The Reverend Scores 3 6-packs of Divine Reserve No. 6

The Reverend Jeff Chou informed me Friday night that he had scoured the lands in search of St. Arnold's new Divine Reserve No. 6 and has successfully secured three 6-packs of the highly regarded American Barleywine. For those of you not familiar with St. Arnold's Divine Reserve series, it is a small batch specialty (reads highly potent) brew release periodically by St. Arnold's in the local Houston area. Securing a six pack is akin to getting tickets to a Duke home basketball game. Many times greedy store managers hord the brew for themselves or hide 6-packs behind other beers. To be able to aquire three 6-packs is a true "blessing."

Miraculously, Dave and I had the good fortune to try a glass of Divine Reserve No. 6 at our favorite watering hole, The Flying Saucer, that same night. Regrettably, the consumption of such a strong brew put an early end to our festive night and prompted a ride in the mythical chariot, known by commoners as a TAXI.

Divine Reserve

Reserve No. 6: American Barleywine
Cases Made: 1,172
Kegs Made: 24 half-barrel kegs
Date Brewed: April 21, 2008
Date Bottled: June 4, 2008
Original Gravity: 1.094
Final Gravity: 1.019
Alcohol: 10% ABV

Description: This is a big, malty, hoppy barleywine. Yet with all of the intense flavors, they meld together to create a well-balanced big beer. The nose has a strong resiny hop note. The taste starts with a combination of the malty sweetness and spicy hops with both flavors magnified by the high alcohol level. The spiciness carries through the middle and finishes with a satisfyingly dry bitter. It was brewed with 2 row pale, Caramunich and Special B malts with brown sugar added in the kettle and hopped with 225 lbs of Columbus hops including 44 lbs that were dry hopped. We used our Saint Arnold yeast strain which gives a rich, creamy mouthfeel to the brew. It is unfiltered and will clarify with aging. Enjoy at 45°F or warmer. This beer will age well.