AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time in its twelve years of brewing, Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse, is releasing barrel-aged beers. The brewery is simultaneously introducing four fall and winter seasonal beers barrel-aged in whiskey and tequila barrels. The new brews are available individually by the glass, as flights, or served as “Flights & Bites” paired with tapas-style dishes.
“When we expanded our operations to be Austin’s first ‘Brewstillery’ earlier this year with the introduction of Uncle Billy’s Spirits, I knew we had a great opportunity to start our first barrel aging program,” said Uncle Billy’s Head Brewer, Stephen Wagner. “Once we had empty whiskey barrels, I aged a test batch, and it turned out amazing. We chose beer styles that age well in wood letting the spirit quality from the barrels bring out additional flavors and the slow oxidation also imparts enjoyable flavors. With barrel aging, hop bitterness softens, malt flavors are enhanced, sweetness mellows, and flavors mingle to make much more complex beers. With a steady supply of barrels coming through our distillery, I’m able to maintain an ongoing program of delicious barrel-aged beers for our tap.”
The first Uncle Billy’s barrel-aged beers to be released include three aged in bourbon barrels and one aged in tequila barrels from Tequila 512:
- Bourbon Barrel Aged Berdoll Brown Pecan Ale, a fall seasonal traditional nut brown ale brewed with local pecans aged six weeks in Uncle Billy’s Bourbon Whiskey barrels to mellow the sweetness and amp up the caramel and nutty flavors
- Bourbon Barrel Aged Uncle Billy’s Shokolad 2017, a winter seasonal chocolate imperial stout aged six weeks in Uncle Billy’s Bourbon Whiskey barrels to enhance the dark cherry, plum and chocolate flavors and a warming boozy finish
- Bourbon Barrel Aged Shrieking Eel IPA, Uncle Billy’s most popular year-round beer on tap aged four weeks in Uncle Billy’s Bourbon Whiskey barrels to take slightly mute the bitterness and add smooth vanilla flavors that compliments the bright citrus flavor
- Tequila Barrel Aged Lemongrass Wit, a seasonal witbier aged for two months in Tequila 512 barrels letting the beer mature and pick up subtle tequila flavors that are fantastic with the orange peel, and pink peppercorns notes for a complex, citrusy and tangy beer
“We’ve had a great relationship with Uncle Billy’s over the years,” said Scott Willis, founder of Tequila 512. “Austin loves tequila. Austin loves beer. And, they go great together. After talking to Stephen Wagner, we knew the citrus flavors of the Lemongrass Wit beer would go great with qualities of tequila from our barrels. It adds amazing nuance and complexity.”
The barrel-aged beers are available on tap only at Uncle Billy’s on Barton Springs Road while they last, and the Flights & Bites special plate pairings will be served for one week only beginning December 10th through December 16th. Uncle Billy’s Brewery will continue to age beers in barrel with plans to offer one barrel-aged brew on tap year-round. New barrel-aged beers will be added to the menu after the original four releases run out.
About Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse
Founded in 2006, Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse is located in the heart of Austin’s funkiest restaurant row on Barton Springs Road and is inspired by William “Uncle Billy” Barton, whose 1830’s tract included the renowned springs. Uncle Billy’s offers the perfect combination of award-winning, craft beers, distilled spirits, hand-crafted cocktails, and delicious, slow-smoked Texas barbeque. Learn more at: http://unclebillys.com and connect with Uncle Billy’s Brewery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.