Portland, Oregon’s Migration Brewing has two new specialty and limited-edition bottle releases hitting the market in two styles beloved by the niche beer nerd audience. Salty Mule Gose is a pinkish hibiscus, lime, and ginger Gose-style of German/Austrian sour that was created for the SheBrew Festival by brewer Teryn Zirk, and is available now (more info below). Maple Coronet Barleywine is the latest from their burgeoning Migrator barrel-aged series, an American Barleywine with maple that will knock your socks off in 500ml bottles available at the brewery’s 4 locations.

For the Maple Coronet barley wine the brewery partnered up with Glenna Farms out of Amery, Wisconsin to secure the organic maple syrup. Glenna Farms was established in 1995 when Rick and Kristine Glenna purchased an 80-acre maple syrup operation from Arthur V. Olson. The century old sugar bush is located next to a dairy farm, was well known for producing one of nature’s finest sweeteners, pure maple syrup.

The barleywine was then aged for six months on Heaven Hill bourbon barrels; the rich, decadent beer was released on March 3rd and will be available in 500ml bottles at local specialty shops around the Portland metro area.  The beer will also be available on draft and in bottles at all Migration pubs.      

“We were super stoked to work with Glenna Farms on this project.  They produce some of the finest organic syrup in Wisconsin and the bourbon barrels are exceptional,” said Mike Branes, Co-Founder and Head Brewer at Migration Brewing. “We’ve been pushing the brewery team to work with a wide variety of ingredients and this beer really came together over a ton of excitement to approach a classic American barley wine differently,” notes Branes.

The Maple Coronet barley wine is brewed to be a complex, and slightly sweet early springtime treat.  Coming in at 11% ABV the beer is crafted on a foundation of fine English Maris Otter malt which brings a nutty richness and full roundness to the beer. Three different types of caramel malts exhibit toffee and tones of cherry, plum and raisin.  Maple syrup was added during the run-off of the wort, as well as during fermentation, to provide extra sugars. The maple sweetness is not overpowering and integrates into the beer without being cloyingly sweet. 

Salty Mule Gose was brewed in collaboration with the 2023 SheBrew PDX festival. This unique seasonal beer was brewed by Teryn Zirk and the strong women of Migration.  SheBrew is an annual event that celebrates female brewers, cider & mead makers, both amateur and professional that took place on March 5th.

In the spirit of celebrating Women’s History Month, Teryn led a crew of female team members in creating this limited release Gose. Employees named the beer, were on site for the brew and the label was designed by former bartender Lillian Merrill.  “SheBrew is an awesome opportunity to have women from across the company in the brewery and have them get involved in the creative process,” shares Migration’s Brewer, Teryn Zirk. 

The Salty Mule Gose is 4.7% ABV and highlights fresh hibiscus, lime, and ginger. It’s pale pink in color from the addition of fresh Jamaica (hibiscus) being steeped during the whirlpool process. The lightly salted Gose has a pleasant balance of candied ginger and tart acidity.  Aromas of lime zest and citrus are displayed perfectly in this classic German wheat style sour ale.   The Salty Mule will be available on draft and in 500ml bottles at all Migration locations for a limited time.