Alpine Good v. Great ABVs

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by deleted_user_570457, Jun 16, 2012.

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  1. deleted_user_570457

    deleted_user_570457 Zealot (728) Feb 21, 2011

    I was wondering if someone could shed light on how Alpine's base barleywine Good (17%) becomes significantly less alcoholic after being whiskey barrel-aged when it's released as Great (14%)…

    Thanks.

    - S
     
    #1 deleted_user_570457, Jun 16, 2012
  2. Woodie

    Woodie Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2011 California

    Alcohol evaporates during prolonged barrel aging. The evaporated alcohol from barrel aging is typically referred to as the "angel's share"
     
    #2 Woodie, Jun 16, 2012
  3. deleted_user_570457

    deleted_user_570457 Zealot (728) Feb 21, 2011

    I was under the impression that the phenomenon you described refers to the evaporation of actual liquid, not overall alcohol by volume.
     
    #3 deleted_user_570457, Jun 16, 2012
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  4. auroracrisis

    auroracrisis Initiate (0) Oct 16, 2007 Kentucky

    It is. He's wrong.
     
    #4 auroracrisis, Jun 16, 2012
  5. OneBeertoRTA

    OneBeertoRTA Initiate (0) Jan 2, 2010 California

    I prefer the Devil's Cut
     
    #5 OneBeertoRTA, Jun 16, 2012
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  6. phthisis37

    phthisis37 Crusader (463) Dec 15, 2011 Florida
    Trader

    "This loss of spirit due to evaporation is affectionately known as the angels’ share.
    Depending on the temperature and humidity conditions, discussed above, the evaporation
    will result in an increase in percent alcohol or a decrease. The actual increase or decrease
    is really a function of more water evaporating than alcohol, or vice versa. For example,
    high-humidity warehouses result in a decrease in percent alcohol, and lower-humidity ones
    result in an increase."

    Excerpt from distilling.com on barrel aging.
     
    #6 phthisis37, Jun 17, 2012
  7. haddon

    haddon Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2009 Kentucky

    Based on the loss of ABV, it would seem they have the name backwards going from Great to Good. :wink:
     
    #7 haddon, Jun 17, 2012
  8. deleted_user_570457

    deleted_user_570457 Zealot (728) Feb 21, 2011

    A 3% differential, though? Seems kinda extreme.*

    Take another San Diego brewery - Old Viscosity (10%) v. Older Viscosity (12%) - makes more sense to me (also considering residual barrel alcohol, which is admittedly probably negligible…)

    *Are there any other cases of a comparable dip in alcohol content after booze barrel aging that anyone knows of?
     
    #8 deleted_user_570457, Jun 17, 2012
  9. Shilt

    Shilt Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2011 Virginia

    Not positive if they use the same base beer, but Olde Hickory's Imperial Stout w/ honey is 10.6% ABV, while barrel aged The Event Horizon is 8.5%. So that would be a noticeable difference. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong about this though.
     
    #9 Shilt, Jun 17, 2012
  10. commis

    commis Initiate (0) Jul 21, 2009 Massachusetts

    Different base-beer.
     
    #10 commis, Jun 17, 2012
  11. onefalsemove711

    onefalsemove711 Crusader (498) Jul 20, 2011 California
    Trader

    Good = Higher ABV / Great = Better taste. Hence "Great."
     
    #11 onefalsemove711, Jun 17, 2012
  12. Vanlingleipa

    Vanlingleipa Maven (1,468) May 19, 2011 California
    Trader

    You wouldn't say that if you were lucky enough to try one. Outstanding beer. I do get yer point, tho
     
    #12 Vanlingleipa, Jun 17, 2012
  13. ChadQuest

    ChadQuest Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2009 Illinois

    On a semi-related side note, how often is Good even released?
     
    #13 ChadQuest, Jun 18, 2012
  14. domtronzero

    domtronzero Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2007 California

    Good isn't released in bottles, but some of it makes its way around in keg-form.
     
    #14 domtronzero, Jun 18, 2012
  15. ChadQuest

    ChadQuest Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2009 Illinois

    How often are kegs out? is a Growler possible? I'd tap that.
     
    #15 ChadQuest, Jun 19, 2012
  16. domtronzero

    domtronzero Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2007 California

    I don't think I've ever seen growler fills, and good really only comes out when they brew it as a base for great. But they hold back kegs and they go on tap around town very infrequently.
     
    #16 domtronzero, Jun 19, 2012
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