Here is more news on the John John line of Rogue beers (of which I have had the Hazelnut/Rum). The Gin collaboration sounds intriguing.
In a collaboration of crafts, Rogue Brewmaster John Maier and Rogue Spirits Master Distiller John Couchot have joined forces to create a distinct, innovative series of brews called John John Ales. The series will take Rogue Ales legends and age them in Rogue Spirits barrels. A 3,100 gallon batch of John John Ale produces 1357 cases of beer.
The first of the John John series is John John Dead Guy Ale, Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Ale matured in Rogue’s award winning Dead Guy Whiskey barrels. The cross collaboration of these two products starts with the distilling of Dead Guy Ale wort to create the Dead Guy Whiskey. The Whiskey is aged in Oak Barrels and bottled, then the Oak Barrels are taken from the distillery, by forklift, across the parking lot to the Brewery where they are filled with Dead Guy Ale and matured for three months.
Each John John product will be a limited release, starting with John John Dead Guy Ale, followed by the John John Juniper Pale Ale, Rogue’s Juniper Pale Ale matured in Rogue Spruce Gin barrels, and the John John Hazelnut Brown Nectar, maturing Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown Nectar in Rogue’s Hazelnut Spiced Rum barrels.
John John Dead Guy Ale will be available on draft and in 22oz bottles at select retailers in January 2010.