A Deal With The Devil - Double Oaked by Anchorage Brewing Company is one of the most acclaimed and sought-after barrel-aged barleywines in the world, produced in extremely limited batches. With an alcohol content of around 17%, this beer matures in double-oaked bourbon barrels, resulting in extraordinary depth and intensity of flavor.
The “double oaked” process means the beer first ages in one set of bourbon barrels and is then transferred to fresh barrels, enhancing notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. The aroma is rich and complex, with layers of toffee, brown sugar, caramelized fruit, figs, and plums, while the background reveals warming hints of bourbon and toasted oak.
The flavor is thick, velvety, and almost syrup-like, perfectly balancing sweetness, alcohol warmth, and woody depth. The texture is smooth with low carbonation, allowing the intricate flavors to unfold gradually.
Due to its intensity and complexity, it’s best enjoyed slowly, served in a snifter or tulip glass at around 12 °C. It pairs exceptionally well with dark chocolate, caramel-based desserts, or aged cheeses.
Producer
Anchorage Brewing Company, located in Anchorage, Alaska, was founded in 2010 by brewer Gabe Fletcher, known for his experimental approach and technical precision in brewing. After more than a decade at Midnight Sun Brewing, Fletcher launched his own project built on the idea of combining the art of spontaneous fermentation with scientific process control.
The brewery quickly became a synonym for innovation in American craft brewing, especially through the use of wild yeasts such as Brettanomyces and mixed fermentation cultures. Their beers often undergo long maturation in oak barrels, which contributes to exceptional complexity and depth of flavor.
Anchorage Brewing does not produce standard commercial lines but focuses exclusively on limited and experimental releases, often numbered and hand-labeled. The brewery’s visual identity features artistic labels inspired by animals and nature, reflecting a philosophy of connection between humans, wilderness, and fermentation.
The beers typically have high alcohol content, ranging from 10 % to 17 %, yet maintain remarkable balance and elegance. Aromas blend notes of vanilla, bourbon barrels, roasted coffee, tropical fruit, and subtle acidity, depending on the style.
Anchorage Brewing is also recognized for perfectly merging traditional methods with modern fermentation science. Due to its small-batch production and limited distribution, every bottle becomes a collectible piece.
Today, Anchorage Brewing stands as a symbol of modern American craft brewing - where experimentation, passion, and perfectionism converge in every detail.
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