PORTLAND, OR. — Widmer Brothers Brewing has launched its Alchemy Project with the release of Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’11. Named for the proprietary hop blend that serves as the foundation for many Widmer Brothers beers, the Alchemy Project is a new series of vintage-dated beers that can be enjoyed immediately or cellared for years.
This is the second year in a row that Widmer Brothers Brewing will release a bourbon barrel-aged version of Brrr, the brewery’s celebrated winter seasonal ale. Barrel Aged Brrrbon was first released in Fall 2010 as part of the brewery’s Brothers’ Reserve Series. Now, as part of the Alchemy Project, beer enthusiasts can look forward to the release of a new batch of Barrel Aged Brrrbon every year for years to come.
“We’re very excited to launch our Alchemy Project with the release of Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’11,” said Rob Widmer. “Like fine wine, the process of cellaring and aging many beers contributes to enhanced flavor profiles and complexity as the beer evolves with time. This series will showcase that evolution.”
Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’11 is the inaugural beer in the Alchemy Project; however, a limited supply of Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’10 was cellared and will be re-released in conjunction with the 2011 beer. The limited-release beers were brewed using the same recipe and brewing process, providing a great opportunity for a two-year vertical tasting that showcases how well this beer ages over time.
“Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’11 is an incredible, big beer. The bourbon barrel-aging process lends notes of oak, vanilla and caramel, while the hop profile balances the sweet candy and fruity flavors,” said Doug Rehberg, a Widmer Brothers brewer. “This is a labor-intensive beer to brew, but it’s a labor of love and one of our favorite beers.”