Red Brick Brewing Releases ‘The Lost Years’ Ale

16 Jan 2013 --- The Lost Years, the 5th release of Red Brick Brewing’s distinguished Brick Mason Series, is an American Strong Ale brewed with spices and aged in Jim Beam, bourbon oak barrels. This copper colored ale gives off aromas of dark fruit and toffee.

The taste of caramel and fruity esters are complimented by subtle spicing of orange peel and star anise, followed by hints of bourbon and oak, leading to a warm finish.

- Style: Barrel Aged Strong Ale
- First Release Date: January 2013
- Hop Variety: Bravo & Willamette
- Stats: ALC/VOL 8.6%, 22 IBUs, SRM 17

Why did Red Brick Brewing name this beer The “Lost” Years? A lot of people don’t know that Red Brick Brewing Company was founded as the Atlanta Brewing Company on September 29th, 1993. As the longest operating craft brewery in the state of Georgia, they have a rich brewing tradition, but sometimes their basic math skills are lacking.

One of their biggest traditions is oak aging beer in celebration of their anniversary. In July 2012 Red Brick Brewing launched 17th Anniversary Ale as the 3rd release in our Brick Mason series. It was a wonderful beer, oak aged in bourbon barrels. It seemed everyone loved it, and they are all very proud of delivering such a successful beer. However, one day someone did the math…1993 + 17 years…does not equal 2012. Somewhere along the line they lost a couple of years in our anniversary series. They had no idea how that happened, but it reminded them of the story Rip van Winkle, written by Washington Irving.

In this story, the main character, Rip van Winkle fell asleep and woke up twenty years later, having missed the American Revolution, the death of his wife, the marriage of his daughter and the birth of his grandson. Red Brick didn’t quite sleep for 20 years, but ironically 2013 is their 20th anniversary. Needless to say, Red Brick felt a link between our lost years and the sleepy old guy, who we honor in effigy on the Lost Years bottle label and the 4pk carton.