Hello All, Yazoo just re-released Lignage Á Trois which was aged in "red wine barrels that once held Tennessee whiskey." Was the whiskey held in barrels that previously held wine, or was the wine held in barrels that previously held whiskey? Is this a common practice for distillers and vintners? Thanks.
This is the note that is on this beer's 'retired' page http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/9020/150555/: 100% brett red ale with raspberries, aged in red wine barrels that previously held Tennessee whiskey. So depending on the source or validity of that note (which is the same as what your label says, thus probably the brewery), it sounds like the barrels' first use was whiskey. Brewers are using all kinds of barrels nowadays, and third and fourth uses of them probably involve different beers. A recent thread discussed barrels that were originally bourbon, then beer, and then bourbon again. Breweries that also are vintners as well as small distillers have these options, but I don't think there are that many beverage cross-over operations.
An interesting article on a similar topic. https://www.quora.com/When-whiskey-...fect-does-it-have-on-the-taste-of-the-whiskey
Whiskey is matured/finished in ex-wine casks fairly often, but I've never heard of wine being aged in former whiskey casks, or former anything casks for that matter. My guess would be that these were wine barrels first, then used for whiskey, then the beer.
Hey Mothergoose03, Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question. I requested an update through BA that this beer be "un-retired" as it was brewed again. Per the article posted by HopsintheSack, I think the barrels probably held wine first. HopsintheSack, Thanks for taking the time to respond and thank you so much for the article. That is EXACTLY the information that I was looking for. Incredibly informative. Hey oldbean, Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my post. According to the article that HopsintheSack posted, I think you're probably right. I emailed Yazoo to further inquire about this particular beer: Hey Yazoo, I have a quick question about your Lignage Á Trois. According to the description on the bottle, Lignage Á Trois is "A 100% BRETTANOMYCES-FERMENTED RED ALE WITH RASPBERRIES, AGED IN LOCAL RED WINE BARRELS THAT ONCE HELD TENNESSEE WHISKEY, FOR THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF THREE TENNESSEE LINEAGES!" I was wondering if the whiskey was held in barrels that previously held wine, or was the wine held in barrels that previously held whiskey? I started a thread about this question on BeerAdvocate at: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/wine-barrels-that-held-whiskey.390173/ Thanks for taking any time to read and answer this question. I have previously drank only two "sour" beers; Kasteel Rouge and your Barrel-Aged Brett Saison 2014 (12oz) purchased for $5.99 at Party Mart in Jackson TN. Tonight I bought a bottle of Lignage Á Trois at The Forked Vine in Jackson, TN. They received 12 bottles and there is a 1 bottle limit per person at $20.99. I'll wait for your response before drinking it, as I'd like to learn as much as possible and try to understand what I'm drinking. Thanks again for taking any time to read and respond to this email. I love your beers. My favorites are your Pale Ale, various Hop Projects, and your Sue. Thanks again, Evan. I'll respond in this thread when I receive a response from Yazoo. Thanks again to everyone for reading and replying. Cheers.
This guy thinks the order was whisky barrels that were then used for wine and then used for beer. http://embracethefunk.com/2014/12/02/barrel-filling-procedure-and-etf-updates/
Hey drtth, Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and for the article. According to your article and the one who brewed this beer: "Lignage A Trois(100% Brettanomyces Fermented Red Ale with Raspberries aged in barrels that once held Jack Daniels, then Arrington Vineyard’s Antebellum Red Wine then our beer.)" So I guess we have our answer. The barrels in which this beer was aged first held Jack Daniels and then Arrington Vineyard's Antebellum Red Wine. You can check out Arrington Vineyard's website here. I'll still reply to this thread once I receive a direct response from Yazoo, and again after I try the beer. Thanks again to Mothergoose03, HopsintheSack, oldbean, and drtth for participating in this thread. Cheers.
Added note. According to Arrington Vineyard's website, their Antebellum 2013 is $32.99 per bottle, and the following information is provided: Antebellum 2013: Tasting Notes: Aromas of molasses, leather, and chocolate covered cherries are followed by flavors of cherry cola and wild blackberries with a hint of TN whiskey. Winemaker Notes: Made primarily from a blend of TN grown Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this red wine blend was “twice barrel aged”. We aged this wine in French oak wine barrels for a year, then we transferred the wine to used TN whiskey barrels for an additional six months of aging. Whiskey barrel aging mellows the wine and infuses it with extra layers of complexity. Food Pairing: BBQ, hearty soups, lamb, pork dishes, aged cheeses and pecan pie. Thanks again, everyone!
Hi Evan, I didn't see your original email, sorry. We get the freshly dumped Arrington barrels that they use for the second barrel aging of Antebellum, which they got from a certain local TN whiskey distillery. Arrington ages the wine in French oak for about a year, then another aging in the freshly dumped TN whiskey barrels for another six months or so. Our beer spends about a year fermenting in the barrels, and then gets another charge of raspberries that the Brett work on another four months or so. I hope you enjoy it! Cheers, Linus Hall Yazoo Brewing
Hey Linus, No worries about the email. I think we were able to piece together the info you provided from Brandon's Embrace the Funk website and Arrington's website. Still, I do appreciate you taking the time to reply to this thread as I'm sure you guys are very busy. I'm drinking your Lignage Á Trois this weekend with friends, and I love all of your beers that I've tried. Also, on Brandons site, at the end of 2014 he wrote "The barrel cellar build continues. We are expecting some more equipment this week, mainly another stainless Brite tank. We have a great variety of barrels full of beer (Sangiovese, Cognac, Bourbon, Merlot, Sherry, Rum etc…)" so I'm excited for the future. Thanks again. Cheers, Evan.
