Barrel Aged Beer Week always brings the heavy hitters. The big stouts. The hyped returns. The beers you circle on the list the second it drops. But every year, tucked between those familiar favorites, there’s something unexpected. Something that sounds a little wild on paper. And every so often, one of those experiments completely steals the show.
Jalisco Highlands
This one comes from a hacienda in the Jalisco Highlands that produces traditional handmade sipping tequila from bee pollinated Blue Weber agave. The brewery filled that añejo tequila barrel with a blend of a strong Belgian style Blonde and their Thunderstorm Honey Ale, creating a 13.8% ABV sipper that sounds like a gamble and drinks like a triumph.
Brilliant copper liquid fills the snifter, glowing warmly under the light. A small, bubbly white head forms on the pour, fizzles quickly, and settles into a thin halo clinging to the edge of the glass. It looks rich and inviting without being heavy or opaque.
The aroma is immediately expressive. Sweet caramel and toasted buttery oak rise first, followed by delicate citrus and that unmistakable Belgian candi sugar character. There’s a soft honeyed sweetness woven throughout, tying the tequila barrel and Belgian base together more seamlessly than you might expect.
On the palate, it’s bright and layered. Berry notes pop up early, followed by delicate citrus and a lovely cherry character that lingers across the tongue. There’s a flash of something reminiscent of watermelon in the aftertaste, subtle but unmistakable once you catch it. The honey sweetness keeps everything rounded, while the toasted oak provides balance without overpowering the base beer. At 13.8% ABV, it drinks with warmth but never veers into harsh territory. It is complex, evolving with each sip, yet remains remarkably drinkable.
Beautiful Barrel-Aged Brew
I always look forward to the annual mainstays, the big barrel aged beasts that define the week. But it is beers like this that remind me why Barrel Aged Beer Week continues to surprise me. A Belgian beer aged in a tequila barrel should feel chaotic. Instead, it feels intentional, cohesive, and beautifully executed. Wild idea. Incredible result.