Our very first single malt private barrel selection…

Colonial Spirits proudly announces our very first  single malt private barrel selection…

Introducing Colonial Spirits’ first Single Malt Whisky private barrel… The independent barrel for independent retailers is a unique collaboration between like-minded retailers, who also happen to be Scotch enthusiasts.

Choosing special barrels to be bottled for Colonial Spirits is a privilege we’ve had before with several Bourbon distillers.  Selecting a Scotch whisky cask is a little more involved however.  By working with Scotland’s smallest independent distillery (also one of the best) as well as a few qualified independent retailers, we had the opportunity to purchase an extremely valuable sherry cask – to be bottled for our stores. Continue reading Our very first single malt private barrel selection…

Sierra Nevada Recall

Sierra Nevada is having a recall on most of their packages due to a bottle flaw that might lead to glass in the beer.  We are checking all our cases, but please look at dates on any Sierra Nevada you might have at home.  If you find that you have beer that is part of the recall window, please bring your beer back to the store and we will swap it out for you.

Bad batches are bottled from 12/5/16-1/13/17 and have an “M” after the date.

Following is the statement from Sierra Nevada.

“SIERRA NEVADA UNDERSCORES ITS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY – REPLACES SELECT BEER ON STORE SHELVES

Voluntary recall for select Sierra Nevada beer including Beer Camp Golden IPA, Pale Ale, Sidecar Orange Pale Ale, Tropical Torpedo, Nooner, Hop Hunter, Otra Vez and Torpedo Extra IPA in 12-ounce bottles

Chico, CA—January 22, 2017—Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. today announced a voluntary recall of select 12-ounce bottles that may contain a glass packaging flaw. This recall comes after quality inspections at the company’s Mills River, North Carolina, brewery detected a very limited number of bottles with a flaw that may cause a small piece of glass to break off and possibly fall into the bottle, creating a risk for injury. The recall applies to product purchased in the Midwest, Southern and East Coast states listed below.

“While we believe this concern impacts roughly 1 in every 10,000 (0.01%) of our bottles packaged during this time,” says Mike Bennett, Chief Supply Chain Officer, “Sierra Nevada has set the standard for quality in the craft brewing industry since 1980 and we have decided to take this precaution to ensure the safety of our consumers. To date, we have not received any consumer reports of injuries resulting from the potentially affected bottles and we are working with our supplier to determine the root cause of the issue.”

The beer affected by this recall includes those brands listed below with a packaging date that falls within the range with a code of “M” (Mills River) and not “C” (Chico), which is all information that can be found printed on the packaging or shoulder of the bottle:

  • Pale Ale 12-ounce bottles in 6-, 12- and 24-pack (cases) packaged 12/5/16-1/8/17
  • Beer Camp Golden IPA 12-ounce bottles in 6- and 12-pack (cases) packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Sidecar Orange Pale Ale 12-ounce bottles in 6- and 12-pack (cases) packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Torpedo Extra IPA 12-ounce bottles in 6- and 12-pack (cases) packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Tropical Torpedo 12-ounce bottles in 6-packs packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Nooner 12-ounce bottles in 6-packs packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Hop Hunter 12-ounce bottles in 6- and 12-pack (cases) packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17
  • Otra Vez 12-ounce bottles in 6-packs packaged 12/5/16-1/13/17

The recall applies to product purchased in the following Midwest, Southern and East Coast states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Sierra Nevada has stopped distributing all affected beer. The company is actively working with distributor and retail partners to remove this beer from retail shelves and hold any further shipments. Consumers who have purchased beer within the scope of this recall will be eligible for full compensation of the purchase price and are advised not to drink it and to dispose of the beer. A website has been set up for updates on the recall and to report purchase at sierranevada.com/qualitymatters.

No other Sierra Nevada products are affected by this recall.”

Colonial Spirits’ Hand-Picked Single Barrel Bourbon(s)

Hand-Picked Single Barrel Bourbon
Hand-Picked Single Barrel Bourbon
Colonial’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Bourbons are all the rage these days, especially Single Barrel Bourbon. These unique offerings are hyper-focused on nuances that barrels impart. Each barrel has its own unique characteristic that is conveyed in the Bourbon which is why most bottles have batch and barrel numbers printed on them. Barrels are a great tool as they can mask flaws, soften “hot” mashes, and sweeten when necessary. That is why in the right hands, Single Barrel Bourbon can be unforgettable.

We take joy and pride in picking out Single Barrel Bourbon because it gives us an opportunity to showcase our palate. Picking a single barrel allows us to develop a house style. What is our house style? Balance. Looking to strike a balance between flavor, body, and ABV all of our picks do just that in their own right.

1) Colonial Spirits’ Single Barrel Bourbon – Weller Antique 107*

-SOLD OUT- This high wheat mash Bourbon is an under-the-radar favorite among Bourbon enthusiasts. Having a similar DNA to its cousin (PVW), this gem has the body and flavor to compete with the best. Some may call this too hot (107 proof), but if anything we think it is just right. Our pick tends to put emphasize on the oak influence as it helps dampen some of the heat it carries.

2) Colonial Spirits’ Single Barrel Bourbon – Journeyman ‘Featherbone’

-Limited Availability- A mash consisted of corn, wheat, barley, and rye, the Featherbone Bourbon is balanced from the get-go. Journeyman is said to be too balanced, soft even, this is why our single barrel has a hint more barrel influence. This adds additional depth through added layers of flavors. If that wasn’t enough, we ask Journeyman to bottle our Bourbon at barrel proof. Just one more step we take to create a multifaceted and beautiful bottle.

3) Colonial Spirits’ Single Barrel Bourbon – Eagle Rare 10yr

Eagle Rare 10yr is unique because every bottle is from a single barrel instead of being blended. This sets them apart because with each new barrel the whiskey changes. Some like this concept, others, however, have had a hard time wrapping their minds around it. Luckily for everyone, you can count on our selection to be consistent barrel after barrel. Our Eagle Rare 10yr barrel arrived a week ago, but that doesn’t mean you should put off getting a bottle.

If you would like to make a purchase Click Here. In the “Notes Section” specify you want the Colonial Spirits Single Barrel.

4) Colonial Spirits’ Single Barrel Boubon – 1792 Small Batch

The “high rye” 1792 can seem a bit light and spicy for some, but taste is personal. For those that find it a bit light, come and try our barrel because we got it right. The balance of spicy and sweet notes, alongside a medium frame and a drier finish makes this a Bourbon for the Scotch Whisky drinker.  Or if you are looking for a break from the over-oaked Bourbons that are flooding the shelves, this is it.

As the days get shorter and colder and as Thanksgiving and Christmas near us, we find ourselves looking to stay warm both inside and outside. There are few drinks that do that as well as Bourbon. And if you are planning on purchasing one, why not guarantee yourself a knockout. All of these are just that.

The Event of the Season: Goose Island Bourbon County Black Friday Release

Goose Island Bourbon County

For the third year in a row, we will be hosting the Goose Island Bourbon County Black Friday release.  This was a huge success last year and the year before so why change something that ain’t broke.

Goose Island Bourbon CountyHere is how the release will work for the Goose Island Bourbon County.  We will be opening our doors at 9am on Friday, November 24th.  Once the doors open, we will be funneling people into our tasting room. We will have a one bottle limit on the variants and a 3 case limit on the Brand Stout. There will be plenty of the Brand Stout to go around, but the variants will be in short supply per usual. So, if you are looking to get your hands on some of the variants arrive early. That is the basic breakdown.

Additionally, three lucky customers will be fortunate enough to not have to wait in line. You read that right. By purchasing a raffle ticket(s) your name will be entered in the raffle for the chance to win the opportunity to purchase the full allotment without having to wait in line. The allotment will be reserved and may be purchased at a later time within 30 days of Friday, Nov 24, 2017, if not the allotment will be placed in open inventory. No limits on the number of tickets and all proceeds will go to the Acton Food Pantry. Tickets may be purchased HERE or in-store at the register.

This has become an annual event and each year has seen the interest and reception of these beers grow. If you haven’t tried them you should.

See everyone there.

New Colonial Crier December Issue, Available Today!

Colonial Crier Dec 15

Colonial Crier Dec 15At Colonial Spirits of Acton we are proud of the wealth of knowledge that our staff provides, and we are always looking for ways to share our collective knowledge with our customers to enhance their shopping and drinking experience. Among the many vehicles we use to reach out to and connect with our highly-valued customers is our periodic magazines.

Unlike some retail magazines, ours are much more than just a collection of glorified advertisements. Make no mistake, you will find a number of killer deals embedded within its pages, but our magazines are not “advertisements,” as the focus of our magazines is education. We want to help educate you to make better, more pleasurable, beer, liquor & wine buying decisions, and our magazines do just that.

We enjoy putting our magazines together and they have always been a big hit with our customers. Which is why we’re excited to announce…THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE COLONIAL CRIER MAGAZINE FROM COLONIAL SPIRITS OF ACTON IS AVAILABLE IN STORE TODAY! Continue reading New Colonial Crier December Issue, Available Today!

Nashoba Brook Bakery Fresh Bread and Hand Selected Wine

Bread and Wine

At Colonial Spirits of Acton, there is nothing more important to us than our customers.  We are lucky to have a good base of customers who we really like, and we like to think that they like us quite a bit too.

Beyond our customers, we are lucky to be part of a great community of businesses in and surrounding Acton, MA.  We are always looking to partner with these other local businesses to increase their reach and enrich our own customers’ lives.

In that spirit, we at Colonial Spirits of Acton would like to announce a new partnership with Nashoba Brook Bakery of Concord, MA… FRESH BAKERY BREAD FROM NASHOBA BROOK BAKERY PAIRED WITH HAND SELECTED WINE NOW AVAILABLE AT COLONIAL SPIRITS OF ACTON! Continue reading Nashoba Brook Bakery Fresh Bread and Hand Selected Wine