Barrel AgeD

What does that mean ? a few words about beer storage

After the main fermentation in the fermentation cellar, we speak of young beer. This does not end up directly on the market, but is first stored by the breweries in large tanks in cool storage cellars. And this is not without reason.

Before it is bottled, secondary fermentation takes place, which is part of the production process of every beer. Depending on the style of beer, it can last from a few weeks to several months. The stronger the beer, the longer the brewer keeps it in the lagering cellar. During this time, the beer matures to its typical taste and becomes really harmonious. In addition, the carbonic acid is integrated into the beer during secondary fermentation, which we later describe as tangy when we drink it. After all, it should sparkle properly...

If the beer is stored for too short a time, it can taste disappointing or, in the worst case, be undrinkable because, for example, fusel alcohols, i.e. inferior alcohols that can cause headaches, have not yet decomposed. This is called a beer defect.

To get an idea of an approximate minimum storage period: A pilsner is usually stored for four to eight weeks, a bock beer for at least seven weeks and an imperial stout for between three and six months.

Barrel Aged ? On the beer bottles it says Barrel Aged what does that mean ?

A speciality are the beers that are additionally stored for many months after the completed production process, i.e. after the storage time in the brewery's storage cellar. This is done in wooden barrels in which wine, rum, cognac or whisky was previously stored. The finished beer absorbs exciting aromas from the wood of the barrels and, of course, also from the preventive storage with the respective spirits.

We have some barrel-aged beers on offer for beer lovers.

such as :

Excellence du Val-Dieu is a Grand Cru beer of the quadruple type, which was allowed to mature for 1 year in wine barrels of the Abbey of Lérins, thus absorbing the fine wine and wood aromas. It was produced in very limited quantities - only 14,000 bottles were released. The beer is pleasantly spicy with aromas of Porto and fresh hazelnuts. The beer can be stored without any problems. It took first place in the flavoured beer category at the 2021 World Beer Awards.

Ratebeer.com Rating: 95 / 98 / 4.04

Untappd: 4.10

Style: Quadrupel, Abbey Beer, Barrel Aged

Alcohol: 12,9%

Bitterness: --- IBU

Available: 75 cl (real cork)