I made a brief stop on my way to last night’s “A Night of Ales” Beer Dinner at Magnolia, who was hosting a “Vintage Barleywine Tasting Event.” On tap was their Old Thunderpussy barley wine from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 (aged in a bourbon barrel), and 2009 four ways; cask-conditioned, cask-conditioned aged in a bourbon barrel, draught and draught aged in a bourbon barrel. All were available with a special menu of cheeses and a homemade rabbit terrine. The new Old Thunderpussy is also made each year for Strong Beer Month, but it was a real treat to compare the current version with the previous three years. I’d say the cask 2009 is probably my favorite, actually, but the 2008 from a bourbon barrel was a close second.
2005-09 Old Thunderpussy.
A satisfied brewer Ben Spencer and Magnolia owner/brewmaster Dave McLean.
It really is amazing how the Bourbon barrel thing has caught on. Where were these beers a few years ago? Don’t get me wrong, I love them and it’s great to see beer and bourbon coming together. I’m sure that these were barreled for a short period because it seems difficult to get a beer that can truly stand up to a longer aging period. I’ve had some Stouts that have even failed to stand up (I think Schlafly’s Imperial Stout is a good example of this break-down. Goose Island, however, is great! When things come together well the vanilla, caramel, and nut notes just pop. I’m thirsty just thinking about it.