If you’re ready to embark on a sensory adventure and explore a beer that delivers an array of unique flavors and sensations, brace yourself for what’s in store.
This week’s featured selection is Barrel Alley from White Oak Brewing. While I’ve previously enjoyed two other offerings from this Normal-based brewery (Casual Jesus and Flock the Casbah), Barrel Alley is a completely different beast.
Barrel Alley is the result of a collaboration between White Oak Brewing and the retail chain Binny’s Beverage Depot, and its price tag reflects its uniqueness. This brew falls under the category of a “wheat wine,” a robust ale with a wheat component in its grain bill. White Oak produces a couple of other imperial stouts also named Barrel Alley, but the one under the spotlight is the version available in cans at its taproom as of Monday.
For those who haven’t ventured too far into the realm of extreme craft beers, Barrel Alley may come as quite a surprise, as it did for me. When poured into a glass, it presents an opaquely dark and rich brown hue, accompanied by an enticing aroma of chocolate and malt that I hadn’t encountered in a beer before. I was immediately captivated by this aspect, but it was also a clear signal that this brew meant business, which became even more evident upon taking my first sip.
To provide a bit of context, when I sample a beer for this column, I typically aim to finish the entire container it comes in, whether it’s a tall boy, a regular can, a pint glass, or any other vessel suitable for alcohol.
However, with Barrel Alley, I could only manage a few sips before feeling overwhelmed.
My initial encounter with this brew was marked by its remarkable depth, robust flavor, potent alcoholic kick, full-bodied character, and sweet, malty undertones. Its somewhat syrupy texture envelops the mouth and tongue, combining with a weighty, bitter aftertaste that lingers long after each sip. It’s akin to sipping on liquid dark chocolate, inundating the senses with a medley of tastes and sensations that can easily bewilder an inexperienced drinker like myself.
Barrel Alley is undoubtedly a beer crafted with meticulous care and expertise. It’s a “beer for beer drinkers” and an acquired taste, primarily catering to those in search of a significantly different beer experience. For more casual beer enthusiasts, it might prove to be a step too far into the deep end. While I genuinely enjoyed certain aspects of this brew, it was accompanied by such an abundance of flavors that I struggled to fully embrace it. Nevertheless, it’s a brew I intend to revisit, determined to learn how to appreciate its complexity.
