Town Hall Barrel Aged Beer Week 2017

Since 1997, Town Hall Brewery in Minneapolis has been brewing up awesome beers for the people of the Twin Cities. While the styles they make run the entire spectrum, they set aside one week each year for a single theme. Barrel Aged Beer Week 2017 returns, and continues to showcase this much sought after sect of beer.

Barrel Aged Beer Week 2017

Town Hall Brewery is a pioneer in barrel-aged beers. They created Czar Jack, their Russian imperial stout aged in Jack Daniels barrels, and won a Great American Beer Festival gold medal for it back in 2001. At the time, there was no barrel-aged category, so it was entered in the “Experimental Beer” category. After that, the GABF added a category just for barrel-aged brews, and Town Hall has won a number of other medals for their various barrel-aged creations.

In 2009, Town Hall dedicated an entire week to beers of the barrel, and Barrel Aged Beer Week was created. Each day a new beer is released and in recent years these releases have grown to several brews a day in some cases. For 2017, 12 beers (some variations of the same beer, aged in different barrels) will be available throughout the week and are sure to satisfy those that love big beers.

Here’s a look at what they’ll be tapping:

  • Monday, February 20th | 5pm
    Foolish Red | Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in French oak red wine barrels.
    Foolish Angel | Belgian-style Quadrupel aged in bourbon barrels.
    Single Barrel Reserve Foolish Angel | A very special single-barrel offering.
  • Tuesday, February 21st | 5pm
    Manhattan Reserve | Belgian-style Grand Cru with red tart cherries, aged in bourbon barrels.
  • Wednesday, February 22nd | 5pm
    Twisted Trace | American Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels.
    E.T. Wee | Scottish-style Wee Heavy aged in bourbon barrels.
  • Thursday, February 23rd | 5pm
    Eye Wine Red | Minnesota Honey Ale aged in French oak red wine barrels.
    Eye Wine White | Minnesota Honey Ale aged in American chardonnay barrels.
    Le Baltique | Baltic Porter aged in French oak red wine barrels.
  • Friday, February 24th | 5pm
    Project 3106 | Belgian-style Strong Brown Ale with kumquat and chocolate, aged in bourbon barrels.
    Buffalo Bock | German-style Weizenbock aged in bourbon barrels.
  • Saturday, February 25th | 11am
    Czar Jack | The grandaddy of them all. Russian Imperial Stout aged in Tennessee whiskey barrels.

This year, Monday and Thursday will both feature variations of the same base-beer. Foolish, a Belgian-style quadruple that weighs in at 10% ABV, is offered in bourbon barrel, red wine barrel, and single bourbon barrel versions. Eye Wine, a Minnesota honey ale, can be tried side-by-side with versions aged in red and white wine barrels. Each offer a unique drink which showcases the differences imparted on a beer from various barrel types.

Wrapping up the week (though it took a hiatus for 2016) will be the beer that started it all, Czar Jack. This is the beer most come out to taste and is sure to draw a crowd (it certainly helps that Free Beer Hour falls on the same day and many are more apt to drink on the weekend). It’s sure to be big, bold, and complex as always.

Big Beers, Big Enjoyment

The lineup this year offers something for everyone. Honey ales, imperial stouts, Belgian quads, barleywines, and more. Barrel Aged Beer Week 2017 continues to show why Town Hall Brewery makes many of the very best beers in the state of Minnesota. Their continued commitment to exploring new beer styles and crafting high-quality beer is showcased in everything they brew. Be sure to go check it out.