Anchorage — Schwarzer V.1 Gold Wax Bourbon & Rye

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Schwarzer V.1 Gold Wax pours pitch black and pours decadently rich, walking the tightrope between imperial stout and barleywine. The nose unfurls layers of dark chocolate, toffee, and roasted malt, lifted by bourbon warmth and toasted oak. On the palate, dried fig and raisin meet caramel sweetness, while nineteen months in Willett rye and 1792 Calumet Farms bourbon barrels lend vanilla, spicy oak, and a gentle boozy embrace. The finish is long and contemplative, balancing residual sweetness with roast bitterness, a fitting tribute to bladesmith Steve Schwarzer’s craftsmanship.

Food Pairing

Pair with a seared ribeye topped with bone marrow butter, where the beer’s roasted depth and bourbon warmth amplify charred, savory richness. For dessert, try a dark chocolate flourless torte with candied figs, echoing the beer’s cocoa, dried fruit, and caramel notes while the oak-driven vanilla rounds every bite.

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.