Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 5 Out Monday
(Houston, TX) – Brewer Vince Mandeville had a favorite Wee Heavy recipe he kept tinkering with that ultimately became our Divine Reserve No. 4 released in 2007. We weren’t the only ones that enjoyed it as it won the gold medal at the World Beer Cup in 2008 in the Strong Scotch Ale category. It is still drinking exceptionally well over six years later.
We rebrewed the recipe in December of 2012 and this time put it in bourbon barrels and aged it for nine months. Next week, it will be coming to you as Bishop’s Barrel No. 5. Here are Vince’s tasting notes on it:
The flavors and aromas of the base beer are true to the Divine Reserve No. 4. It is filled with caramel, toffee, dried figs, cocoa and a slight peatiness. Where it deviates is with the roundness of flavors the bourbon barrel contributes. Vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of rich earthy pipe tobacco mix with an alcohol warmth that adds to the rich creaminess. The great thing about this beer is that the barrel aging adds to the whole without taking away the character of the original.
Please remember, because of the small amount of beer produced from the barrels, Bishop’s Barrel releases are only available at your favorite bars and restaurants.
Bishop’s Barrel No. 5 Stats
| Style: | Bourbon Barrel Wee Heavy Scotch Ale |
| Date Brewed: | December 12, 2012 |
| Date Racked: | January 16, 2013 |
| Date Bottled: | October 25, 2013 |
| Beer style in bbl: | Wee Heavy Scotch Ale |
| Type of Barrel: | Old Forester bourbon barrels |
| Original Gravity: | 1.083 |
| Final Gravity: | 1.020 |
| Alcohol: | 9.0% ABV prior to barreling |
| 12.0% ABV after barreling | |
| Bitterness: | 19 IBU |
Description: The base beer is Divine Reserve No. 4, brewer Vince Mandeville’s Wee Heavy recipe that won the gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup in Strong Scotch Ale category. Here are his tasting notes:
The flavors and aromas of the base beer are true to the Divine Reserve No. 4. It is filled with caramel, toffee, dried figs, cocoa and a slight peatiness. Where it deviates is with the roundness of flavors the bourbon barrel contributes. Vanilla, cinnamon and touch of rich earthy pipe tobacco mix with an alcohol warmth that adds to the rich creaminess. The great thing about this beer is that the barrel aging adds to the whole without taking away the character of the original.
The warmer this beer gets the better it tastes. We recommend enjoying between 55°F and 60°F.
