In 2008, Full Sail Brewing Co. of Hood River, Ore., created a small-batch “Brewer’s Share” series that allowed each of its brewers to develop a beer and share it on tap at the brewery’s pub. Because the brewers came up with so many great beers, the brewery decided to bottle a selection of them so that they could be enjoyed beyond the pub.
In January 2012, Extra Special Barney, an Extra Special Bitter (ESB) developed by brewing supervisor Barney Brennan, became the first release in the series. It is currently available in 22-ounce bottles, while supplies last. (The other, yet-to-be-released beers in the series include Phil’s Existential Alt, Chris’s Summer Delight Berliner Weiss and Big Daddy J’s Malt Liquor.)
According to Brennan, this traditional English-style ale is a departure from the big, hoppy, Northwest ales. It was brewed with a special attention to balance, highlighting both malt and hops. The beer's recipe included five different malt varieties and it was single-hopped with Challenger hops, an English variety that was grown in the Yakima Valley of Washington state.
Extra Special Barney is smooth and creamy on the tongue and rich with malt flavors. Pleasant notes of toasted bread and nuts weave among hints of light toffee and fruity yeast esters. Malt flavors are complemented by a balancing amount of spicy-herbal hops.
“First inspiration for this beer came during hop selection in Yakima,” Brennan says. “We had no intentions of purchasing Challenger hops, but after rubbing and smelling them, we could not resist a small purchase for something ‘extra special.’”
With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity or organization to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. For his beer, Brennan chose to support Columbia Gorge Arts in Education. “I have had so many great experiences in my life centered around the arts,” says Brennan. “CGAIE helps kids make those discoveries.”
Great beer for a great charity. Who wouldn’t want to drink to that?
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