Anchorage — A Deal With the Devil Batch 10 (2025)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Batch 10 of Anchorage’s cult Galaxy-hopped American Barleywine pours dense and viscous, releasing aromas of dark fruit, raisin, and toffee laced with bourbon, cognac, and freshly sawn oak. The palate is opulent and layered, weaving caramel, molasses, and bittersweet chocolate around vanilla pulled from charred staves. Stone fruit and brandied cherry emerge mid-sip, while warming alcohol carries the finish into territory both decadent and contemplative. Oak tannins frame a long, sticky finish marked by leather, vanilla bean, and lingering barrel spice, showcasing the meticulous extended aging that defines this revered annual release.

Food Pairing

Pair with a seared dry-aged ribeye finished with bone marrow butter, where the beer’s caramel and oak amplify the meat’s char. Alternatively, serve alongside an aged Stilton with toasted walnuts and fig jam, letting the barleywine’s dark fruit and bourbon warmth play against the cheese’s pungent richness.

About Anchorage Brewing Company

Anchorage Brewing Company was founded in 2010 in Anchorage, Alaska, by Gabe Fletcher, a brewer whose vision centered on creating innovative, barrel-aged beers that push the boundaries of traditional brewing. The brewery has earned recognition for its meticulous approach to wild and sour ales, often incorporating extended aging in oak barrels with complex blends of wild yeast strains and bacteria. Fletcher’s background includes experience at respected brewing institutions, and this expertise is evident in Anchorage’s commitment to patience and precision in the brewing process.

What distinguishes Anchorage Brewing is their dedication to small-batch production and an uncompromising focus on quality over quantity. The brewery specializes in Belgian-inspired styles, particularly saisons and strong ales, which undergo lengthy barrel aging periods that can extend for months or even years. Their beers frequently feature fruit additions and experimental techniques that reflect both European brewing traditions and a distinctly American craft sensibility. Anchorage has garnered numerous accolades within the craft beer community, establishing itself as one of the premier producers of barrel-aged and mixed-fermentation beers in the United States. The brewery’s limited production volumes and exceptional quality have made their releases highly sought after by enthusiasts.