# Small-Batch Barrel-Aged Beers The Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale is Aged in Bourbon Barrels By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2021-12-02 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oakspire-bourbon-barrel-ale References: [hiconsumption](https://hiconsumption.com/new-belgium-x-four-roses-oakspire-bourbon-barrel-ale/) & [newbelgium](https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/oakspire/)  The Oakspire [Bourbon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-ales) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrel-aged-honey) who supplied the brand with [bourbon-steeped charred oak barrels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-oak-bourbon) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bold Bourbon Barrel Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bourbon-barrel-ale.md) - [Boozy Barrel-Aged Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrel-aged-ale.md) - [Bourbon Barrel-Aged Brown Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-ales.md) - [Barrel-Aged Christmas Ales](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christmas-ales.md) - [Collaborative Bourbon Barrel Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bourbon-barrel-beer.md) - [Barrel-Aged Milk Stouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrelaged-milk-stout.md) - [Bourbon Barrel-Aged Seltzers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delicious-seltzer.md) - [Coffee-Inspired Bourbons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oak-eden.md) - [Bold Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stouts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrelaged-stout.md)