Hellshire II Flavor Concerns

We regret to inform you that our recently released Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coffee, Hellshire II, has been found to contain some flavors that we did not intend. Through our own QC/QA program, we suspected there could be a problem. It has now been discovered through lab results conducted by our colleagues at Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland that this beer may contain lactobacillus. In most beers, this is known as a beer spoiler and can lead to acidic and tart flavors. As the brewmaster at Oakshire, I’m personally embarrassed and frustrated that we made a beer that got into your hands in a form other than we had intended. Know that we are doing everything we can to assure that this does not happen unintentionally to another beer we make at Oakshire.
We have great freedom in our specialty beer programs, which allow us to push the envelope of specialty beer production. However, there are risks associated with aging beers in barrels,and adding unique and interesting ingredients. That risk can result in great outcomes. With Hellshire II, the outcome does not represent the beer I intended.
Moving Forward
First, understand that lactobacillus is not harmful and many of our customers, both in person and in on-line reviews, have liked their bottle of beer. Although we are not happy with the flavor profileof this beer, we’re glad that you find the flavors unique and different. However, if you are not satisfied with your unopened bottle, we are going to make sure to compensate you for your trust in us. Below are choices:
1) Keep your bottle, but consider storing it cold so that it doesn’t build more acidity.
2) Bring your unopened bottle to us at the brewery during the next Hellshire release and give us another chance. We’ll swap it out.
3) Bring your unopened bottle to the tasting room during open hours and we will trade you for an equal dollar amount of our regular bottled beer.
4) Bring your unopened bottle to the tasting room during open hours and we will reimburse you for your purchase.
Don’t return it to your retailer, unless they have a policy of accepting returns with receipts. We will be working closely with our distribution network to return this beer to the brewery.
Please do not ship your bottle to the brewery, we cannot accept returns in this manner. If you are unable to bring it directly to the brewery, please have a friend bring it to us, and we will gladly reimburse them.
Again, I’d like to apologize to you for not meeting the mark we set at Oakshire in terms of quality and consistency. We’ve assessed the situation and are confident that we can avoid similar challenges in the future. Also, please be patient with us as we traverse through this first time situation and correct it.
Sincerely,
Matt Van Wyk, Brewmaster