Hair of the Dog Brewing Cask Finished Collection of Single Malt Whiskey and Gin
Portland, Oregon’s now closed Hair of the Dog Brewing keeps finding new lives, not only is Labyrinth Forge Brewing set to reopen their space, but Copperworks Distilling Co. is releasing cask finished Single Malt Whiskey and Cask Finished Gin both from repurposed Hair of the Dog Brewing oak barrels. In total, two variations of each spirit, a collection of 4 different HOTD cask finished spirits in total. All 4 will be released on National Beer Day (Friday, April 7, 2023) at a special release party at one of Seattle's top craft beer destinations, Brouwer's Café.
Founded by craft brewers Micah Nutt and Jason Parker (the first brewer back in 1989 at the renowned Pike Brewing Company), Copperworks was built to answer the question, "How would spirits taste if they were distilled from superior craft beer (without the hops) instead of the typical methods of ingredients of conventional distilleries?"
The answer led Copperworks to become a pioneer in producing American Single Malt Whiskey and earn the title of Distillery of the Year in 2018 from the American Distilling Institute. Today, Copperworks remains guided by its founding principle: "From great brewing comes great spirits."
Hair of the Dog Brewing Cask Finished Collection
In early 2022 after nearly 30 years in business, the legendary Portland brewery, Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, announced its closure. Brouwer's Café Manager Nat Pellman and long-time industry friend of Jason Parker heard that Hair of the Dog had casks available.
"I cast a wide net to see who was interested in using them and Jason responded that he wanted them for Copperworks," said Pellman. "We were thrilled as Brouwer's is a beer-centric destination that has been a supporter of Hair of the Dog for many years and we’ve collaborated with Jason previously, so hosting the cask collection release event here at Brouwer’s is really a full circle moment."
"Hair of the Dog was known for creative, richly flavored brews and was barrel aging beers long before it was cool," said Jason Parker, co-owner and president of Copperworks Distilling Co. "When we learned they were shutting down, we knew it was our first (and likely last) chance to acquire casks from this renowned pioneer in craft beer. Considering our origins as brewers, we knew we couldn't miss out on the opportunity."
"This special cask collection celebrates the possibilities of flavor when craft brewing and distilling come together," said Jeff Kanof, co-owner and vice president of Copperworks Distilling Co. "It features two single-cask American Single Malt whiskeys and two cask-finished gins. Each product was finished in a cask previously used by Hair of the Dog Brewing."
Copperworks received four casks to create this collection: two casks that previously aged Hair of the Dog's "Matt" ale, and two casks that previously aged Hair of the Dog's "Adam" ale. The spirits in this collection were named after these beers, respectively.
"Matt" and "Adam" American Single Malt Whiskeys
These two whiskeys share the same beginning. Both were crafted from a single variety of barley called Genie, grown on a single farm in Athena, Oregon. They matured for 3 years and 3 months in new American Oak casks from Canton Cooperage with char #2 and 36-month seasoned staves. Then, their journeys diverged as they entered casks previously used by Hair of the Dog.
“Adam” American Single Malt Whiskey
253 bottles produced (750ml)
50% ABV (100 Proof)
$89.99 (+ tax and shipping)
Finished for an additional 8 months in a bourbon cask that previously held Hair of the Dog’s Adam ale.
Tasting Notes: A summer’s day greets you on the nose with bright citrus, confectioners’ sugar, pine, and strawberry. This lends an effervescent quality to the palate with more citrus and cinnamon, accompanied by a malty sweetness with spice and chocolate lava cake dancing around the edges. Finishing bright and long with spice, vanilla, candied orange peel, and apple tart making an appearance.
HOTD’s original beer “Adam” was the first beer produced by Hair of the Dog Founder Alan Sprints. The name has two references: 1) a nod to Adam and Eve (first creation) and 2) a nod to Adambier, an old-world style of beer. The story goes that renowned beer writer Fred Eckhardt gave Sprints the ancient recipe for Dortmunder "adambier." Thus, the name and the beer were born.
"Matt" American Single Malt Whiskey
179 bottles produced (750ml)
50% ABV (100 Proof)
$89.99 (+ tax and shipping)
Finished for an additional 8 months in a bourbon cask that previously held Hair of the Dog’s Matt American Strong ale.
Tasting Notes: Maraschino cherry, plum, raisin, and chocolate malt balls are the main feature on the nose, with later appearances of citrus and milk chocolate. Warming on the palate, these notes remain present yet drip with vanilla and caramel. The finish is luscious with oak, spice, and some citrus joining the party.
HOTD’s original beer "Matt" was crafted for the tenth anniversary of craft beer shop Bottleworks in 2009 and named after two Matts-- Bottleworks and Brouwer's Owner Matt Vandenberghe and thelate Matt Bonney (early employee of Bottleworks and well-known in the beer community.)
"Matt" and "Adam" Cask Finished Gins
These casks finished gins are as distinct as they are delicious. They share the same base: Copperworks Small Batch Gin, their ten-botanical recipe. Each gin was entered into a cask previously used by Hair of the Dog, mirroring the journey of their whiskey counterparts.
"Matt" Cask Finished Gin
319 bottles produced (750ml)
50% ABV (100 Proof)
$49.95 (+ tax and shipping)
Finished for 8 months in a sherry cask that previously held Hair of the Dog’s Matt American Strong ale.
Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder surprises and delights on the nose with dark chocolate, pine, and mint intermingling. Sweet citrus is abundant on the palate, along with yuzu and creamsicle while vanilla, white pepper, and a touch of grape pomace balance the sweetness. The finish is melted vanilla ice cream with a touch of chinotto and mint.
"Adam" Cask Finished Gin
198 bottles produced (750ml)
47.05% ABV (94.1 Proof)
$49.95 (+ tax and shipping)
Finished for 8 months in a bourbon cask that previously held Hair of the Dog’s Adam ale.
Tasting Notes: Bright and fresh like a spring day, the nose offers notes of sugared ruby red grapefruit, kumquat, tart cherries, and cinnamon. The palate follows with freshly smashed chocolate orange accompanied by monkey bread, tangerine, cotton candy, and sage, all supported by the small batch gin base. Rounding out the experience are hints of sugar cane, cherry pie filling, sarsaparilla, and spice.
AVAILABILITY
Beginning April 7, 2023, the Hair of the Dog Brewing Cask Finished Collection will be available exclusively at Copperworks' Seattle Distillery and Tasting Room and its online store starting April 7th. To purchase, visit: https://store.copperworksdistilling.com/collections/spirits.
RELEASE PARTY
Friday, April 7, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Brouwer’s Café, 400 N 35th St. Seattle. WA 98103
Sample the Hair of the Dog Brewing Cask Finished Collection | Meet Copperworks' Co-Founder, Co-Owner, and President Jason Parker, Head Distiller Thomas Paessler, and Distiller Matt "Skinny" Roberts.
Brouwer's will also have Hair of the Dog's 2019 "Matt Ale" on draft + "Adam Ale" and other Hair of the Dog products in bottles available for purchase - a perfect complement to the new cask collection!
EARLY ACCESS!
For those who wish to purchase this special cask collection before release day on April 7, become a Copperworks' First Cut 2023 member for early access to this new collection, plus all special releases in 2023. More information here.