Since founding our brewery in 1996, we have specialized in the rare art of brewing beer in oak barrels. In the fall of 2006, we released a limited-edition oak-aged strong ale called 10 to commemorate our 10th Anniversary. The experience was greater than any one of us could have ever imagined. We now present XXIII, our thirteenth release in what has become an annual autumn rite at our brewery.
About The Blending
Every August, right before the wine harvest gets rolling, our local winemaker friends come to the brewery to help blend our annual Anniversary Ale. Winemakers are practicing experts in the art of blending, and we realized early on that they could provide invaluable input for creating a seamless beer out of numerous barrel-aged component ales. The winemakers come for both the challenge and the camaraderie. They split up into small teams and create their own preferred blends from the provided components. Each of the resulting trials is then blind tasted by the entire group, and votes are cast for the winning blend. The victorious team walks away with bragging rights—and with a set of coveted cardboard crowns.
ABV: 11.5%
Final Blend
28% of final blend
Distinguished Winemakers and friends who came together for the 2019 blend: