Avery Releasing Barrel-Aged Series № 56: Imperial Stoutwork Orange

I brought you a peek at this beer already, and now the full details from Avery:

We’ve wrapped №56 in our Barrel-Aged Series with some nice gold foil just in time for the holidays. Introducing Imperial Stoutwork Orange: a stout aged for over four months in Bourbon and whiskey barrels with fresh orange peel, cacao nibs, and cardamom.

Imperial Stoutwork Orange is our latest take on an Avery classic. Stoutwork Orange first originated back in Avery’s alley days. We set out to imitate the flavor one finds in the chocolate oranges that are popular around the holidays — the ones you crack on a table and the chocolate breaks apart into little orange wedges. I adjuncted the first iteration in a baby bright with Thoma, another Avery brewer who has since moved on to other adventures. While we added in orange peel and cacao nibs, we chatted about A Clockwork Orange — one of his favorite movies and one of my favorite books.

When we finished loading the tank, I had to write a name on the tank’s white board. Thoma asked me what we should call it. I initially suggested Clockwork Orange.

Thoma responded, “How ‘bout Stoutwork Orange?!?!”

Hence, the birth of the beer and the name.

Since then, we’ve done several iterations of Stoutwork Orange. Upon arriving at our new Nautilus location, we decided to try barrel-aging it. Colin Quinn, a Special Projects Brewer, lead the way in experimenting with a high gravity base to create an Imperial Stoutwork Orange. This brew debuted at the Avery Invitational in 2018 as a “Real Horrorshow” Stoutwork Orange.

Everyone loved it, so we decided to induct Imperial Stoutwork Orange into our barrel-aging series. №56 will be shipping out across our distribution footprint to keep you nice and warm through the holidays.

Imperial Stoutwork Orange will be available in the Avery Tap Room and Restaurant and in select liquor stores across the country beginning on Friday, December 13. Learn more about our Barrel-Aged Series here: https://www.averybrewing.com/beers/barrel-aged-series.