Bourbon Barrel Ein Freund and Black Yukon Sucker Punch Now Available!

With 2016 drawing to a close, we find it only fitting to release, not one, but two pub-only barrel aged brews. Bourbon Barrel Aged Ein Freund, brewed in honor to our friend, “Smokehouse Tim,” and Black Yukon Sucker Punch, our final Private Stache release of 2016. With both of these beers, we’re cementing the legacy of dudes who mean a lot to us; Tim who passed away in early 2016 and Al, who’s heading off to the big city next month.

Ein Freund was first brewed in January, 2016 as a tribute to longtime Short’s friend, Tim Watters. The proprietor of the Bellaire, Smokehouse, Tim was a true connoisseur of craft beer and a pillar of our community. In honor of Tim and in order to commemorate his life, we’ve decided to brew up a batch of Ein Freund each year, placing half the beer in barrels and serving half on tap. The barrel aged beer becomes Bourbon Barrel Ein Freund, which we’re proud to release today.

Bourbon Barrel Ein Freund (12% ABV – 70 IBU) is a Belgian Double IPA aged in bourbon barrels for 11 months. Brewed in honor of our friend, “Smokehouse Tim,” this Belgian Double IPA is burnt orange in color with a slight haze. Aromas of bourbon and citrus lead into scents of caramel and bubblegum esters. An initial bourbon flavor is complemented by flavors of citrus and caramel. Bourbon Barrel Ein Freund is medium-bodied, easy-drinking, unique, and engaging, just like Tim!

The second pub-only brew hitting the shelves of the pub and Short’s Mart today is Black Yukon Sucker Punch. The brainchild of Short’s Cellarman, Matt Hunter, Brewer / Cellarman, Al Russell, and Head Brewer, Tony Hansen, Black Yukon Sucker Punch is modeled after the iconic beverage consumed on the show “Twin Peaks.” When it was announced that a third season of twin Peaks was in the works, Matt, Al, and Tony got to work, coming up with plans for not one, not, two, but three supernatural inspired brews.

black-yukon-release-webBlack Yukon Sucker Punch is an Imperial Porter brewed with damn fine coffee from Higher Grounds Coffee and blackberries and aged in bourbon barrels. Pitch black in color with a deep mocha head and a faint purple hue, this Imperial Porter smells of coffee and blackberries upfront followed by chocolate and a hint of bourbon. The flavor is reminiscent of a blackberry bonbon dipped in bourbon with tart fruit, coffee, and oak flavors intermingling in the beer. Accompanied by a rich, velvety mouthfeel, Black Yukon Sucker Punch is a must taste brew.

So join us today at the pub as we remember Smokehouse Tim and say “See ya later” to our dear friend Al. Ein Freund and Black Yukon Sucker Punch will be pouring from taps today until our kegs run dry. Bottles of Bourbon Barrel Ein Freund ($12.00/22 oz) and Black Yukon Sucker Punch ($16.00/750 mL) are available in limited quantities only at the pub and Short’s Mart.

P.S. If you see a brewer named Al in Portland, buy him a beer.