Read this today and am simply sharing the information because I enjoy what Block 15 is doing. Barrel Matured Beer in 2013 It has always been my goal to have a barrel-matured beer on tap at all times in the pub. With over 150 barrels maturing in our cellars, some up to 3 years old, this goal could be realized in 2013. Several of these beers we have brewed for the second or third time, slightly tweaking the recipes and processes to evolve our barrel programs and increase quality. Others are first time blends that will include our oldest barrels; a time capsule of our barrel program. As we hit full stride we have also run out of room for more barrels in our cellars. In a way, this is a relief to our brewery as we can focus on our current programs and continue to fine-tune our barreled beers. Though when a unique barrel type is found, or inspiration pops into my head, it will become more and more difficult to deny the need, and want, for more barrel maturation space. 2013 looks like it will be a fun year for our brewery and tap list. I have posted a tentative release calendar below. It is important to note that barrel maturation is a very living way to condition beer. Sometimes the beer will take much longer, or not as long as anticipated. Or, sometimes the amount we plan on blending will become greatly reduced or increased due to barrel quality, or blend needs. This would make some brewers crazy, but we embrace it! Also, not every planned barrel matured beer is listed below. We like to have a few secrets up our sleeve so we won’t mention them until they hit the taps and shelves. We plan to continue the pattern of four release weekends a year for the larger offerings, paired with a limited offering. In addition, we will release some limited bottles in-between these four offerings. We are having a custom small lot-blending tank made to accommodate packaging single barrel to three-barrel blends. Where can you find our beer outside of Block 15? Currently, our massive distribution network involves my truck and a dozen or so awesome craft beer spots in Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene. We do not plan on increasing distribution out of our current brewery, though we plan on more consistent deliveries occurring the first week of each month. Ideally, we always bottle enough beer that it lasts at least the weekend of release, and are able to send cases to our accounts outside of Corvallis. Beers with “distribution” noted next to them will hit our normal drop off points. These are beers where we bottle more than 90 cases. “Limited distribution” indicates that we normally will release beer to only a few locations outside of the pub. “Very limited” indicates that we may or many not release any depending on whether the bottles last past the weekend release. The best way to get inside information on what and when bottles will be released is through our newsletter Approximate Barrel Matured Beer Release Schedule Winter 2013 Louis le Whopper Cognac barrel matured Barley Wine w/blood orange peel and juice. On Tap now! Draught only. Pappy’s Dark Bourbon barrel strong ale. Draught Feb. 1st. Bottles Feb. 2nd. no growlers, normal distribution Super Nebula Bourbon barrel Imperial Stout w/cocoa nibs. Draught Feb. 1st, bottles Feb 2nd, no growlers, limited distribution. Hypnosis Blended bourbon barrel barley wine. Draught & growler fills Feb.1st Enchantment wild/sour blended Oud Bruin 6-33months. 1st & 2nd run bourbon barrels. Draught Feb 1st, no growlers. Limited bottles sometime in March or April. Limited distribution. Special Anniversary Releases, March 2nd Three Five-year Anniversary beers will be released on draught and in bottles, pub only. These include a non-barreled beer, a three year single barrel, and two barrel blend. More info to come soon. Spring Flanders style wild/sour strong red brandy barrels, blend matured up to 26 months. Draught and possibly limited bottles, limited distribution. Year old lambic and peach lambic styles from our turbid mashed, cool shipped, spontaneous program: Very limited draught & bottles. Very limited distribution, if any. Summer Ferme de la Ville Provisions Blended oak barrel wild farmhouse. Draught & bottles, normal distribution. Ferme de la Ville: Two-year Single Barrel Expression Limited draught & bottles. Golden Canary Blended wild/sour golden. Draught & limited bottles, limited distribution. Fall Cellar Stash Brunch date TBD. Bottles of previous releases, vintage bottles, Brewer’s Brunch Blend a blend of Imagine, Super Nebula & Nebula barreled into 20 yr Van Winkle barrels with Tahitian vanilla pods and Aeropressed Stumptown coffee beans. Limited bottles & draught. Exclusive cellar stash and bottle brunch release. No distribution. September/October Framboise White Wild/sour Wit with golden raspberries in chardonnay barrels. Draught & bottles, limited distribution Strawberry Fields Wild/sour farmhouse ale with local strawberries in Pinot Noir barrels. Draught & bottles, limited distribution. The Demons Farm Wild black farmhouse in bourbon & pinot noir barrels with local cherries. Draught & bottles, normal distribution Honeybell, A Tangelo Project wild farmhouse ale brewed and fermented with honeybell tangelo peel and juice, matured in Cognac barrels. Draught and very limited bottles, very limited distribution if any. Coconut Baltic Porter Caribbean rum barrels. Draught and limited bottles, limited distribution. November Figgy Pudding Strong English ale in brandy barrels with figs & spice. Draught & bottles, normal distribution. Imagine Bourbon barrel Belgian Imperial Stout. Draught & bottles, limited distribution. Kriek, A Three Summer’s Cuvee Blended oud bruin matured in 1st & 2nd run bourbon with local tart cherries, draught & bottles, limited distribution. Our distribution list: Portland Baileys, draught & bottles Belmont Station, draught & bottles Hop & Vine, draught & bottles Saraveza, draught & bottles 1856, draught & bottles The Beermongers, draught & bottles Bridgetown Beerhouse, draught & bottles Beaumont Market, bottles Wildwood, bottles Grain & Gristle, draught Various Markets of Choice, bottles Eugene The Bier Stein, draught & bottles 16 Tons, draught & bottles Whirled Pies, draught Market of Choice, bottles Corvallis Corvallis Brewing Supply, bottles Market of Choice, bottles
