Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/29)

It looks like we're in for a great new release week in Denver coming off the Thanksgiving holiday. For the first time in a while, we're getting new releases that aren't seasonals! You'll definitely want to be on the lookout for the Sam Adams Barrel Room collection brews (covered here). Denver is one of 4 locations to get these beers and after trying the American Kriek I can assure you they're worth the $9.99 price tag. Definitely my favorite offerings from Sam Adams.

Another "can't-miss" beer is Boulevard's Bourbon Barrel Quad. This is the latest release in their Smokestack Series and it sounds fantastic. The brewers aged an abbey-style quadrupel in various oak barrels for up to a year then carefully blended them together. The end result has "very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore."

Oh and a collaboration beer from two little breweries in California and Delaware has finally reached Denver.  Only a limited number of bottles of Life & Limb (from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, in case you didn't figure that out) were sent to Colorado, and from what I understand they are going quick. In fact, some stores aren't even putting it on shelves, so be sure to ask an associate wherever you shop.  If you miss out on a bottle though there is always the tapping party at Falling Rock tonight!

New beer releases in the Denver area this week:

• Birrificio Montegioco Demon Hunter (New)
• Birrificio Montegioco Draco (New)
• Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad (Limited Release)
• Goose Island Pere Jacques (New)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room American Kriek (Limited Release)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room New World Tripel (Limited Release)
• Sam Adams Barrel Room Stony Brook Red (Limited Release)
• Southampton Cuvee des Fluers (New)
• Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (New/Rare)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/25)

A small new release list this week, but it features some very rare beers that surely won't be on shelves for long. I've already covered Goose Island's fantastic Bourbon County Stout here, but their Christmas Ale is also one you'll want to pick up. Additionally, one-off releases from Widmer Brothers and Redhook have arrived in Denver and a favorite winter seasonal from New Belgium should be available again.

If you're looking for a place to find all these great beers, check out Lukas Liquor in Lone Tree (about 15-20 minutes south of Denver) as they're also having a special beer tasting today from 4:00pm to 7:00pm featuring brews from Left Hand Brewing.  This week they'll have Left Hand's Warrior IPA, Black Jack Porter, Sawtooth Ale, and amazing Milk Stout available for tasting.  Plus a representative from the brewery will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

New beers available in the Denver area:

• Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (Seasonal)
• Goose Island Christmas Ale (Seasonal)
• Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak DoppelBock (Limited Release)
• Redhook Treblehook Barleywine (Limited Release)
• New Belgium Frambozen (Seasonal)

2009 Bourbon County Stout arrives in Colorado

The word is out that the 2009 batch of my favorite beer, Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout, has just arrived in Colorado.  This highly acclaimed brew (100% rating on Rate Beer and an A over at Beer Advocate) is not like anything you've had before. Even other barrel aged stouts can't compare to it's complex chocolate, vanilla, oak, and bourbon flavor.  In fact, it tastes as much like bourbon as a drink can get without being bourbon.  It is also a beer designed for cellaring (up to 5 years), as age can significantly change the flavors.  That has me really looking forward to doing a vertical tasting with one of my remaining bottles of the 2008 batch to see how it's changed.  This year's version is available in both 12 oz and 22 oz bottles, but I've heard only 65 cases were sent to Colorado so grab it while you can.

From Goose Island:

Brewed in honor of the 1000th batch at our original Clybourn brewpub. A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer. A great cigar beer.

Recipe Information:
Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Alcohol by Volume: 13%
International Bitterness Units: 60
Color: Midnight
Hops: Willamette
Malt: 2-Row, Munich, Chocolate, Caramel, Roast Barley, Debittered Black

Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Snifter
Preferred Serving Temperature: 40º
Food Pairings: Flourless Chocolate Cake
Cheese Pairings: Capriole Bourbon Chocolate Torte
Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years