Nutty, Silken, Baklava
Annual
2-Row Pale, Crystal Dark, Crystal Extra Dark, Pale Chocolate, Chocolate Malt
Chinook
American Ale
Bourbon Barrels
Madagascan & Ecuadorian Vanilla Beans, Ground Pistachio Nuts
Inspired by brewers back in the 1800’s to win over the Russian Czar, this is the king of stouts, boasting high alcohol by volume and plenty of malt character. Low to moderate levels of carbonation with huge roasted, chocolate and burnt malt flavors. Suggestions of dark fruit and flavors of higher alcohols are quite evident. Hop character can vary from none, to balanced, to aggressive.
The first bourbon barrel aged beers in the US were produced in the early 1990s. One of the earliest examples was Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout, which was first brewed in 1992. Brewing stouts with fruit is a fairly modern innovation, attributed mostly to American craft brewers.
We take our Imperial Stout base and put it into Bourbon Barrels and age the beer for one year. Over the course of the year the beautiful tannins of the oak and bourbon seep into the beer. The result is a round, bold, strong, and magnificent beer.
For this Vanilla Pistachio variation of our Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, we racked choice barrels of our standard BBIS stout base into a brite tank containing copious amounts of Madagascan and Ecuadorian vanilla beans. We then blended a pistachio “milk” from ground pistachio nuts which we dosed into the tank. After circulating with a pump for 2 full days, we allowed the beer to infuse on the ingredients for another week before racking, carbonating and packaging.
A deep midnight black pour topped with a thin cap of espresso latte foam. Rich aromas of pistachio, marzipan and vanilla cream lead the charge. A sip reveals bold yet harmonious flavors of baklava, crème brûlée and dark chocolate, with a mouth coating green nuttiness on the swallow. The finish is soft, silken and ends with bourbon driven warmth.
For savory pairings try soft cheeses like triple-cream brie and cured ham or prosciutto with dried fruit and nuts. Smoked meats like sticky braised short ribs or candied bacon. Sweet baked goods like pistachio filled croissants, or molasses infused brown bread topped with nuts. Decadent desserts will be the strongest pairings, such as a dark chocolate torte, vanilla bean crème brûlée, pistachio gelato or Turkish delight.
