Yes, I know, there's a "day" for everything, but Brew Ales & Eats in my little town actually took part in this particular made-up day, and I'm sure glad they did. Enjoyed a snifter of De Kleine Dood ("The Little Death"), a collaboration on tap from Local Option (Chicago, IL) and Central Waters (Amherst, WI). A barrel-aged Weissenbock. Dark, bourbon-y, sweet... a true pleasure. 9.05%

I love big rich barrel aged beers. Having a snifter of Imperial Stout aged in a bourbon barrel or a rye whiskey with a hearty steak dinner is something special. It's obviously not for everyone, but I truly enjoy it. Within the next few weeks we will be bottling our third offering from our barrel aged program. Some aged in bourbon barrels and some aged in rye barrels and then blended together. Great winter beer.