Redhook Treblehook Barley Wine

Redhook Treblehook Barley Wine – Coming off a fine unboxing and not being able to hold off for the 1 to 3 years recommended, I cracked this bad boy open with The Belly looking on. 

Tasting: dark brown copper pour with very slight head.  Aroma is sweet and malty with background smells of hops.  The body leads with a hit of the ABV and malt and with nice hop influences presenting itself more on the front stage.  It leads through to a short, compact and dry finish.  Overall The Belly and I agree… this is a solid Barley Win with some really nice work in the throughout.  I will be picking up a bottle to cellar as soon as I see it…

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Oh Happy Day #9 – Redhook Treblehook

Christmas has come early, yet again to JustBeer headquarters.  This time, Beer Santa has delivered the latest in the Redhook Limited Release Series, Redhook Treblehook.  Consistent with their new packaging and labeling Treblehook comes with a red ribbon, some fancy packing foam, and an outstanding new glass that should help the brew open up and be the best it can be. 

More to come on the tasting… and here it is.  Enjoy! 

Redhook Treblehook Barley Wine

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr
• Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout
• Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale
• Oh Happy Day #7 – Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale
• Oh Happy Day #8 – Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak Doppelbock

Official press release:

Redhook Ale Brewery Releases Small Batch of Treblehook Barley Wine

Two-Time GABF Medal-Winning Beer is the Latest Offering in Redhook’s Limited Release Series

WOODINVILLE, Wash. – Oct. 5, 2009 – Redhook Ale Brewery’s award-winning Treblehook Barley Wine is now available in 22 oz. bottles for a short time as part of the brewery’s Limited Release Series. This hand-crafted, labor-intensive ale was first introduced in 2007 and won a gold medal at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and a silver medal at the 2009 festival.

Boasting big aromatic malts, Redhook Treblehook pours a dark gold with a velvety mouthfeel and a slightly bitter finish. Brewed in the style of a traditional American barley wine with a 10.1% ABV and 57 IBUs, Treblehook sets itself apart by playing up the hops to add depth and complexity. Dry-hopped vigorously throughout the six-month process, Treblehook’s strength comes from its ability to have a strong hop flavor while still allowing the malt characteristics to shine through.

“We wanted Treblehook to have all the classic barley wine characteristics,” said Doug MacNair, brewmaster for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We spent time getting the subtleties right, balancing the malts with a strong hop backbone to create Redhook’s take on the style.” 

While ready to drink now, MacNair encourages beer collectors to age it for one to three years to evolve and enhance the flavors.

“Barley wine is one of a few styles where it’s possible to have both exceptional flavor and long-term stability. We weren’t willing to compromise either with Treblehook,” said MacNair. “The multitude of malts and many strains of hops we used with Treblehook will change the beer as it ages, mellowing and blending year over year. I love that I can drink this now, or have an entirely different experience after I open a bottle from my cellar in a few years.”

Redhook Treblehook Barley Wine will be on shelves in 22 oz. bottles (SRP $7.99) at specialty food stores and beer markets in limited locations across the country from early October until supplies run out.

Redhook’s Limited Release Series beers are brewed by hand in small batches and are only available for a short time. The series allows Redhook’s expert brewers to experiment, take risks and produce distinct, creative and award-winning varieties. Redhook will introduce another limited release in the spring of next year.

About Redhook Ale Brewery
Redhook Ale Brewery has been at the forefront of domestic craft brewing since the company’s formation in 1981. Redhook brews eight styles of craft beer, including: Long Hammer IPA, Redhook ESB, Slim Chance Light Ale, Blackhook Porter, and seasonal offerings Copperhook Spring Ale, Sunrye Summer Ale, Late Harvest Autumn Ale and Winterhook Winter Ale. Redhook beer is brewed in its breweries: one in the Seattle suburb of Woodinville, Wash., and the other in Portsmouth, N.H. Redhook’s specialty beers are available in both draught and bottles and are distributed nationally through a network of wholesale distributors.  For more information, visit www.redhook.com.

Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale

And now… the moment we have all been waiting for… drumroll… the official tasting of the Limited Release Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale!!

We have been on a bit of a Belgian-style trip lately in the ’sac so this brew fits right in with where our mindset is at.  As noted on Oh Happy Day #7 – Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale, the bottle is sweet and the glass they sent it with is just as sweet, so had to do the official tasting with it.

Straight off the bat, on the pour, you can start to smell the belgian yeasts… not too in your face… definitely there, though.  The color is copper (12 – 14 SRM or so) and the head is brilliant white.  The brew drinks really nice and smooth in the front… surprisingly so, and the yeast is just in the background throughout the body.  The finish is sweet, definitely not dry, and leaves just a slight bitterness.  The mouthfeel is smooth and light with a medium-high carbonation. 

Overall, this is a really solid and approachable Belgian-style ale.  Especially with 10.2% alcohol, the aroma is strong but the body is nice and easy and it is gone before you know it.  A solid outing from the folks at Redhook!

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Oh Happy Day #7 – Redhook Tripel Belgian-style Ale

Just as I was beginning to despair about our slow Oh Happy Day streak, I come home to an amazing little package from Redhook on my kitchen table… I had a chance to do the official unboxing tonight and I am very, very pleasantly surprised… not only with Redhook for going down the Belgian-style route, but for doing an amazing job with the packaging!  

Wrapped in a special red ribbon, this beauty comes with its own Limited Release glass, that will surely be used, and nice big 22 oz bottle of the brew.  I am letting it chill overnight but will get the official review up by this weekend, for sure!

See below for offical press release and keep an eye out for this one while supplies last!

 

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr
• Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout
• Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

 Official Press Release:

Belgian-Style Tripel Next in Redhook Limited Release Series

Redhook Ale Brewery Introduces New Craft Beer Based on Traditional Trappist Brewing Methods

 

WOODINVILLE, Wash. – May 26, 2009 – Crafted with imported Belgian candy sugar, high quality European malts and a secret monastery yeast strain, the new Tripel Belgian-style ale from Redhook Ale Brewery will hit shelves for a limited time this summer.

 

“The limited release series is a lot of fun for us. On the heels of Double Black Stout, we experimented with this Tripel and brewed it in small batches, perfecting and balancing the strong flavors,” said Greg Deuhs, masterbrewer for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We stayed as close as possible to the Trappist methods pioneered by monks hundreds of years ago.”

 

Pouring a deep golden color, the Redhook Tripel offers a three-part flavor profile created during the brewing process: vanilla and clove in the first sip, followed by a slight pepper and cinnamon kick, and ending with a clean, smooth finish and more hints of vanilla.

 

The Tripel is a subtly sweet strong ale with a high carbonation level adding an effervescent quality akin to champagne. The fruity, spicy and warming characteristics balance with the soft malts to create an easy-to-drink yet complex brew, which earned a gold medal for the category at the 2008 North American Beer Awards. At 10.2% alcohol by volume, the Tripel is ready to drink now, but can also be cellared for up to two years to intensify the flavor.

 

Redhook brewers recommend pairing the Tripel with acidic foods such as sharp cheeses, olives, smoked pork, salmon and bittersweet dark chocolate.

 

The Redhook Tripel will be available in 22 oz. bottles (SRP $7.99) and on draught in western states in late May, with limited national availability following in late June. The Tripel will be on shelves at specialty food stores and beer markets through September, or until supplies run out. Redhook will introduce another limited release in the fall.

 

About Redhook Ale Brewery
Redhook Ale Brewery has been at the forefront of the domestic craft brewing segment since the company’s formation in 1981. Redhook brews eight styles of craft beer, including: Long Hammer IPA, Redhook ESB, Slim Chance Light Ale, Blackhook Porter, and seasonal offerings Copperhook Spring Ale, Sunrye Summer Ale, Late Harvest Autumn Ale and Winterhook Winter Ale. Redhook beer is brewed in its breweries – one in the Seattle suburb of Woodinville, Wash., and the other in Portsmouth, N.H. Redhook’s specialty beers are available in both draught and bottles and are distributed nationally through a network of wholesale distributors.  For more information, visit www.redhook.com.

Redhook Slim Chance

I think I might know why I didn’t get to preview this one… Sorry Redhook, but I am definitely not a lite beer drinker and this is the reason… Slim Chance tastes like a lite beer… if this didn’t, I might like it… but it tastes like a lite beer… maybe even more like a lite beer than some of the other lite beers I have had and so… it isn’t up my alley.

Pours a pee yellow with a big bubble, frothy head… coincidence? Not sure, but the nose actually isn’t bad… a bit sweet and lite… like it is supposed to be. The body is where it gets you. Nearly driving me to that bitter beer face, this one hits you in the middle of the mouth like a tone of bricks. Finish lingers too long and leaves you doing that mouth smacking thing where you are basically trying to wipe the taste off the top of your mouth with your tongue.

I love you Redhook, I really do… you send me free beer and give me cool insight into what is going on. But I can’t, in good conscious, give this beer anything better than a Just Not Right… I am sure there are those that like it… just don’t count me in that number.

JBB6 Rating: Just Not Right

Redhook Winter Hook

Generally a big fan of Redhook, this one didn’t really impress me as far as winter ales go.  Similar to the Samuel Adams Winter Lager, it is light and watery with just a bit of kick at the end.  Redhook Winter Hook starts with a hoppy nose, a slight head, and moves into the light body and spicey, simple finish.  Not a bad beer, but not one I would consciously choose again if I had a choice. 

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road

Redhook Double Black

Drum roll please… budubudubudubudubu…  ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… come one, come all to witness this spectacular event… the official JustBeer tasting of Redhook Double Black.  <trumpet-cymbal>

Ok… so that wasn’t really how it happened, but we did have it for lunch today, both Po and I, and I have to say we both rather liked it.   We weren’t on the ground in ecstasy, but we were both very pleasantly satisfied with Redhook’s latest offering. 

Truth be told, I had about 8 of these the night of the official release party on 10/8 (picture below).  That was a wonderful time when we were able to purchase them for $2 a pint and I actually won a shirt… go me.  They had a band going called boogilistics, and much merriment.  I actually bought a copy of their CD since I really kind of liked their sound.  Even the next day.   I have been waiting since that time to post this because I really wanted to get the tasting right and not skew it do to the amounts partaken that night.  So here you go…

Definitely a coffee beer, this one has the nose of coffee, the taste of coffee, and the finish of coffee.  It is in the finish that you notice it the most, right in the back of your throat, although when it was fresh and cold out of the glass, it had that iced coffee kick to it.  Very solid.  As it warmed up, you could feel it mellow out and the full flavor come to light.  That and the pairing with the Dagoba Organic Chocolate and it left me really satisfied after the glass was long empty.

Overall a solid offering from Redhook and one I will look for in the store later this month and into early November.

More info here: Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout

I have been waiting for this day for exactly two weeks and it is finally here.  Redhook has come through and provided us a bottle of their new Double Black.  Yes, my friends, another coffee stout, but this one is good stuff… more on that when we do the official tasting, but lets just say that at the release party, the $2 pints flowed and flowed and flowed… I think there was even arm wrestling involved… Ben, are you out there?

Accompanying the stout is what the offer as a great pairing… Dagoba Organic Dark Chocolate (a division of Artisan Confections Company).  We will make sure to pair the two and tell you what we think of Dagoba, as well.

**UPDATE** Official JustBeer Tasting Post Here

See below for pics and the official press release.

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr

Official Press Release sent with the samples:

Back in Black – Redhook Double Black Stout Returns for a Limited Time

Redhook Ale Brewery Revives Cult Craft Brew Classic

WOODINVILLE, Wash. – October 2, 2008 – After hearing numerous requests from craft beer drinkers across the country, Redhook Ale Brewery (Nasdaq: HOOK) will reintroduce the cult classic craft brew Double Black Stout for a limited time. 

Originally created by the brewery in 1995, Redhook stopped producing Double Black Stout in 2000 and craft beer enthusiasts have been reminiscing about it ever since.  This fan favorite is coming back as a limited release and will be available nationwide beginning the first week of November 2008 through February 2009, or until supplies run out.

“For eight years now, Double Black Stout fans across the country have clamored for its return. We decided to go one step farther and use it to launch an entire series of limited releases,” said Doug MacNair, brew master for Redhook Ale Brewery. “By giving Double Black another chance to shine, we’re raising a glass to our craft beer heritage – and we think our loyal drinkers will be very happy with the result.”

Double Black Stout is a smooth, imperial stout enhanced by the addition of rich, flavorful coffee and dark malts to create a big, roasted flavor. Redhook brewers recommend pairing the strongly malted beer with grilled beef or dark chocolate and strawberries to enhance its decadent undertones. The beer can be found at specialty food stores and beer markets for $4.99 SRP per 22 oz bottle. 

Following Double Black Stout, Redhook will introduce three additional limited release beers in 2009. Developed by Redhook’s expert brewers, the unique craft beers will be different than anything the brewery has created in the past. The next limited release will hit shelves in March 2009.

About Redhook Ale Brewery
Redhook Ale Brewery has been at the forefront of the domestic craft brewing segment since the company’s formation in 1981. Redhook brews eight styles of craft beer, including: Long Hammer IPA, Redhook ESB, Redhook Blonde Ale, Blackhook Porter, and seasonal offerings Copperhook Spring Ale, Sunrye Summer Ale, Late Harvest Autumn Ale and Winterhook Winter Ale. Redhook beer is brewed in its breweries – one in the Seattle suburb of Woodinville, Wash., and the other in Portsmouth, N.H. Redhook’s specialty beers are available in both draft and bottles and are distributed nationally through a network of wholesale distributors.  For more information, visit www.redhook.com.

Redhook Late Harvest Autumn Ale

I love seasonal beer tasting.  I think it has to do with the adventure of tasting a beer that you clearly know has a purpose and a reason for existence beyond the normal reasons, of course.  Redhook Late Harvest Autumn Ale caught my eye at Fred Meyer today and I picked up a couple of bottles. 

I headed into this one with a lot of apprehension.  The last 5+ beers I have had have just been so mediocre.  Nothing really good coming out of some of the tastings I/we have had.  So, I guess I was thinking the worst when I poured this and took my first drink… thankfully, though, Redhook didn’t let me down and I am very happy to say that they have broken my dissapointing beer tasting streak.

This fine seasonal ale pours a wonderful copper-orange color with a nice tan head that rose about 1/2 an inch.  The beer smells spicy but not overly so… you really have to concentrate, but it is there.  The taste is fairly complex in the first 50% and then it easily becomes much more simple and leaves you cleanly and evenly… although I did have to pause for a minute to think about what I was tasting.  Hoppy at first, this beer has a wonderful bitterness in the early stage but the finish is super-mellow.  This makes for a flavorful but easy drinking beer that satisfies after a long day of work.

JBB6 Rating: For the Win

Redhook Long Hammer IPA

Came home just a bit early today to meet a man about a fence.  While waiting, I decided to go with one of the filler beers from the other day, so I chose Redhook Long Hammer IPA.

First, let me say that I really do like most of the Redhook brews that I have tasted.  They do a pretty good job for the amount of beer they brew.  Let me also say that this isn’t one of those beers… at least not in the bottle.  I seem to remember visiting their brewery several years ago and really liking this beer, but tonight it just didn’t sit right.

First, this was a very light IPA.  Probably one of the lightest I have seen.  Second, it just didn’t have that general IPA duality that is hard on the intitial swig, but soft on the way down.  Instead, this one just kind of stayed hard but underwhelmingly so… to the point that it just kind of muddles around in your mouth wondering what type of impression it should leave.

JBB6 Rating: Middle of the Road