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Tusk & Grain, the barrel-aged arm of Saint Archer (a division of Miller/Coors) has amped up the Gose style with a Pinot Noir Barrel Aged version.
Their version “has been enhanced with the addition of brettanomyces then nurtured in pinot noir barrels, sculpting its identity. Oak. Funk. Tart.”
Imagine salt,coriander and hops with used Pinot barrels and you get a vinous note addition as well.
Unfortunately, like the second release from T&G, this is San Diego only.
I came so close to an all encompassing theme for this month. Gluten beers and pale lagers are oft ignored in favor of IPAs and barrel-aged beers. So one from each category headlines this month’s shopping list but I also want to appease the other side as well so I will pander with a new series from Saint Archer under the Tusk & Grain nom de plume.
~LIGHT
10 Barrel/ Pub Beer 5.00% ABV
Just recently dropped into the L.A. market. A pale lager emblazoned without a logo and just saying Pub Beer on it. It’s a nod to the old generic beer cans of yore.
~MEDIUM
New Belgium/ Glütiny Pale Ale 6.00% ABV
“Glütiny Pale Ale is brewed using an enzyme to break down the proteins that trigger a reaction from gluten sensitive drinkers. Therefore, these beers are being referred to as “gluten removed” instead of gluten free. The beers fall within the FDA guidelines of less than 20 parts per million.
New Belgium Glütiny Pale Ale features Equinox hops, for flavors of guava and papaya. “
~DARK
Tusk & Grain/ 01 12.50% ABV
“For our inaugural barrel release, we present to you an expressive union between hand crafted beer and American Oak. We carefully designed three beers consisting of a Barley Wine, Imperial Porter, and Imperial Stout, to mature in some of Kentucky’s finest bourbon barrels, and the result is beautiful. Overwhelmingly rich. Staggeringly decadent. This beer challenges complexity by bringing toffee, chocolate, dark fruit, and oak to your palate, all while maintaining the essence of what defines a great barrel aged beer”
I saw the name Tusk & Grain when I was compiling last week’s LA Beer Blast (which you best be subscribed to). Confused by a name that was unfamiliar, I asked my contact about it and found out it is a Saint Archer barrel-aging project.
T&G will be going by the creed of….”Our brewers hand select the most sought after barrels, and use only the highest quality goods in the design and execution of their vision for these beers. We hope you will enjoy the bountiful flavor, complexity, and texture in each pour.”
The first beer in the series a blend of stout and barleywine will be on tap at Blue Palms tomorrow night.