Jackie O’s Champion Ground (2022)
Around Jackie O’s brewery, they listen to a lot of reggae, drink quite a bit of coffee and are dedicated to their barrel aging program. In 2015, they had a one-off Imperial Stout that was aged in barrels for nearly a year. These barrels had a rich chocolate and vanilla character, but needed a boost. Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, of Columbus, Ohio, has roasted the perfect on authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans to complement this barrel-aged Stout. The Double Imperial Stout: Champions Ground was born! The illustration on the label is of Charlie Ace’s Swing-a-ling mobile record hut that was notorious for broadcasting the “Champion Sound!”
Imperial Stout
The Imperial Stout is the strongest in alcohol and body of the stout beer variety. Black in color, a typical extremely malty taste/smell with a full and sweet malty character…. The bitterness comes from the roasted malts and hop additions.
Barrel Aged
This means that the beer in question has been put into used or unused wooden barrels to age for an extended period of time. The barrels were previously mostly used to age spirits. The aromas and flavors of the spirits and wood will soak into the beer, creating complex flavor palettes. Examples of spirit drinks commonly used are: Whiskey, Bourbon, Congac, Tequila but wines and port are also frequently used to age beer. Sometimes unused barrels are also used to get the wood tones of the barrel into the beer in particular. Oak is a well-known example of this.
Jackyo’s Brewery
Jackyo’s Brewery is a Brewery located in Athens (Ohio, USA) and was founded in 2005. Jackyo’s Brewery specializes in brewing techniques that revive traditional methods combined with contemporary influences and elements.
“We strive to brew one of the most diverse beer portfolios in the country, with a detailed and unique focus on barrel & wood aged beers, wild ales, and blending.”
