Anchorage — Schwarzer White v.2 (2023)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Schwarzer White v.2 walks the razor’s edge between imperial stout and barleywine, pouring with deep, brooding intensity. The nose unfurls layers of roasted malt, dark chocolate, and toasted coconut, woven through with bourbon, vanilla, and warm oak. On the palate, dense fig and raisin meet caramel sweetness, while Willett rye and 1792 Calumet Farms bourbon barrels lend spice, coconut husk, and a long vanilla-laced finish. Boozy warmth lingers without aggression, the coconut adjunct lifting the richness into something tropical, decadent, and contemplative. A monumental sipper built for slow appreciation.

Food Pairing

Pair with a flourless dark chocolate torte topped with toasted coconut shavings to mirror the beer’s adjuncts and roasted depth. Alternatively, serve alongside a wedge of aged blue cheese with fig jam and walnuts, where the salty funk and sweet fruit echo the raisin, caramel, and bourbon-soaked complexity of the ale.

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.