Big Grizz Barleywine and Other Seasonals at Carver Brewing Co.
I stopped by Carver Brewing Co. last week to try the Big Grizz Barleywine and see what other beers have come on tap recently.
Big Grizz Barleywine Style Ale is back and it’s good. I was told this year it’s a little stronger, around 11% ABV. It’s very smooth, slightly sweet and not overpowering. Big Grizz is the only beer I know of that Carver’s bottles. In addition to being available in 10oz glasses on tap, it’s available in 750ml bottles for $20 $12.95 (Carver Brewing Co. head brewer Erik Maxson commented below and let me know that the current bottles of Big Grizz are $12.95, vintage bottles are $20. See the comments below for more from Erik). They also have a few 2006 and 2008 bottles that have been aging available for $20 as well. I imagine Big Grizz ages well, I bet Big Grizz 2006 tastes amazing.
I didn’t get to try these other two. Powerhouse Porter is back on tap. I think it was available at the beginning of the summer, if it’s the same beer I’m thinking of it’s pretty good. A porter brewed with organic coffee and $1 from every pint sold goes to the Durango Discovery Museum.
Also newly on tap is Celebration Strong Ale. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but Carver’s Facebook page describes it as, “A malty, festive strong ale brewed in Celebration of our 21st Birthday of making beer”.
Congrats on 21 years of brewing great beer Carver’s!
$20 for a 750 of Carvers beer? Is it worth it? I may have to try that Big Grizz tonight. I have yet to find a beer coming out of Durango’s breweries that’s worth paying over $10 for. Maybe this is it, maybe my ship has landed. I hope so.
Yeah, $20 is a bit steep. It’s a good beer, but I’m not a huge Barleywine fan, so I didn’t buy a bottle. People that like Barleywine’s more than I do might not have a problem paying that price for it though. I definitely wouldn’t buy a bottle of it to drink right away, depending on how well it’s aged the ‘06 and ‘08 vintages might be more worthy of the price.
Hey Jeff;
Glad to hear you enjoyed the Grizz on draught. The current batch of bottles sells for $12.95, the older vintages are the $20 a bottle. We also have a very special blended, barrel aged Grizz on tap as well as in the 750ml bottles called the El Oso Agrio. Come on in and check it out.
Prost!
erik m.
Thanks for the clarification Erik. I’ll update the post.