Today, Breckenridge Brewery and Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey announced the launch of “Stranahan’s Well Built™ E.S.B.,” an Extra Special Bitter beer aged for 3 months in Stranahan’s whiskey barrels. Breckenridge and Stranahan’s have been neighbors for several years.
Todd Usry, Brewmaster and Director of Brewery Operations, told a room of journalists he was flattered that Stranahan’s came up with the idea for a collaboration beer. “Collaboration is part of our culture,” he said. Pete Macca, General Manager of Stranahan’s Distillery, echoed this sentiment, saying Stranhan’s is proud to have its name associated with Breckenridge Brewery. He added they look forward to ongoing collaborations with Breckenridge.
Breckenridge Brewery was founded in 1990 in Breckenridge, Colorado and has grown from a 1,000-barrels-a-year brewpub to a producer of 41,000 barrels annually with five brewpubs/ales houses in the state. Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, founded in 2004, is a widely acclaimed small batch whiskey distilled in Colorado’s first ever craft distillery.
The small batch beer, packaged in 750ml cork and caged bottles, launches tomorrow, February 24 in liquor stores in Colorado but
also will be found on draft in select tap rooms in the state. I found the beer to be a distinctive brew, enticing with a nose that reveals oak, vanilla, and of course whiskey. On the palate, it offers a noticeable maltiness with bread, biscuit and roasted qualities that Usry attributed of the use of traditional English malt. But the beer is quite hoppy, having been brewed with four varieties of hops. The hops cut a strong figure, balancing the voluptuous malt. That and the influence of whiskey make for the lingering finish of this well built beer.
For more info
www.breckbrew.com
Facebook: Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado
Twitter: BreckBrew
www.stranahans.com
Facebook: Stranahans Colorado Whiskey