Bearded Iris Third Anniversary Release Parade

My good friend Trev was kind enough to toss me a can from three new releases for Bearded Iris’ third birthday. I could not attend, but I could still taste some beers destined to sell out in a few short Saturday hours. As he predicted, the Pappy Van Winkle barrels sitting in their brewhouse were finally emptied and their contents bottled, although I was more interested in the barleywine than the stout, the only one I did not chase.

Joy Ride 
Feb. 13, 2019
This could be the Homestyle variation of my dreams. While I enjoy BI’s flagship oated IPA with Mosaic hops, Joy Ride swaps the mosaic for three rounds of Nelson Sauvin, the majestic New Zealand native that ranks of my all-time favorite hops. I relish its grassy, slightly spicy bite that almost turns crunchy at times. I taste sharp lines of lemon and herbs like parsley and thyme. There is no physical hop in the beer, but Joy Ride has a wonderful texture. It’s cloudy orange and eminently approachable. At 6 percent, Joy Ride is nearly a session IPA these days. I can only hope that this brew can join BI’s rotation of can releases. Nelson Sauvin needs wider exposure. Joy Ride also opens the door for single-hop variations on Homestyle with other hops, which would be enticing to us regulars.

Update: Despite the taproom bartender telling me they were down to two cases, my evening employer received two cases for the shelves. I bought the last four-pack and have been enjoying it regularly into March.


Triple Homestyle 
Feb. 20, 2019
Brewing a bigger, stiffer version of a flagship beer often falls flat. BI already sells Double Homestyle, so Triple Homestyle clocking in at 10 percent ABV has the potential for excess. I should not have worried. There’s a ton of Mosaic hops, complemented as always buy oats in the malt. It’s grassy as Mosaic should be but completely masks its high ABV with a brilliant, punchy orange bitterness. Many notes of lemon zest that don’t overstay their welcome. This is a beautiful high-octane IPA, reminding me of Cool Springs Brewery’s late Hoppy Balboa.

Flamingo Road Sour 
March 13, 2019
Bearded Iris finally branched into sour beers, and they definitely took their time to do a proper sour. If Hawaiian Punch were turned into a sour beer, it would taste akin to Flamingo Road. BI’s first stab at a sour hits all the marks. They use a mix of raspberries and strawberries plus lactose to smooth it out, although there is an assertive pucker behind the fruit. There is a balanced intensity from the fruit and the sour flavors, as if they’re pushing into each other and neither gains an advantage. I could almost gulp this sour down, something I find difficult to do with any beer of this tartness. But this one works. Knowing BIBCO, this won’t be the last drive down Flamingo Road or sour beers.

One Man Band (Barleywine aged in wheated bourbon barrels)
To be reviewed at a later date …. On what should be a momentous evening.