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Every late summer, right before the wine harvest gets rolling, we invite our local winemaker friends to the brewery to help blend our annual Anniversary Ale. Winemakers are practicing experts in the art of blending, and we realized early on that they could provide invaluable input for creating a seamless beer out of numerous barrel-aged component ales. The winemakers come for both the challenge and the camaraderie. They split up into small teams and create their own preferred blends from the provided components. Each of the resulting trials is then blind tasted by the entire group, and votes are cast for the winning blend. The victorious team walks away with bragging rights—and with a set of coveted cardboard crowns.

The Blend  

The beer pours dark and rich with a creamy tan foam and after a few swirls the beer blossoms with beautiful spirts barrel aromas of toasty Bourbon soaked coconut and brandy filled chocolates.  There is a touch of roasted pecans peeking out as well as some tequila barrel spice.  Tasting the beer reveals more dark chocolate and black cherry with a light touch of grape derived acidity and fruit.  The beer is smooth with vanilla and caramel notes throughout.   A blend of rich stout and refined barley wines, this is an absolutely beautiful beer for a wonderful milestone.

I will let you pour and discover the rest. This beer is unfiltered and unfined, so there can be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. “25” is best enjoyed when poured carefully into a half-filled brandy snifter or wine glass. Swirl and allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. As the beer sits and breathes in the glass, the true complexity of this blend is revealed, so take your time. If you want to wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. Like our other Anniversary offerings, this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. I truly hope you enjoy our 16th oak-aged blend!

Russell of Herman Story Wines and Taylor Mathiesen of Booker Vineyard, along with Brewmaster’s Collective Club Member Paul R. (& Guest Christian S.), created the winning blend that became “25.”