Three Tails Brewery in Mudgee has introduced its inaugural barrel-aged sours, marking a significant expansion in its brewing program. The three new beers, aged in wine barrels for up to five years, are a limited release and the first to emerge from the brewery’s barrel-aging initiative, which began in 2020 at an off-site location.
Mick Ash, co-owner of Three Tails Brewery, described the new venture as an exciting evolution for the business. “This is an exciting new venture for us, as we move to include barrel-aged brews as part of our range,” Ash said. “These beers are very different from our usual offering – they’re much more complex in both their layers of flavour and taste. They’re exactly like a fine wine – they’re not beers to be poured into a schooner glass and hurried; they’re meant to be sipped and enjoyed with a delicious meal.”
The trio of barrel-aged sours includes a range of distinctive flavors and varied alcohol content. The first release, The Drover’s Wife Table Beer, offers an approachable 5% ABV with a clean palate and prominent citrus notes. With only 120 bottles available, the beer has been aptly named as a “table beer” for its everyday drinkability.
The second offering, The Loaded Dog Shiraz Lager, boasts a higher ABV of 10.7% and is characterized by its soft fruitiness, lightness, and subtle sourness. This beer was crafted in collaboration with Robert Stein Winery, utilizing grapes from the winery’s 2023 Shiraz vintage. Only 110 bottles of the lager are available.
The third beer in the lineup, Over the Sliprails Golden Ale, sits at a 6% ABV and delivers a complex and assertive sour character. Barrel-aged for approximately five years, the golden ale is described as wild, funky, and punchy. With just 160 bottles in circulation, it strikes a balance between the first two releases.
The beers are part of the Henry Lawson Series, named after one of Mudgee’s most celebrated residents. The naming and artwork of each beer draw inspiration from Lawson’s literary works, further paying tribute to the region’s rich cultural and culinary heritage.
“These beers have truly been a labour of love, and one we’re proud to finally release to the market,” Ash added. “In naming the brews, we wanted something that was distinctly different from our core beer range, and something that paid tribute to Mudgee’s unique wine and culinary tradition.”
The limited-edition beers are now available for purchase at Three Tails Brewery, Kelly’s Wine Shop, and Sydney’s Barrel & Batch. Each bottle is priced at $35, with a three-pack available for $95.
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