Karl Strauss Debuts Barrel Aged Wrecked Alley in New Cask Series

San Diego, CA – Karl Strauss Brewing Company is introducing a new line-up of 22 oz. bombers dubbed internally as the Cask Series.  The first beer to debut in this series is a bourbon barrel-aged version of Wreck Alley Imperial Stout.  The company has been at the forefront of cask-conditioned ales in San Diego and hosts weekly cask tappings at each of its brewery restaurants.  The cask program has allowed the brewers to flex their creativity and create truly unique, one-time-only offerings.  The new cask-inspired series was born out of demand from customers to bottle favorite versions of beers that first debuted on cask.

“The cask program offers us the ability to experiment with flavor profiles and ingredients on a weekly basis,” says Paul Segura, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss Brewing Company.  “We’ve come up with some really innovative recipes like Big Barrel with fresh green chilies, Red Trolley with Grand Marnier orange peels, and several versions of oaked Wreck Alley.  It’s fun to push the envelope and see fans come out for their favorites each week.”   The bottled Cask Series will capture the pioneering spirit of the weekly cask program and offer fans across the state the chance to try these small-batch offerings.

Batch #1 in the cask-inspired series is an unblended barrel-aged Wreck Alley Imperial Stout.  Wreck Alley was introduced to Karl’s Imperial Collection last year and instantly became a fan favorite.  This rich imperial stout is brewed with cold-steeped, locally roasted Ethiopian coffee from Bird Rock Roasters and Peruvian cocoa nibs from TCHO Chocolate Company in San Francisco.  Wreck Alley’s creamy mouthfeel and bold coffee flavors make it an excellent choice for cask conditioning with bourbon-soaked oak chips.  The popularity of the oaked Wreck Alley casks compelled the brewers to purchase more than 50 Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels to recreate the flavor profiles of this beer on a larger scale.

This limited-edition recipe matured in American oak barrels for three months.  The final result is a complex imperial stout with pronounced vanilla, espresso, and toasted oak with hints of bourbon and dark chocolate.  Only 400 cases of Batch #1 will be available across California in March.  For more information on Karl Strauss’ cask-inspired series, visit www.karlstrauss.com.  Share it. Cheers.

Specs:
10% ABV
50 IBU
100 SRM

Bottle Copy:

Barrel-Aged Wreck Alley Imperial Stout: Batch #1 – March, 2013

When we tasted the first batch of Wreck Alley Imperial Stout, we knew barrel-aged versions were in the cards. The only questions were when and how often? Batch #1 answers the first question, and as for Batch #2, you’ll just have to wait and see. Brewed with the same darkly-kilned malts, cocoa nibs, and Ethiopian coffee beans, Batch #1 was aged three months in American oak bourbon barrels. The resulting brew is a dark, unblended, and richly flavored union of dark chocolate, espresso, bourbon, and toasted oak. Grab a bottle while you can, this limited release won’t be around for long.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Since 1989, Karl Strauss Brewing Company has pioneered the local beer scene in San Diego. 23 years later, the company continues to brew an innovative line-up of award-winning beers ranging from longtime favorites like Red Trolley Ale to new releases like Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. In 2011, the company brewed 40,000 barrels and ranked #44 on the list of the country’s top craft breweries. To keep up with double-digit sales growth, the company is adding capacity to its brewery, expanding distribution throughout California, opening a new brewery restaurant, and breaking ground on an extensive brewery renovation.

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