The Rare Barrel is an American brewery based in Berkeley, California, that specializes exclusively in barrel-aged sour beers. Founded in 2013, it quickly established itself as a prominent and award-winning producer within the craft beer movement, significantly contributing to the popularization and understanding of sour ales in the United States.
History
The Rare Barrel was co-founded by Jay Goodwin, Alex Zobel, and Brad Odgers. Goodwin, who previously worked at The Bruery (another highly regarded sour beer producer known for its barrel-aging program), brought extensive experience in barrel-aging and sour beer production. The brewery's concept from its inception was to focus solely on sour beers, a distinct and niche approach at the time, differentiating itself from breweries that might produce a wide range of styles.The brewery opened its doors in Berkeley in 2013, quickly gaining critical acclaim and a dedicated following among craft beer enthusiasts. Its tasting room became a destination for those seeking unique and complex sour ales. Over the years, The Rare Barrel has expanded its distribution, initially through bottles and later incorporating cans, reaching a broader market beyond its immediate San Francisco Bay Area presence.
Brewing Philosophy
The Rare Barrel's core philosophy revolves around the art and science of barrel-aging. They utilize a vast collection of oak barrels—primarily used wine barrels—to house their beers for extended periods, often ranging from several months to several years. This process allows wild yeasts and bacteria (such as Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus) to impart complex tart, funky, and fruity characteristics that define their sour ales.Their beers are typically blended from multiple barrels to achieve a desired flavor profile and consistency. Ingredients often include various fruits (e.g., cherries, raspberries, apricots, pluots) and spices, which are added during or after the aging process to create diverse and nuanced offerings. The focus is on creating balanced sourness that complements the other flavor components.
Notable Beers and Styles
The Rare Barrel produces a wide array of sour beer styles, predominantly American Sours, often categorized by their fruit additions or specific aging processes. Some recurring and well-known examples include:- Golden Sours: Often form the base for many of their fruit-infused beers, showcasing a bright acidity and oak character. Examples include "Egregious," a golden sour aged in oak.
- Dark Sours: Less common but equally complex, offering deeper, maltier notes alongside the tartness. "Shadows of their Eyes" is a notable dark sour.
- Fruit-Infused Sours: Beers featuring significant additions of fruits like pluots, apricots, peaches, cherries, and raspberries, which ferment further in the barrels, adding layers of flavor and aroma. Examples include "Apropos of Nothing" (apricot sour) and "Maps to You" (raspberry sour).
Awards and Recognition
The Rare Barrel has received numerous accolades from prestigious competitions, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier sour beer producer. Notable awards include:- Great American Beer Festival (GABF): They have won multiple medals at GABF, including the highly coveted "Small Brewing Company of the Year" award in 2015, a significant achievement for a specialized brewery.
- World Beer Cup: Recognized with medals at this international competition, further establishing their global standing.
These awards highlight their consistent quality and innovative approach to sour beer production.