Tap List | Torn Label Barrels Ahead

Torn Label Brewing Company has been having a lot of fun with barrels lately. Case in point: Torn Label brewmaster and co-founder Travis Moore has crafted a 15-barrel batch of Barrel-Aged Long Time Comin’ for its 2017 release. However, rather than stick with a single type of barrel, the brewery created unique barrel-aged variants within the batch for this limited release.

Long Time Comin’, an imperial stout (11.4-percent ABV), was aged in barrels from local distilleries J. Rieger and Company, Union Horse Distilling Company, Amigoni Urban Winery, and Tom’s Town Distilling Co. Torn Label also aged variants in barrels secured from area partner businesses. A variant exclusive to Lukas Liquors was aged in a Smooth Ambler whiskey barrel, and another for Plaza Liquor spent time in a Knob Creek bourbon barrel. The project began with a rare Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey barrel provided by Browne’s Irish Marketplace.

The inaugural version of Barrel-Aged Long Time Comin’ was aged in J. Rieger and Company whiskey barrels. Initially released for the taproom’s first anniversary in early 2016, the beer sold out within hours.

“We loved what the year spent in J. Rieger barrels did for our big stout,” said CEO and co-founder Rafi Chaudry. “We thought it would be fun to widen the scope and age a single batch of Long Time Comin’ in a series of different barrels from local wine and spirit artisans so drinkers can enjoy comparing and contrasting the subtle flavor nuances those diverse barrels impart.”

Browne’s will host a release party for their portion of the Knappogue version the week of April 10th. Every partner will receive half the amount aged in their particular barrel for their own release. All bottles will feature a distinct neck hanger that distinguishes the particular variant. Bottles will also be wax coated in differentiating colors.

“Every version shares a common heritage, which serves to highlight how profound the various oak and spirit character of the barrels can impact the end result,” said Chaudry. “One variant might have notes of caramel and nutmeg, while others may feature an aromatic cedar character, or a sticky, chocolate cherry dessert quality.”

Torn Label will host a release party at its taproom for the entire array of 22-oz. bottles beginning at noon on May 27. The Tom’s Town portion of Barrel-Aged Long Time Comin’ will be available on draft as well as in bottles.

Upcoming: 14th Parkville Microbrew Festival

For craft beer lovers, this festival in Parkville is a spring rite of passage that ushers in the year’s craft beer festival season. The festival takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at English Landing Park in downtown Parkville. Tickets are $36 online or $45 at the gate.

Boulevard Brewing Company’s Zon has returned. (Boulevard)

Tap Notes

Brewery Emperial’s (1829 Oak) has a pre-Prohibition American Cream Ale in the icehouse. Look for it soon. It was brewed with 20-percent corn mash, Crystal hops, and German lager yeast before being fermented on the high side of lager range and stored cold for four weeks before filtration. Also, the brewery will tap a Maibock (six percent ABV) in May, a traditional German Helles in color and flavor with noble hops, German yeast, low range lager fermentation, and 60-day lagering.

99 Hops House (777 NW Argosy Parkway) has Founder’s KBS on its self-serve beer wall, plus eight new beers on tap. Check Untappd for a complete listing.

Now available in six-packs, Boulevard Brewing’s summer seasonal Zon Belgian-style Witbier is its interpretation of the classic style. Zon (Flemish for “sun”) has subtle flavors of coriander and orange peel, which makes it a delightful, refreshing summer beer. Also, Boulevard’s Changeling, a blend of dark sour ales aged in whiskey and wine barrels is out in 750-ml. bottles.

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— Pete Dulin writes about food trends for Flatland and is the author of the “KC Ale Trail.” Follow @FlatlandKC and #TapList on Twitter for more food news and trends.