Fermentation Factoids: Fort Collins blends three brews into Oud Bruin

Fort Collins Brewery (FCB) will release on draft at the Modern Tavern, Belgian-Style Oud Bruin, the third limited edition brew from FCB’s signature Savor Series line. The small batch creation will also be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans throughout FCB’s distribution footprint in the following weeks.

At 7.0 percent ABV, the Belgian-Style Oud Bruin includes a blend of fresh and aged ale.

“Oud Bruin incorporates three different beers at different stages, one that has been soured for 21 months in barrels, another that’s been souring for a year and one that has aged six months but without souring agents,” said FCB Brewer Taylor Krantz. “The six-month fresh ale balances the sourness from the aged batches. The result of the blended trio is a harmonious meld of flavors that creates a complex sipping beer.”

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In addition, Fort Collins Brewery has reserved a portion of the beer and will continue to add fresh ale to the aged beers to replenish the batch, making Oud Bruin the beer that keeps on giving.

“A fun fact about this style of beer is that for all future releases, there will always be some portion of original beer in it,” said Krantz.

While most beers are best enjoyed fresh, the Savor Series is a line where vertical tasting and cellaring is encouraged. In order to extend the shelf life of Oud Bruin, the beer will be can conditioned in a temperature controlled facility allowing for flavor characteristics to evolve and take shape.

“During this process, a secondary fermentation will take place in which yeast will consume any oxygen carried over from the packaging process,” said FCB Operations Manager Thomas Barnett. “The final product will be a virtually oxygen-free, naturally carbonated beer that will cellar exceptionally well.”

Wait, there’s more! To celebrate the long awaited release of Oud Bruin, the Modern Tavern at FCB will host an “Art of Aging” beer dinner on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. The three-course dinner will be paired with aged craft beer proving that all good things are worth the wait.