Just coming back from the Philippines and what to my wandering eye should appear but a new package from Widmer Brothers… full of beer! 
Ok… so this isn’t Twas the night before Christmas, but it always seems a bit like Christmas morning when I get to open a new package addressed to JustBeer…
This particularly joyous occasion brings the first of a new series from Widmer Brothers, Brothers’ Reserve. Cherry Oak Doppelbock came in a very cool package, individually packaged in a box and surrounded by cherry pits for packing safety. Not sure how many people it took eating cherries to do this, but it was well worth it for aesthetics. Maybe a couple were even chewed and spit by Rob and Kurt themselves… ok… kind of gross and creepy, I know.
Anyhow… Upon opening the box, I was treated to a wonderfully green labeled bottle with 9% ABV liquid gold in it. And that, my friends, is where this story ends… and then the tasting begins. Which will be a separate post as is our want.
Description on box:
“This doppelbock is fermented with both red tart and dark cherries then aged on new, toasted American oak. The result is a dark lustrous brew with up-front malty sweetness and fruit notes, completed by caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak undertones.”
See below for official press release and stay tuned for the tasting! BTW… this doesn’t come out until 10/5/09 and yes, I tasted it on 9/25/09… what can I say… doesn’t hurt to have tried and blogged over 500 different beers…
Official tasting is LIVE… check it out: Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock
Previous Oh Happy Day posts:
Official press release:
Widmer Brothers launches limited release series with Cherry Oak Doppelbock
50 Signed Commemorative Bottles to be Discovered on Store Shelves
PORTLAND, Ore. – Sept. 23, 2009 – The Widmer Brothers have just finished aging a small batch of Cherry Oak Doppelbock, the first release in the brewery’s new Brothers’ Reserve limited-edition series. The 22 ounce bottles are set to arrive in stores across the country beginning October 5.
The Brothers’ Reserve line gives founders and brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer a chance to play with new styles and premium ingredients, showcasing their talent for innovation and honoring their creative passion for craft brewing. The goal is to offer high-end craft beer fans unique, one-of-a-kind brews that are truly limited in nature. These offering are for enthusiastic beer lovers, personally crafted by two of the most enthusiastic beer lovers around.
Cherry Oak Doppelbock is a rich ale, cold-fermented with dark sweet and red tart cherries, then conditioned on new, heavily toasted American oak. The result is a dark lustrous brew with up-front malty sweetness and cherry fruit notes completed by caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted oak undertones. The complex flavor profile balances the impressive 9% ABV and 40 IBUs.
Each release bears the name of the brother who inspired its creation. In the case of Cherry Oak Doppelbock that’d be Kurt, who hand-signed 50 bottles for consumers to discover as a way to commemorate the series’ launch. “This Doppelbock is something we’ve had a great time creating,” said Kurt. “We’ve been able to use local ingredients to blend some really interesting flavors. It’s been a lot of fun to experiment with. I’m anxious to see if Rob can top this one!”
Cherry Oak Doppelbock is available in 22 ounce bottles uniquely packaged in an individual box. Fifty lucky Widmer Brothers fans will discover Kurt’s hand-signed bottles inside. The autographed bottles have been distributed at random throughout the country and, curious about where they’ll land, the brothers are asking consumers who find one to share the purchase location via Facebook (www.facebook.com/WidmerBrothersBrewing) or Twitter (@Widmer_Brothers).
Brothers’ Reserve Cherry Oak Doppelbock is available at select retailers nationwide* for an SRP of $7.99 – $9.99. Bottles are extremely limited in quantity and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. The second release in the series is set to debut in Spring 2010.
About Widmer Brothers Brewing
What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their twenties, they dreamed of brewing American interpretations of authentic European style beers. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently produces a variety of beers including Drifter Pale Ale, Drop Top Amber Ale, and Broken Halo IPA. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit http://www.widmer.com.
*Look for Brothers’ Reserve Cherry Oak Doppelbock on shelves in AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IN, KS, MA, ME, MN, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI and WY.
