ShopRite Wines & Spirits Micro-Brew Edition

Our cult-classic beast of a barleywine.

From the Brewer – “Bigfoot is a beast of a beer, brimming with bold flavors of bittersweet malt and heaps of aggressive whole-cone Pacific Northwest hops. First introduced in the winter of 1983, Bigfoot is a cult-classic beer brewed in the barleywine style, meaning a strong, robust, bruiser of a beer with the refined intensity of a wine. Bigfoot is prized by beer collectors for its supreme cellarability. Under the proper conditions, it can age like a fine wine, developing new flavors and character as it matures in the bottle. Each new release or “expedition” is vintage dated. Collect your own and see the flavors develop and progress.”

Aging Beer

Most beer should be consumed as fresh as possible to experience the bright flavors and complexity the brewer intends. Occasionally, though, some styles of beer will progress and improve with a bit of age—not unlike a fine wine. Beers that are high in alcohol, have a moderate amount of roasted grains, use a wild yeast, are barrel-aged, and are bottle conditioned are prime candidates for aging. Over time, gradual oxidation changes the flavors of the beer, adding notes of sherry or port wine and smoothing out harsh alcohol flavors. Vintage beers should be stored in a dark place with a cool and constant temperature for best results. Barleywines and Imperial Stouts are great candidates for aging, and both Bigfoot and Narwhal will progress in the bottle for years.

Great with Bread Pudding, Mission Figs, Medjool Dates. Also with pungent Blue Cheese.

Hops: Chinook, Cascade, Centennial
Malts:  Two-row Pale, Caramel
Yeast: Ale yeast
Original Gravity: 6° Plato
Hop Bitterness (IBU’s): 90
Alcohol by volume: 9.6%
Format: 750mL Bottle
Seasonality: Year Round