For my first article of the year for The Bulletin, out this week, I profiled a new barrel-aged barleywine from Redmond’s Initiative Brewing, released in time for the holidays that the brewery called Non-DenominationALE (a name I think is very clever actually.)

According to brewmaster Chris Brumley, it’s the first barleywine Initiative has produced, and he “tried to keep it simple but true to style.” He developed the recipe based on the classic strong ales of England, which is where the style originated.

“The recipe was 90% Maris Otter, 7% malted white wheat, (and) 3% C-40,” said Brumley via email. Maris Otter is an English malt known for its rich and nutty flavors, while C-40 is a caramelized malt (commonly known as crystal malt) which adds color, sweetness, and body. Nugget and East Kent Golding hops round out the recipe and provide balance and aromatics.

For the barrel aging component, “We aged it for two weeks in our brite tank on Broken Top Bourbon barrel staves,” he said.

I touch briefly on characteristics origins of the barleywine style and have my notes on the beer. I’d picked up a growler in the latter half of December but the beer should still be available if you want to try it—I call out the holidays but it’s a good beer to drink through the winter as well.