PintJockeys

Cheers to our long-awaited friend!

We think it’s safe to say that few brewers create excitement around their beer releases quite like Houston’s Saint Arnold Brewing company. Especially when it comes to the Divine Reserve series. As you already know, Saint Arnold’s Divine Reserve 12, the latest in the brewer’s coveted series (and first in almost a year and a half!), began hitting stores and bars across Texas yesterday and is already flying off shelves.  Perhaps you’re even among the many daring fans who scoured local grocery and liquor stores in hopes of snatching up a bomber or six-pack from the first shipment.

Haven’t had any luck just yet? Worry not; according to Saint Arnold, it may be the end of the week before every store and bar gets their allotment of this divine booty, so be patient if you’re unable to find it immediately. Are you on social media? Peruse the #DR12 hashtag on Twitter to see where fellow fans have struck gold and where they’ve struck out in their search for the ale.

For those unfamiliar with the craft brew making Texans hysterical with excitement, DR12 is an Old Ale inspired by David Rogers’ victorious entry in the 2011 Big Batch Brew Bash, which YOU, my friend, must age. Saint Arnold recommends aging the beer in cold temperatures for at least a year (that is, if you can wait that long), allowing the alcohol to oxidize and create the sherry and spicy malt and hop flavors that will round out the beer. When you’re finally ready to drink up, let DR12 warm to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, for all of the flavors to emerge. And don’t forget to decant the beer as you pour. Got all that?  The results of your careful waiting should be a spicy, malty beginning that smoothes into a creamy middle and a warming finish.

Can’t wait that long? Word on the street is the brew, which boasts an ABV of 10%, is delicious enough as-is.  Ronnie Crocker calls the brew “smooth” and “deceptively sweet” adding it’s “not the least bit cloying, with no perfumey aftertaste.“

If you were able to snag a 6-pack or bomber, show off your find on our Facebook page! And if you’re like us and couldn’t wait a year to pop a top, let us know what you think of Divine Reserve 12 in the comments below!

Cheers, Pint Jockeys!