Saint Arnold Announces Bishop’s Barrel No. 5
Press Release
When World Beer Cup judges awarded Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 4 a gold medal in the Strong Scotch Ale category in 2008, the craft beer community wondered if they would ever be able to try the beer again. The Divine Reserve series features single batch beers that are typically brewed just once and retired, but the recipe for Saint Arnold Divine Reserve No. 4 is making a special return engagement.
Saint Arnold Brewing Co. (www.saintarnold.com), the oldest craft brewery in Texas, brewed a fresh batch of the Wee Heavy Scotch Ale in December 2012, which was then aged for nine months in Old Forester bourbon barrels. The Houston brewery is releasing it today as Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel No. 5.
Saint Arnold Bishop’s Barrel is a series of releases of beers that have been barrel aged. The barrels have been chosen to enhance and complement the characteristics of the underlying beers. In the case of Bishop’s Barrel No. 5, the bourbon barrel contributes vanilla, cinnamon and touch of rich earthy pipe tobacco, which mix with an alcohol warmth that adds to the rich creaminess.
“The barrel aging adds to the whole without taking away the character of the original,” said Brewer Vince Mandeville.
Each batch of Bishop’s Barrel is distinguished by the number on the neck label. Because of the small amount of beer produced from the barrels, it will only be available in pubs and restaurants throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Specifications of Bishop’s Barrel No. 5:
- Original Gravity: 1.083
- Final Gravity: 1.020
- Alcohol: 9.0% ABV prior to barreling
12.0% ABV after barreling - Bitterness: 19 IBU
The release of Bishop’s Barrel No. 5 isn’t the first time a Divine Reserve recipe has been dusted off. Two beers in Saint Arnold’s regular lineup – Saint Arnold Pumpkinator and Saint Arnold Endeavour – were originally released as Divine Reserve No. 9 and No. 11 respectively.