Rochester Mills to release series of bourbon-barrel-aged beers

Rochester Mills Beer Co. and Production Brewery announced a series of bourbon-barrel-aged (BBA) beers based on select year-round and seasonal offerings. These BBA beers will be available at its brew pub in downtown Rochester, Mich., a couple events and sold exclusively on draft to bars and restaurants across Rochester Mills’ distribution footprint.

The first in the series according to the release will be a BBA Snow Dazed Winter Ale. Dark in color and high in alcohol, BBA Snow Dazed is a full-bodied winter seasonal beer with a good balance of malt and hops. After aging in bourbon barrels for two months, a distinct oak, bourbon and vanilla flavor experience is created adding to the beer’s complexity.

BBA Snow Dazed will be released Feb. 18 in limited quantities across Rochester Mills’ distribution footprint and will be available at the Michigan Brewer’s Guild Winter Beer Festival in Grand Rapids, Mich. The brewery expects to release at least two more bourbon-barrel-aged (BBA) series beers in 2013 (BBA Milkshake Stout and BBA Rochester Red Ale).

“We have wanted to experiment with aging beers in barrels for some time, but it wasn’t until we opened our production facility did we have the means, resources and space to do it right, said Rochester Mills founder Mike Plesz. “We are extremely pleased with how our first small batch bourbon-barrel-aged series beer turned out and are looking forward to expanding our offerings as we grow.”

2012 was a big year for Rochester Mills. In April, the brewpub expanded to open its own 48,000-square-foot production facility to make and distribute its beer.