Beer of the Month Club – October 2018

I officially welcome you into stout season… although I’ve been corrected by many of you that it is always stout season. I can’t be the only one excited for this time of the year. Breweries gear up to release bold stouts, barrel-aged offerings and “winter warmers.” There’s no question that beers for the colder weather require bumping up the ABV. This selection includes two rare, hard to find barrel-aged offerings from a brewery that some of you may be familiar with. It’s hard to say they specialize in one particular style because they do it all, from juicy IPA’s to sours and stouts. We’re ecstatic to showcase two of their gems for all of you!

Cheers,
Brendon Pineda 
Beer Aficionado, PlumpJack Wine & Spirits

Brewed & packaged by Barrelhouse Brewing – Paso Robles, California

‘Heidbanger & Grog’

Co-owners Chris Vaughn, Kevin Nickell, and Jason Carvalho established Barrelhouse in 2013 with one common goal, “bring together good people, good times and great beer.” From brewing in their garage to now becoming the largest family owned craft brewery in San Luis Obispo County in California, Barrelhouse prides themselves in being independently owned and operated. “Being an American, family owned business is something that we take pride in, says Jason Carvalho. “In an ever-changing craft beer landscape of sellouts and mergers, we retain our independence. Our people are passionate about our mission and we are just getting started.” Barrelhouse provides a variety styles in beer. Ranging from Belgian beers aged in port barrels, IPA’s, blonde ales, sours aged in wine barrels, and barrel-aged stouts - they have something for every type of beer drinker. They’ve rapidly expanded, having three locations in and around Paso Robles. The brewery has won awards in the past but choose not to enter anymore competitions. “We brew our beer for the people and not the judges. Many of our beers don’t fit within the BJCP beer style guidelines and we don’t care. If someone tells us are blonde (ale) is too hoppy, we say ‘you’re welcome’. If someone says that we should enter our beer in competitions, we say ‘just because you have a nice car, doesn’t mean you need to take it to car shows.” On that note, here’s to good people, good times and great beers!

Grog [2018 Vintage]: Brown Sugar Imperial Ale aged in Rum Barrels

Hops: n/a
Grain Bill: n/a
ABV: 10.9%
Appearance: Dark brown with thin white head
Aroma: molasses, caramel, burnt sugar
Taste: rum sweetness, tobacco, vanilla, coconut, slightly boozy
Serving Temp: 45-55°F

Heidbanger [2018 Vintage]: Red Rye Scotch Ale aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels

Grain Bill: n/a
ABV: 9.0%
Appearance: dark amber, finger of head with assertive pour
Aroma: dried fruit, caramel, oak, raisin
Taste: toffee, vanilla, whiskey characteristics, toasted malt, balanced
Serving Temp: 45-55°F

Header image: Barrelhouse