America in Barrels: The Jameson Drinking Buddies Program

Barrel-aged is a phrase that can bring a twinkle of intrigue to the most banal…

https://beerconnoisseur.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/16.jpg

Deep Ellum's Local Legend Jameson Collaboration Beer ConnoisseurBarrel-aged is a phrase that can bring a twinkle of intrigue to the most banal of brews. When done right, the elixir within can summon flavors powerful enough to suspend time and cause statues of Dionysus to shed a single whiskey-laden teardrop.

So when five American craft breweries got a call from Jameson, makers of the famed Irish whiskey, they knew something special was fomenting, and would soon be fermenting.

The concept was simple enough – Jameson would fly brewers from each company to Ireland, show them how Jameson was made, and send them home with six barrels apiece to make a special collaboration beer. The execution was not as simple. In the case of Jameson, a 235 year-old company, barrels are not given out lightly.

“We want to stay in control of everything that comes out of our barrels,” said Dave Quinn, Jameson’s Master of Whiskey Science.

In fact, until the previous year, no barrels had ever been given to a U.S. company. Even then, it was one company, New York’s KelSo Beer Co., and only ten barrels, which housed a lovingly aged KelSo IPA.

The result was successful enough that Jameson made it an official, annual event – the Jameson Drinking Buddies program. This year’s selections were chosen based on passion, both for their craft and for the communities they serve. Here are the tasting notes for each:


Angel City Brewery Imperial Irish Ale
“Our aim in creating the Imperial Irish Red Ale was to create a beer that reflected the history, complexity and character of the Jameson experience, and also spoke strongly to our local audience of passionate and loyal craft beer lovers.” – Jon Carpenter, Angel City Brewmaster

ABV – 15.0%
Color – Rich mahogany hue.
Aroma – Ripe fig and toffee notes.
Flavor – Light vanilla, molasses, black cherries and a distinct peppery finish. The beer has an indulgent, yet subtle sweetness, full body, and lingering warmness.

 

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Trans-Atlantic Red
“We wanted the beer to be able to stand up to the strength of the wood, and blend into one. We didn’t want one to overpower the other.” –Scott Vaccaro, Captain Lawrence Founder

ABV – 7.0%
Color – Deep auburn with highlights of red.
Aroma – Rich and malty, with hints of chocolate and citrus fruit.
Flavor – Deep and rich, with a big malt backbone, chocolate and coffee flavors and a restrained hop character. The Jameson barrels lend a layer of complexity that is highlighted by vanilla and toasted oak.

 

Deep Ellum Brewing Company Local Legend Jameson Edition
“We all brought some great ideas to the table and this one was overwhelmingly the best one. The stout as the base beer was a no-brainer. The usage of a portion of unmalted barley in the mash is a Jameson tradition. Pecans are a Texas tradition. This collaboration was meant to be!” – Jeremy Hunt, Deep Ellum Brewmaster

ABV – 6.0%
Color – Deep black.
Aroma – Notes of vanilla and caramel, hints of licorice.
Flavor – Rich mouthfeel from the flaked barley, notes of dark chocolate and roasted grains as well as an uncommon smoothness. 

 

Great Divide Brewing Company The Smoothness
“I just felt a great responsibility to take a little bit of Ireland, take a little bit of Denver and create something completely new that the community could be able to enjoy.” – Ethan Osborne, Great Divide Head Brewer

ABV – 8.5% 
Color – Dark brown to black.
Aroma –Whiskey notes, chocolate, oak and leather.
Flavor – Dark, smooth lager that has a velvety, silky mouthfeel that accentuates roasted malt, vanilla and oak. It has a medium malt backbone that makes for a very balanced and highly quaffable lager that highlights the characteristics of the Jameson barrels.

 

Hilliard’s Beer Jameson Whiskey Barrel Sour
“I think primarily we were reminded that everyone in this business, the making and selling booze business, started from the same place. We’re all just people with passion, doing our best to create a product of the highest quality and hoping that our customers know that every time they taste it. Knowing that, even when you’re as big and well known as Jameson, it’s possible to continue to create a craft product and be true to your values.” – Ryan Hilliard, Hilliard’s Founder

ABV – 5.5%
Color – Chestnut.
Aroma – Citrus, spiced wood and a light sweetness.
Flavor – Kettle-soured saison with tart, lemony notes from the Belgian yeast and lactobacillus. Flavors of caramel, vanilla and charred oak imparted by the barrels.


Like all rare and fantastic beasts, you’re going to have a hard time finding these brews, because they were one-offs, and kegged. Never fear. Jameson is turning this into an annual program. We’ll have the details on next year’s brews in time for you to snag a sip or three.