Oregon Craft Beer rolls out another Zwickelmania, a chance to get an inside look at breweries, on Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 120 or more breweries around the state, including four in the Gorge: pFriem Family Brewers, Thunder Island in Cascade Locks, Double Mountain Brewery, and Full Sail Brewery — which will present its new Bourbon Barrel Aged Wheatwine Ale, paired with Moonstruck Chocolate Beer Berries.
“Cold turkey” takes on a whole new meaning with Full Sail’s latest beer from its Brewmaster Reserve Series — Bourbon Barrel Aged Wheatwine Ale, available now.
“Originally released in 2014 to celebrate our 27th anniversary, Wheatwine is brewed in the Barleywine style, yet contains no barley malt,” said Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “We reserved a portion of this special brew, racked it into Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels, and let it rest for a year in our cellar,” added Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “Barrel aging rounds out this big beer.”
Wheatwine is brewed with wheat and caramelized wheat malts and hopped with a blend of English and Northwest hops. Complex aromas of apricot, spice, and citrus lead to a smooth palate, blended with notes of caramel, marmalade, and green hop overtones. It pours a rich honey hue and opens up with complex aromas of barrel oak, vanilla and apricot. The spicy hop character has mellowed to accentuate flavors of vanilla, marmalade and dates. It finishes with a remarkable smoothness and a creamy mouthfeel.
What’s even better than Wheatwine Ale aged in Bourbon barrels? Wheatwine Ale aged in Bourbon barrels served alongside Moonstruck chocolate. On Saturday, in conjunction with the Oregon Brewers Guild’s annual Zwickelmania Brewery Open House, the Full Sail Brewery will be pairing Bourbon Barrel Aged Wheatwine with Moonstruck Dark Chocolate Tumbled Beerberries. Guided brewery tours (at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.) and tastings on the tour are free, and each participant will receive a complimentary glass.
Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series allows the brewmasters to put their creativity, innovation and passion into small, limited-release beers. These craft brews highlight the direct connection with Full Sail’s farmers, celebrate the art of barrel aging, and explore the effects of time. Over the years, Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series has earned 18 gold medals. Brewmaster Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Wheatwine Ale is available in limited release in 22 oz. bottles and draft. 12 percent ABV, 42 IBUs.
‘Currant Situation’ pours at Everybody’s
Everybody’s Brewing of White Salmon just released its newest one-off IPA, The Currant Situation, created by Head Brewer, Adam McCLure. He used 200 pounds of local organic black currants alongside copious amounts of Mosaic hops to deliver that can only be described as fresh, juicy, unique and explosive flavors and aromas, head brewer Jess Caudill said.
“We love the color and drinkability on this one. At only 15 barrels, the situation is going to change to gone,” he said.
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