Number 26 , a barrel aged imperial porter, has been released. https://www.saintarnold.com/bishops-barrel-no-26
Grabbed two today! Hopefully they keep rolling these out AND mayyyybe this means we'll see a return of the Divine Reserve series!?
Yeah, I had it at their beer garden over the weekend. I thought it was fine, but I guess I'm just not that into barrel aged beers with lots of additives anymore. If it was just with coffee, or one other thing then I probably would have liked it better. Though then, not much would differentiate it from their barrel aged French Press versions...so what do I know. I think others will enjoy it a lot more than I did, cause it is well made for what it is. I'm just remembering all the epic events that Hay Merchant and other beer bars would have around Houston when these use to only be released at bars and restaurants ha.
I'm taking Feb off from drinking, but looking forward to trying this one. I like barrel aged beers (and especially love barrel aged coffee beers), and St. Arnold typically (always?) strikes a nice balance, so no reason for me to think this'll be some sort of overly sweet pastry bomb (no thanks!).
Glad to see this series back, I hope it does well. I'm in the "less adjuncts the better" camp as well. Coffee and coconut or vanilla would be an instant grab for me. I'm looking for beer, not a mixed drink.
Honestly, I don't think this release made much of a splash. I randomly came across it on tap at the brewery, and I think a few stores like Specs got some bottles. Though, it just didn't seem to make much of an impact like these did in the past. Some of that may be the way things are now, or that Saint Arnold does several other barrel aged offerings throughout the year (which I prefer to this particular release). Anyway, I'm probably going to end up at their beer garden on Friday, for some fish & chips and they have a new "imperial" Irish Stout, a new Irish Red, and I"m sure I'll be happy with that ha.
I think it's just the way things are now. We all know the general state of craft beer - no one is lining up anymore. My HEB is still sitting on about a case. I don't know if it's their first case or not....but it's still there. That would have never happened during the original Bishops Barrel run days. I'm hoping it sells well enough for them to continue this release and do more. AND HOPEFULLY BRING BACK DIVINE RESERVE, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, SAINT ARNOLD!
