As a fine reflection of the flavorful frontiers of craft beer creativity being pioneered in Central Oregon, industry leader Deschutes Brewery has released the 2014 version of its acclaimed oak-aged barley wine, Mirror Mirror, last brewed in 2009.
The highly sought after limited-edition brew was the first to kick off Deschutes’ landmark Reserve Series back in 2005, born of a double batch of the flagship Mirror Pond Pale Ale in an inspired incarnation as a barrel aged barley wine layered with intriguing nuances.
It is brewed with English malts and Cascade and Millennium hops. Fifty percent was aged for 10 months in oak barrels that once held Oregon Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, and Malbec wines.
Now available in wax-dipped 22-ounce bottles, Mirror Mirror is only released every 4 to 5 years, so those craft beer aficionados looking for the current edition would be well advised to secure their supplies early.
At 11.2% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) and 53 IBUs (International Bitterness Units) it is said to cellar well, and the bottles have a “Best After” date of late February 2015, but the Deschutes pubs in Bend and Portland will also have fresh draft versions available to slake local connoisseurs’ thirst.
Over the years, Mirror Mirror has garnered lavish praise, including winning gold medals in the 2011 Brewing Industry International Awards (Class 2 for Strong Ale), 2006 World Beer Championships and 2006 North American Beer Awards, as well as being named The America’s Best Barley Wine Dark Ale at the 2011 World Beer Awards.
During a media release event at the inner sanctum of the Deschutes Brewery barrel room tucked away in an industrial building in south east Bend, in response to questions of how far the concept could go, company founder Gary Fish said: “Beer can age like wine, with advancement of tropical and sherry-like flavors, so like the wine and coffee industries which continue to push boundaries, who knows what the limits are.
“We are actually responding to consumer demand and we have great market research direct from the customers at our pubs, who tell us exactly what they do and don’t like, so really we are responding to the consumer desire for different experiences within the craft beer category. The consumer is looking for interesting experiences, and we are trying to keep up with them.
“Our brewers have the skill and knowledge and along with our sensory expert panels have willingness and a deep ability to experiment with intriguing combinations.”
Deschutes has also been developing a brand new “Pub Reserve Series” quietly released last year, and only available at its two pubs and tasting room, initially with “Big Red”, a double Cinder Cone Red.
A spokesperson added: “It’s no secret that our brewers love to experiment in the pub brewhouses, and this new series celebrates that passion with some never-seen-before, single-batch brews. First up is Big Red, aged in Cabernet and Syrah barrels. The next pub Reserve beer will be Planète Rouge, a blended sour red ale – releasing March 24, 2014.”
For more information, see website: www.deschutesbrewery.com or tel. (541) 385-8606
