Breckenridge Brewery Barrel Master Eddie Varela and Head Brewer Carl Heinz Talk Brewery Lane Series: Barrel Aged Imperial Cherry Stout

We spoke with Breckenridge Brewery Barrel Master Eddie Varela and Head Brewer Carl Heinz about Brewery Lane Series: Barrel Aged Imperial Cherry Stout.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
Its velvety mouthfeel and rich depth of flavors.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Brewery Lane is a specialty series of one-off beers that we can get really creative with. It’s also the name of the street that leads to our Littleton brewery.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
Not “desert island”- but it would be equally enjoyable around a high mountain campfire or on the dinner table shared with good friends.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Rich, malty, complex with dark fruit aromas and warming finish.

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
This beer was a real challenge to create, both in the brew house and logistically as far as the timing and sourcing of raw materials. One major event that sticks out in my mind was when we got the rare (and brief) opportunity to acquire port wine barrels, and then we realized that we had to wait for the cherries to ripen. So even though we had almost everything we needed to brew, we were still waiting for mother nature. When the cherries finally arrived, I remember brewing 3 turns on a Saturday over more than 12 hrs, for approximately 200bbls of wort (a volume we can usually crank out in 2 turns and 8 hrs). It was all worth it.

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
BBQ- ribs or brisket.