My latest article for The Bulletin this week covers the first packaged, barrel-aged beer (ever) from Cascade Lakes Brewing—Midnight Drift, a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine. It was aged in Oregon Spirit Distillers bourbon barrels for six months, and packaged in 16-ounce cans; the brewery had provided me with a four-pack to sample.

It’s the second in the company’s nascent “Midnight” series, according to brewmaster Ryan Schmiege. The first was Midnight Sojourn, an imperial porter brewed with molasses that was aged in barrels for 11 months.

For Midnight Drift, the focus was on the malt and bourbon interplay.

“I targeted caramel, nutty and honey elements with the use of Weyermann Abbey and Melanoidin malts,” Schmiege said via email. “For additional depth of character we included some Briess cherry smoked malt. Smoked malt is not traditional in most barley wines.”

Smoked malt is unusual. However, he notes, “The impact is there, but it’s not the focus. It’s a layer.”

Don’t let my pull quote about smoke dissuade you; I didn’t get any notes of smoked malt, or at least it melded well with the bourbon barrel. You can read my full review at the article, as well as a hint as to future upcoming “Midnight” releases.