Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 Best Wine Barrel-Aged Beers to Drink Right Now

wine barrel aged beers
Allagash Brewing Company/Facebook

The process of barrel-aging a beer is meant to infuse additional flavor and aroma characteristics in a base brew. The elements passed from barrel to beer are influenced by many factors, such as the native aspects of the wood, any bacteria found in the barrel, and previous usage and treatment of the barrel (in addition to time, temperature, et cetera). An oak barrel, for example, provides hint of vanilla to whatever liquid it comes in contact with. Microorganisms that penetrate the wood in barrels may contribute funk to wild ales. And if the barrel was once used to store another liquid, those remnants can seep out and mix with the new beer.

Bourbon, rum, and tequila barrels are the most popular choices for aging beer. These barrels work well with strong, sweet stouts that can hold up to the biting, acidic characteristics of the liquor. But wine barrels are another excellent source for pushing beer in new directions. The more delicate notes from red and white wine barrels can enhance a variety of both dark and light beers. Here are a five wine barrel-aged beers to search out.

Recommended Videos

Supplication

Russian River Brewing Company

Supplication Russian River Brewing Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Russian River Brewing Company brews up a brown ale and then ages it in barrels that previously held Sonoma County Pinot Noir. Each barrel is loaded with sour cherries and the souring bacteria triple threat of Pediococcus, Brettanomyces, and Lactobacillus. The resulting sour beer is unlike any brown ale you’ve had before. It’s funky, tart and lush with a smooth red wine finish.

The Abyss

Deschutes Brewery

Abyss Deschutes Brewery
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A longtime favorite of beer nerds, The Abyss is an amalgamation of 6 malts, 4 hop varieties, and other additions including cherry bark and licorice. Deschutes Brewery then ages the beer in bourbon, new Oregon Oak, and wine barrels. Those privileged to pick up a bottle of the annual limited annual release are treated to a rich, complex, and dense beer that won a platinum medal at the 2018 World Beer Awards.

Coolship Pêche

Allagash Brewing Company

Coolship Peche Allagash Brewing Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of Allagash’s esteemed Coolship series releases, Pêche is a Belgian Fruit Lambic with 7.3 percent alcohol by volume. The simple Belgian-style base beer is fermented in the brewery’s traditional open-air coolship followed by 2 years of aging in French Oak wine barrels. Then, the beer spends five months sitting on fresh peaches. The beer is simultaneously sweet and tart, with the sour funk, oak and peaches taking center stage.

Red Wine Barrel Midnight in the Garden

Coastal Empire Beer Company

Red Wine Barrel Midnight in the Garden Coastal Empire Beer Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This outstanding beer from Coastal Empire Beer Co. takes the brewery’s Imperial Chocolate Stout and ages it in red wine barrels for six months. The resulting beer is a blend of chocolate, raspberry, and mulled wine flavors buoyed by a creamy mouthfeel.

Darkest Hour

Anchorage Brewing Company

Darkest Hour Anchorage Brewing Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Anchorage Brewing Company’s Darkest Hour is a triple-fermented Belgian Style Imperial Stout brewed with Summit hops. The first fermentation is with a Belgian yeast. The second is in Pinot Noir and rye whiskey barrels. The final step is bottle fermentation with a wine yeast. There is a grape must bite that comes through in the taste, standing up to the sweetness of dark chocolate, vanilla, and molasses.

Lee Heidel
Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the…
This is the beer I always drink at a football tailgate
A great beer selection is a tailgate necessity
Tailgate beer

If you ask us, the end of the summer doesn’t just mean the beginning of fall. It also means the start of tailgate season. And while it might not be a “season” in the traditional sense. It is made up of Saturdays (for college football fans) and Sundays (for NFL fans) from the end of August through December, filled with football-themed parking lot revelry.

Tailgate season features mouthwatering foods like burgers, chicken wings, ribs, and any manner of chips and dip. It’s also a time for partaking in crisp, refreshing, malty, seasonal beer. We’re talking about brown ales, marzen-style beers, amber ales, and more.
The beers we bring tailgating

Read more
8 best hard cider brands to drink this fall
If you're a cider fan, then you must try these brands
Hard cider

When we turn the seasonal corner to autumn, along with pumpkin spice-flavored everything and a chilly nip in the air, you’ll start to see classic (alcohol-free) cider and hard cider everywhere. Sure, you can drink hard cider all year long, but it makes the most sense from September through the holidays.

For those new to the beverage, hard cider is similar to wine. But instead of being made with grapes, this fermented drink is made with apples. Just like wine, hard cider can range in flavor from very sweet to very dry, depending on the amount of sugar added. However, while wine is higher in alcohol (11 tp 14% ABV), the best hard cider is more on par with beer (4-8% ABV).
The best hard ciders to drink this fall

Read more
The best porters to drink this fall
Autumn is here, so it's time to pour a porter
Porter beer in a glass

While early fall isn’t exactly cold, it’s only a matter of time before the days begin to grow shorter and the nights start getting cooler. That’s why autumn is such a great time to get into dark beers. Specifically, stouts and porters. But while both beers are dark in color and rich and robust in flavor, what exactly is the difference between the two beer styles? Both originated in England in the 1700s and are known for their chocolate, smooth, creamy flavor profiles. But they are subtly different.

Porters are made with malted barley and stouts are usually brewed with unmalted roasted barley. This is why porters are often sweet and creamier, with a ton of chocolate and dried fruit flavors. The stout, on the other hand, is often drier with a ton of roasted barley flavor along with chocolate, coffee, and other flavors. While stouts can be quite decadent, porters are usually overall lighter, thus making them a great choice for early fall drinking. Keep reading to find out what the best porter beers are to enjoy this autumn.
The best classic porters for fall

Read more