For fans of big, boozy, barrel-aged beers, here’s one that’s been quietly aging in the shadows—and now it’s finally ready to see the light. Carmilla is a limited-release barleywine from Wellspent Brewing Company in St. Louis, and it’s not your average strong ale. This one spent an impressive 25 months resting in a blend of Wild Turkey and Willett bourbon barrels, soaking up every bit of character from the oak and the whiskey.
At 11.7% ABV, Carmilla is a slow-sipper, layered with flavors of caramel, toffee, and dried fruit, plus warm vanilla and charred oak from the barrels. The long barrel rest also softens out the boozy edges, lending smooth oxidative notes—think fig jam, molasses, and a hint of tobacco.
For those who geek out about styles, Carmilla leans more toward the American barleywine tradition but with a clear nod to English influences. That means it’s less about aggressive hopping and more about showcasing deep malt complexity and barrel nuance. The base beer likely leans heavy on rich specialty malts—think Maris Otter, crystal, and dark caramel malts—giving it that signature chewy sweetness to stand up to two-plus years in oak.
This one isn’t for the faint of heart or the casual beer drinker. It’s a beer built for sipping slow, ideally on a chilly night when you’ve got nowhere to be.
Carmilla is available now in limited bottles at Wellspent’s brewery. As with any small-batch, barrel-aged beer, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Quick sip specs:
– Name: Carmilla
– Brewery: Wellspent Brewing Company, St. Louis, MO
– Style: Barrel-aged barleywine
– ABV: 11.7%
– Format: Bottles (limited release)
– Tasting notes: Caramel, dried fruit, bourbon warmth, vanilla, oak
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