Almanac Releasing Sangriaveza and Strawberry & Basil

Summer is here and our fruit-filled barrels are whispering “I’m Ready.” Ok, maybe not whispering so much as shouting it out with huge strawberry aromas, deep grape-infused colors and complex fermentation notes from their time in the barrel. Around the brewery these are some of our favorite barrel projects ever, and we think you’ll agree.

Strawberry & Basil is a barrel-aged farmhouse ale born of the Santa Cruz Coast. This wild ale is built on a mountain of fresh seaside strawberries, grown under cool, salty, coastal breezes and sunny days. After aging our mixed fermentation farmhouse base on fresh strawberries, we added savory basil leaves, along with a touch of coriander, ginger, and grains of paradise for an herbal complexity that screams summer in a glass. Pair with a caprese salad, strawberry ice cream and afternoon hikes through wooded canyons.

Inspired by everyone’s favorite brunch drink, Sangriaveza is a barrel-aged sour beer with more personality than it knows what to do with. We aged blackberries, raspberries, cherries and merlot grapes separately in a mix of red and blonde base beer barrels, before creating the perfect blend. The result explodes with deep red fruit flavor and tannic notes, combined with light barrel-aged funk to make something special. Pair with seafood paella, berry sorbet, and siestas.