, founded in 2005. DeLange and Michelle Reding first opened the homebrew supply shop, The Brew Hut, next door and took on brewing as a side project in a tiny, 800-square foot brewery with only 25 seats. What began as a speakeasy has become one of Colorado’s largest craft breweries.

Also last year, Dry Dock took home five medals from the Great American Beer Festival. In total, Dry Dock has been the recipient of 18 GABF medals, the prestigious Brewers Association’s Small Brewery of the Year award, and four World Beer Cups.

Find Dry Dock Brewing online at drydockbrewing.com. Follow the company on Facebook at facebook.com/DryDockBrewing and on Twitter @DryDockBrewing.