BARREL AGED
RESERVES
Limited releases, where barrel aging beer in oak is an art within an art shaped by patience, innovation, and an intimate connection to history. From the subtle hints of vanilla and coconut to the bold notes of dark fruit, toast, and caramel, barrel aging creates these magnificent and uniquely soft flavors. Matanuska Brewing maintains fifty plus barrels of special high octane beers. Numerous types of barrels and oak are used for their distinct flavors. Barrels include those previously holding Kentucky Bourbon, Rye Whiskey, Caribbean Rum, Brandy, Red Wine, White Wine and more. Types of oak include American Oak, French Oak, Hungarian, Oak, Ukrainian Oak, and more.
The Matanuska Barrel Aging Program began with the 2021 vintages but has roots going back another quarter century – pioneering modern oak aging for breweries. In 1996, our Master Brewer, Kevin Burton, developed an obsession with the art of coopering and barrel aging. Through extensive research and with help and training from Master Cooper Phil Burton (no relation except they both like to drink a lot) of Barrel Builders (California’s oldest continually operating barrel cooperage), he began this life long project of aging beer in oak barrels resulting is numerous awards from The Toronado Barleywine Festival, The Great American Beer Festival, The Great Alaska Barleywine Festival, The Seattle Hard Liver Festival, The Chicago Barrel Aged Beer Festival, and many others.
Every winter we bottle eight or nine of these for special release at the brewery. Various vintages and styles are available. Whether you are into barleywines, imperial stouts, imperial porters, imperial black beers, wee heavy scotch ales, imperial fruit beers, Belgian style quadruples, or imperial red IPAs, we got’em on oak! Check out our selections below.
2021 BOURBON BARREL STOUT
Aged 1 year in bourbon barrels. Dark, roasty, smooth chocolate flavors. Bourbon aromas from the oak.
Alcohol: 5.66% by vol. Starting Gravity: 15.50 Plato (1.063 S.G.). BUs 21.
2021 BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL OATMEAL BLACK LAGER
A “lagerized” version of three styles: British imperial stout, oatmeal stout, and schwartz bier (black beer). Aged in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels 1 year.
Alcohol: 8.23% by vol. Starting Gravity: 19.30 Plato (1.081 O.G.). BUs 30.
2021 BOURBON BARREL PORTER
Aged 1 year in Old Fitzgerald Larceny bourbon barrels. Malty sweetness, roast, and bourbon flavors.
Alcohol: 6.70% by vol. Starting Gravity: 18.00 Plato (1.074 S.G.). BUs 35.
2021 RYE WHISKEY BARREL PORTER
Aged 1 year in Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels. Malty sweetness with roast, cocoa, and whiskey flavors.
. Alcohol: 6.70% by vol. Starting Gravity: 18.00 Plato (1.074 S.G.). BUs 35.
2022 GRAPE BRANDY BARREL IMPERIAL COFFEE BLACK BEER
Aged 1.5 years in brandy barrels. Infused coffee. Chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut, coffee. Has caffeine.
Alcohol: 8.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 19.30 Plato (1.081 S.G.). BUs 30.
2022 BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL OATMEAL BLACK BEER
A “lagerized” version of three styles: British imperial stout, oatmeal stout, and schwartz bier (black beer). Aged in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels 2 years.
Alcohol: 8.23% by vol. Starting Gravity: 19.30 Plato (1.081 S.G.). BUs 30.
2022 BOURBON BARREL PORTER
Aged 2 years in Old Fitzgerald Larceny bourbon barrels. Sweet roast, cocoa, caramel and oaky bourboness.
Alcohol: 6.70% by vol. Starting Gravity: 18.00 Plato (1.074 S.G.). BUs 35.
2022 BOURBON BARREL “SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL” BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Evan Williams bourbon barrels. Malty, vanilla, bourbon flavors. A beer of wealth & taste!
Alcohol: 10.40% by vol. Starting Gravity: 25.00 Plato (1.106 S.G.). BUs 50.
2022 WHEATED BOURBON BARREL “SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL” BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Old Fitzgerald Larceny wheated bourbon barrels. Big, malty, vanilla, bourbon. Pleased to meet you.
Alcohol: 10.40% by vol. Starting Gravity: 25.00 Plato (1.106 S.G.). BUs 50.
2022 GRAPE BRANDY BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 2 years in grape brandy barrels. Vanilla, chocolate, coconut, and brandy. Creamy and dark.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.50 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.
2022 CARIBBEAN RUM BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 2 years in Plantation rum barrels. Vanilla, chocolate, and rum. Smooth and dark. Pirate on!
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.50 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.
2022 TEN YEAR BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 2 years in Eijah Craig 10 year bourbon barrels. Vanilla, chocolate, and bourbon. Big and dark.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.50 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.
2022 BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 2 years in Evan Williams bourbon barrels. Vanilla, chocolate, coconut, and bourbon. Creamy and dark.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.50 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.
2023 BOURBON BARREL EXPORT STOUT
Aged 1 year in Evan Williams bourbon barrels. Bourbon and vanilla notes shine. Roasty chocolateness.
Alcohol: 5.66% by vol. Starting Gravity: 15.00 Plato (1.061 S.G.). BUs 45.
2023 BOURBON BARREL WEE HEAVY SCOTCH ALE
Aged 1 year in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. A malty bourbon kilt bomb!
Alcohol: 7.10% by vol. Starting Gravity: 18.00 Plato (1.074 S.G.). BUs 25.
2023 BOURBON BARREL DOPPEL BOCK
Aged 1 year in in Old Fitzgerald Larceny bourbon barrels. Beautiful malty bourbon and vanilla.
Alcohol: 8.15% by vol. Starting Gravity: 22.00 Plato (1.092 S.G.). BUs 20.
2023 BOURBON BARREL SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Elijah Craig 10 year bourbon barrels. Malty smooth bourbon notes.
. Alcohol: 9.41% by vol. Starting Gravity: 25.00 Plato (1.106 S.G.). BUs 22.
2023 RYE WHISKEY BARREL ONE YEAR SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels. Sinful flavors of vanilla and whiskey.
Alcohol: 10.67% by vol. Starting Gravity: 25.00 Plato (1.106 S.G.). BUs 50
2023 RYE WHISKEY BARREL TWO YEAR SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 2 years in Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels. Devilish flavors of malt, vanilla, and whiskey.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.00 Plato (1.101 S.G.). BUs 22.5.
2023 WHISKEY BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 2 years in Rittenhouse Rye whiskey barrels. Chocolate, roast, toffee, whiskey, and vanilla flavors.
Alcohol: 9.77% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.00 Plato (1.101 S.G.). BUs 50.
2023 BRANDY BARREL CHERRY QUADRUPLE
Belgian style quadruple dosed with tart cherries. Aged 1 year in brandy barrels.
Alcohol: 10.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 23.00 Plato (1.096 S.G.). BUs 15.
2024 CARIBBEAN RUM BARREL IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 3 years in Plantation rum barrels. Vanilla, chocolate, coconut, rum. Smooth and dark.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.30 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.
2024 BOURBON BARREL DOPPEL BOCK
Aged 2 years in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. Malty, vanilla, and bourbon flavors.
Alcohol: 8.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 20.50 Plato (1.022 S.G.). BUs 20.
2024 BOURBON BARREL SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. Single malt with big flavors of malt, vanilla, and bourbon
Alcohol: 11.50% by vol. Starting Gravity: 29.60 Plato (1.127 S.G.). BUs 50.
2024 BIRCH SYRUP BOURBON BARREL SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. Brewed with Alaskan birch syrup. Notes of bourbon and birch.
Alcohol: 10.67% by vol. Starting Gravity: 28.00 Plato (1.120 S.G.). BUs 50.
LIMITED RELEASE – 2024 BRANDY/WHISKEY BARREL IMPERIAL RAZZ
Aged 1 year in brandy and rye whiskey barrels. Flavors of raspberry, whiskey, and brandy. Real raspberries.
Alcohol: 9.03% by vol. Starting Gravity: 21.03 Plato (1.090 S.G.). BUs 17.5.
2024 BOURBON BARREL IMPERIAL PORTER
Aged 1 year in Old Fitzgerald Larceny bourbon Barrels. Smooth sailing with this big daddy.
Alcohol: 9.05% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.40 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 35.
2025 IMPERIAL STOUT
Aged 4 years in Evan Williams Bourbon barrels. Flavors of bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate.
Alcohol: 9.00% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.50 Plato (1.103 S.G.). BUs 50.0.
2025 IMPERIAL RED IPA
Aged 1 year in Heaven Hills bourbon barrels. Malty and hoppy with bourbon flavors.
Alcohol: 9.90% by vol. Starting Gravity: 24.80 Plato (1.105 S.G.). BUs 70.0.
2025 BOURBON BARREL SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in in Kentucky bourbon barrels. Sinful flavors of malt, bourbon, and vanilla.
Alcohol: 10.50% by vol. Starting Gravity: 27.00 Plato (1.115 S.G.). BUs 47.0.
2025 BRANDY BARREL SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in in brandy barrels. Made with Alaska birch syrup.
Alcohol: 10.80% by vol. Starting Gravity: 29.50 Plato (1.127 S.G.). BUs 50.0.
2025 CARIBBEAN RUM BARREL SINGLE MALT SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL BARLEYWINE
Aged 1 year in Caribbean rum barrels. This devil is malty rich and smooth with dark rum notes.
Alcohol: 10.50% by vol. Starting Gravity: 27.00 Plato (1.115 S.G.). BUs 47.0.
2025 BELGIAN STYTLE CHERRY QUAD
Aged 1 year in Makers Mark and Jim Beam bourbon barrels. Dosed with real cherries.
Alcohol: 11.06% by vol. Starting Gravity: 25.00 Plato (1.106 S.G.). BUs 15.
