The Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale from New Belgium is a small-batch libation being launched by the brewery to provide drinkers with a premium option to pick up this holiday season. The beer is a collaboration product created in partnership with Four Roses who supplied the brand with bourbon-steeped charred oak barrels that have been extracted using a propriety infusion method. This is reported to give the beer a malty flavor profile along with a fruit-forward taste that is on the slightly spicy side of things.
The Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale features an IBU of 27, and is crafted with a mix of nugget and Sabro hops along with malts including Pale, Munich, Caramel 80, Rye and Roasted Barley.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Premium Barrel-aged Beers
- Craft breweries can explore collaborations with whiskey brands to create unique barrel-aged beers using proprietary infusion methods.
- Small-batch Beverages
- Creating limited release, small-batch beverages provides consumers with a unique and exclusive drinking experience.
- Fruit-forward Flavor Profiles
- Incorporating fruit-forward taste with a slightly spicy kick can create a more refreshing and complex flavor profile for beers.
Where This Applies
- Craft Beer
- Craft breweries can innovate by exploring unique collaborations with whiskey brands and experimenting with proprietary infusion methods to create premium, small-batch barrel-aged beers.
- Whiskey
- Whiskey brands can explore partnerships with craft breweries to create new collaborations that offer unique flavor profiles through the infusion of bourbon barrels into beer production.
- Beverage
- Small-batch, premium beverages are an opportunity to provide consumers with an exclusive drinking experience and create product differentiation in a crowded market.
