Introduction to Spirit-Inspired Beers
Beer enthusiasts, this is for you. Long gone are the days when the universe of beers was limited to basic lagers, ales and stouts. Craft brewing has evolved, and today, beer is now a canvas to showcase a multitude of flavors and ideas. One such evolution is the development of bourbon, wine and spirit-inspired beers. These brews have been infused with the unique and savory flavor characteristics of different spirits and provide an eclectic drinking experience.
Wine-Inspired Beers
These are types of beer that either mimic the flavor characteristics of certain kinds of wine or that have been aged in wine barrels, thus acquiring a part of the wine’s essence. They open up unique beer stylings and flavor profiles you wouldn’t usually associate with a frothy brew.
Grape Ale
With a wine-like quality, Grape Ales are brews that have been fermented with grapes. They usually have a slight sweetness and a wine-like fruity aroma, with the grape character coming through in the taste.
Barrel-Aged Sours
These are sour ales aged in wine barrels. The end result is often a complex flavor profile, a cross between beer and wine, with acidity that is akin to a sharp white wine.
Spirit-Inspired Beers
Spirit-inspired beers are here to challenge your taste buds. Brewed in a way that their flavors mimic or complement the character of specific spirits, these beers bring on an adventurous drinking experience.
Whiskey-Inspired Beers
These brews bring forward the rich, smoldering flavors you’d find in a glass of whiskey. Often aged in barrels previously used for aging various types of whiskey, they feature notes of oak, vanilla, and a rich sweetness that is reminiscent of a good glass of whiskey.
Rum-Inspired Beers
Rum-inspired beers are all about capturing the warm, sweet, and slightly spicy undertones of rum. They are generally aged in rum barrels, which allows the beer to soak up the sugarcane-rich flavors from the wood, resulting in a brew that exhibits both the bitterness of beer and the sweet, tropical flavor of good quality rum.
The Art of Barrel-Aging
Barrel-aging has been a game-changer in the development of wine- and spirit-inspired beers. This involves storing beer in barrels previously used for maturing spirits or wine. The beer absorbs the residual flavors and characteristics of the spirit or wine, thus creating an innovative flavor profile. The type of wood of the barrel also alters the flavor. Oak is most commonly used as it adds aromas of vanilla, almond, and toffee. However, brewers are also exploring other types of wood like cherrywood and maple.
Tantalize your Taste Buds
Beyond Bourbon is not just about appreciating the artistry and creativity of craft brewing, but it’s also about venturing into a new realm of flavors and broadening your taste palette. The fusion of spirits, wine, and beer doesn’t just offer diversity, it provides synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. So, next time you’re out at the bar or at a beer tasting event, don’t hesitate to try one of these wine- or spirit-inspired beers. Cheers!
