The traditional 14th anniversary gift is ivory. Two things about ivory you should know is that it’s remarkably cruel to animals and impossible to drink. Barleywines, on the other hand, are perfect for sipping and do zero harm to elephants.
Fourteen, Surly’s 14th anniversary beer, is just such a beer.
We aged this massive barleywine for roughly ten months in Parker’s Heritage Wheat Whiskey barrels and orphan spirit barrels from Tattersall. Parker’s Heritage crafts some of the most prestigious whiskey in the United States, and Surly acquired the entire run of barrels from their 2020 wheat whiskey in order to age Fourteen. The Tattersall orphan barrels included some Barreled Rum and other spirits, adding to the beer’s complexity.
The beer itself is a hybrid between the American (hoppy) and English-style barleywine. It has a nice, dry backbone but a lighter hop presence, making Fourteen a prime candidate for aging. The substantial dry body also keeps it from getting overly sweet as the months/years roll on.
The whiskey barrels leaven Fourteen with strong coconut/honey/vanilla notes, with the orphan barrels adding a distinct burnt sugar note along with a good bit of funk, not dissimilar to a Manhattan or a Hanky Panky cocktail.
As with 13 and Culture Collab, you can find Fourteen in a single boxed 16 oz. can. The box/can art depicts Cernunnos, a horned Celtic god and master of wild places and things. Cernunnos commanded predator and prey to make peace, bringing his dominion into balance. Barleywines suffer when they fall out of balance. Fourteen brings a full malt body, pleasing dryness, and barrel character together without tilting into bitterness or booziness. These competing, often divergent aspects all break bread and find favor in Fourteen. Celebrate this balance now and in the years ahead.The particulars:
Hops: Warrior, Amarillo
Yeast: English Ale
Malt: 2-Row, Wheat Malt, Flaked Wheat, Honey Malt, Acidulated Malt, Carafoam
Color: Amber
ABV: 11%
Bitterness: Moderate
Fourteen is now available to all Surly markets.
