Wood Beer - Wood-Aged Beer
Name
Wood-Aged Beer
Category
Wood Beer
This category contains Specialty-Type Beers with a wood-aged or barrel character, with or without added alcohol character.
Guidelines
Impression
A pleasant enhancement of the base beer style with the characteristics from aging in contact with wood. The best examples will be smooth, flavorful, well-balanced, and well-aged.
Aroma
Varies with base style. A low to moderate woody aroma is usually present; some varietals may have a stronger, or distinctive character. Fresh wood can occasionally impart raw, fresh-cut wood smell, although this character should never be too strong. If the wood is toasted or charred, there may be low to moderate vanilla, caramel, toffee, toast, or cocoa character present.
Appearance
Varies with base style. Often darker than the unadulterated base beer style, particularly if toasted or charred barrels are used.
Flavor
Varies with base style. Wood usually contributes a woody flavor, and possibly a distinctive varietal character. New wood may add a raw, fresh-cut wood impression. Toasted or charred wood can add vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, toasted bread, toasted nuts, coffee, chocolate, or cocoa, depending on the wood varietal and level of toast or char. Wood-derived flavors should be balanced, supportive, and noticeable, while not overpowering the base beer style.
Mouth Feel
Varies with base style. Tannins from the wood may increase the perception of body, as well as enhancing the dryness of the finish; some astringency from wood tannins is allowable. Tart or acidic characteristics should be low to none, and never distracting.
Comments
Much of the character depends on the type of wood used, and how well it complements and enhances the base style. Age character is allowable, but excessive oxidation or sourness is a fault. Noticeable alcohol is not a fault in stronger base styles.
History
A traditional production method that is rarely used by major breweries, and usually only with specialty products. More popular with modern craft breweries looking for new, distinctive products. Oak cask and barrels are traditional, although other woods are becoming more popular.
Ingredients
Varies with base style. Aged in wooden casks or barrels, or using wood-based additives (e.g., chips, staves, spirals, cubes). Fuller-bodied, higher-gravity base styles often are used since they can best stand up to the additional flavors, although experimentation is encouraged.
Entry Instructions
The entrant must specify the type of wood used and the toast or char level (if used). If an unusual varietal wood is used, the entrant must supply a brief description of the sensory aspects the wood adds to beer. Entrant must specify a description of the beer, identifying either a Base Style or the ingredients, specs, or target character of the beer. A general description of the special nature of the beer can cover all the required items.
Statistics
| Type | Min | Max |
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Commercial Examples
- Bush Prestige
- Cigar City Spanish Cedar Jai Alai
- Firestone Walker Double Barrel Ale
- Midnight Sun Arctic Devil
- Petrus Aged Pale
- Samuel Smith Yorkshire Stingo
Tags
- specialty-beer
- wood