Flying Dog Brewery to Release New Whiskey Barrel-Aged Beer

23/03/07 Flying Dog Brewery, Denver's largest craft brewer has announced the upcoming release of their Whiskey Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter. The new beer is the latest addition to the brewery's "Wild Dog" Series, their portfolio of high-gravity experimental beers, exclusively available in 750ml champagne bottles. It is scheduled to be available at retail this April.

This unique version of Flying Dog's popular Gonzo Imperial Porter was brewed and transferred into charred White American Oak whiskey barrels that the neighboring Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey had aged their product in for two years. After aging in the wood barrels for three months, the Imperial Porter was hand bottled, corked, labeled and conditioned for another six weeks before being shipped. According to Head Brewer Matt Brophy, the resulting taste will "remind you of sweet chocolate, dry oak and smooth whiskey. The barrel's distinctive characteristics will compliment the Imperial Porter's already robust, full-bodied flavor."

Availability of this beer is extremely limited -- only 5000 bottles of the Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter will be packaged. Of the 5000 bottles available, Flying Dog is also offering 500 Limited Edition Wild Dog Gift Box Sets. Each Gift Box will contain a 750ml bottle of the Whiskey Barrel-Aged Gonzo, a Wild Dog glass, collector's button and an authentic piece of the wood barrel used in the aging process. "Barrel-aged beer enthusiasts in particular will enjoy the authentic piece of the barrel included in each Wild Dog Gift Box. The wood will still hold the great aromas from the whiskey and beer that aged in it," said Flying Dog Director of Marketing, Neal Stewart.

The Wild Dog Barrel-Aged Gonzo Imperial Porter is the latest addition to Flying Dog's "litter of ales" which currently includes nine everyday brands and four seasonals. The Wild Dog Series started in 2004 with the release of a Double Pale Ale then continued with a Weisenbock in 2005 and last year's Colorado Saison. Flying Dog is planning to release another Wild Dog this coming October.