Bright Brewery have long dabbled in big dark beers and the occasional barrel but Infinite Barrel Works represents the start of something new. The series sees them start a dedicated barrel program of their own, which has long been on the (presumably long) wishlist for founder, Scott Brandon. Under the watchful eye of head brewer Lewis Kerr, it's launching as we approach winter for 2024 and fittingly given the Inifinite moniker, the new series features something of the old.
Way back in 2019 (AKA before the beginning of The Collapse), Bright Brewery sent some fo their annual Stubbon (nee Stubborn Russian) down the road to Backwoods Distillery so the family-run indie outfit could turn it into whisky and age it away in barrels. That barrel and some whisky was then sent back to Bright to age another Stubborn to create something of an infinite loop and takes us to the start of the series which began as 2023’s Stubborn Imperial Stout; a 16.0 percent beer that's been ageing away with whisky for year.
From start to finish, it's a beer to enjoy slowly thanks to it's significant roasted side and thick, textural mouthfeel that's spurred on by the 16 percent hit of booze. Joining in are rich lashings of chocolate fudge, vanilla, molasses and burnt brown sugar to create the start of something new that's guaranteed to help you last through a High Country winter.*
Given the nature of the beers, there's onlny a very limited quantity available and only Bright will be selling them, with presales open at the time of writing.
And lastly, the beer’s artwork requires some attention too, with the look quite distinct from the rest of the Bright Brewery beers. Given the special place in the hearts of the collective Bright team, they wanted to really capture the moment and their region and so have featured a particularly stunning photo of Mount Buffalo that was captured by photographer Sam Walklate.
Will Ziebelll
*Not an actual guarantee - don't get lost bushwalking.
Published May 1, 2024 2024-05-01 00:00:00
