Some Thoughts on Montgomery Brewing Cooper Barrel-aged Barleywine, 2021

In years past, many years past, the only way to preserve your harvest was to eat it quickly or preserve it.  That is the reason that for much of the time, British naval law included a gallon of beer a day for every sailor.  Think about it.  Stored grain.

 That is the reason that monks in Belgium got a daily ration of beer.  Singles for every day, Doubles for Sunday, Triples for holy days.  You get more food on the big days.  It's how people got fed.  It was preserved grain, food for the masses.

 We may not need to preserve grain that way anymore, but that doesn't mean that "Imperial" "Double" "Quad" "Vintage ale" or "Barleywine" have less meaning.

More malt in the grain bill results in the ability to store them longer because of the higher alcohol content achieved.  And longer storage allows for both mellowing and the development of complex flavors.

They had me at complex flavors.

For me, I recently had the privilege of drinking a Montgomery Brewing Cooper Barrel-aged Barleywine. 

Poured a deep rich amber, with a rocky mixed persistent head. The aroma was mild, with both malty and slight boozy notes which I expected from the barrel aging. At the first sip, I realized I wanted this more cellar temperature, and set it aside to warm up a bit.

A few minutes later...

A deep rich pervasive maltiness, sweet barley with toasted notes, some oakiness, caramel, and vanilla tones... which ever so slowly give way to a long warming but perfectly balanced bourbon tail.  Bread straight out of the oven.

12.3% ABV, 61 IBU's, 9 months plus in whiskey barrels.

A beer I'd like to spend a long evening with, contemplating my inner dude.  Or put away for 5 years and do that then.  We have a very limited amount of this available.

Tendered for your thoughtful consideration, as your Cheers Spirit Guide.