I’ve had a few people that are still on the lookout for O’Fallon’s Pappy Van Winkle Smoked Porter so I though I’d share an email Derrick Bean from O’Fallon sent over to me.

Just an FYI, I have noticed a few places so far this week who still have some Pappy Van Winkle Whiskey Smoked Porter left on their shelves:
Hampton House of Liquors–12 Bottles
Dierbergs Brentwood–4 bottles

In addition, Randall’s in Fairview, Corral in Granite City and Plaza Liquors in O’Fallon, Illinois won’t be getting their cases until sometime this week

Also, the 4 Friar Tuck stores in Champaign, Bloomington, Peoria and Springfield, Illinois should all be getting theirs next Tuesday.

Lastly, the local Friar Tuck store opening in Crestwood will have 1 case to sell once they open in a couple of weeks.

I was also told by Andy Sneed from Whole Foods, that they will begin selling it on May 5th, so that’s another place you can check. We have a thread in the forum devoted to where you can find this beer.  Pop on over and check it out.

Don’t you absolutely adore alliteration? Anyway, Tuesday night was the release of O’Fallon Brewery’s newest beer, Pappy Van Winkle Smoked Porter. Riddle’s Penultimate celebrated the event by purchasing the only keg of the beer. Bill Burge, his lovely wife Ellie, and Mike Leahy joined me for a taste of the draught Pappy Porter on Tuesday evening. I don’t think there was a disappointed one of us, the beer smells of a deep bourbon with a lot of vanilla. In fact, I thought it had so much vanilla nose, that it reminded me a bit of cake batter.

While the price is a bit high ($12 for an 8oz pour?!) this is something to partake while you still have the chance.

I’ve been told that the Wine and Cheese Place in Rock Hill and Provisions Gourmet Market received their allocations of the O’Fallon Pappy van Winkle Smoked Porter. This is a very limited release (and my guess is that this is a one time only thing.) So make sure to check your local store for availability and buy it as soon as possible. Also, I’ll be at tonight’s release party at Riddle’s Penultimate, hope to see you there.

Edit:  Here’s a photo of the bottle of Pappy van Winkle Smoked Porter.  Thanks for Scotty P for providing it!

Longest title ever? I actually had to shorten it (twice). Anyway, to celebrate the release of O’Fallon Brewery’s newest (and possibly single edition) beer, the Pappy van Winkle Barrel Aged Smoked Porter, Riddle’s Penultimate will be holding a release party on April 22nd starting at 6PM. If you’re not aware of the PvW Smoked Porter, Andy Ayers of Riddle’s explains it better than I ever could:

The crew at O’Fallon Brewery had been experimenting with aging that award-winning Smoked Porter in used bourbon barrels, and they liked the results real well but the latest batch was something else again. That’s why Tony called me.The O’Fallon team didn’t realize what they had until they ran down the federal I.D. numbers on their most recently acquired whiskey barrels. By sheer good fortune, the O’Fallon Smoked Porter was resting in charred, white oak barrels that had, for the previous one score and three, been home to the only 23-year Kentucky Bourbon sold today, Pappy van Winkle’s Family Reserve, something like the Holy Grail to bourbon connoisseurs which, if you can find one of the 3,000 bottles released last year, can cost almost $400.

Pretty neat stuff, eh? Well it gets even cooler. O’Fallon only received four of these barrels which will yield about 75 cases and one half-barrel. Well Riddle’s purchased that half-barrel and will begin serving it during the release party next weekend. As soon as that barrel is gone, that’s probably the last chance you’ll have to try this very special beer.

Ok, so yesterday’s post was completely terrible. From messing up twice on the type of bourbon barrels to doubting it would see store shelves this week. Sorry about that, should have checked with people in the know before spouting off. Oh well, onward and upward.

According to Derek Bean, the sales manager for O’Fallon, the bulk of the 31 cases should be hitting store shelves today. So I’d contact your local retailer to see if it’s available to pick up today. If the frenzy for Hopslam was any barometer, this one is sure to go fast as well.

Dave Johnson from O’Fallon Brewery posted that they’re going to begin bottling the Whiskey Barrel Smoked Porter. What’s especially exciting about this news is that if you read Sara White’s recent article about aging beer in bourbon barrels in Sauce Magazine you’ll know that this batch was aged in 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve bourbon barrels. Turns out this isn’t the batch that was aged in the 23 year old barrels, this is just the normal Jim Beam Buffalo Trace barrels. Sorry about that, it’s still exciting stuff though.

Dave is hoping that this will start going out to stores by Friday, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. As soon as it’s out I’ll be certain to let everyone know.

_{Thanks to Sam for the tip.}

Been a very busy week around here at STL Hops. Plenty of really interesting developments, I’ve got a lot planned for next week as well, so stay tuned. On to the Round-Up:

Stuff from around the web

• Ian alerted all of us to the opening of a second Tin Can Tavern location. If you didn’t see it, here’s my review of the original.
• Anheuser-Busch is shipping more beer to wholesalers.
• Jeannette is ready for Cabin Fever!
• Joe Bonwich visits the Newstead Tower Public House.
• Year of Beer blog also recently had the Smoked Porter from Schlafly.

Beer Releases and News

• Andrew from Bon Vivant Wines informs me to some new beers he has in his stock:
  • Brasserie Dupont - Avec Les Bon Voeux
  • Avery Brewing Company - The Czar
• Paul at The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to some new beers he has in stock:
  • Anheuser Busch - Wild Blue Blueberry Lager
  • Anheuser Busch - Shock Top Belgian White

Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:

• Jan 16 - O’Fallon Beer Dinner at Newstead Tower Pub
• Jan 19 - Cabin Fever: Schlafly Winter Beer Festival
• Jan 19 - Beer Tasting at Rendezvous Cafe & Wine Bar
• Feb 29 - New Belgium Beer Dinner at Whole Foods

As always, if you’re interested in promoting an event or a new beer you’ve seen, feel free to drop me a line at mike@stlhops.com.

schlafly.jpg”>Had a chance to try a style from Schlafly I’ve never had from them before last night, the Smoked Porter. I was very impressed with the beer, it has a more subtle smoked flavor than a lot of other smoked beers that I had.

This beer is very well balanced and that leads to it being very drinkable. I think you’ll find that you could drink a few of these without the smoke causing too much palate fatigue. Head on down there and give it a try.