Something’s brrr-rewing

He and his wife, Carmen, introduced the company’s first beer in July 2009. Mustang now makes five different beers, including seasonals, but its move to low-point is intended to get the name and product to a larger consumer base.

“Beer is not an elitist drink,” Schoelen said. “We’ve said from the beginning that everyone deserves a good beer, and these new lines make good beers available to more beer lovers.”

Schoelen said he’s not too concerned about the product being watered down or too thin with the move to low-point.

“It’s a difference of about 1 percent,” he said. “I know we can maintain our quality.”

The announcement comes just as Mustang is releasing its new winter lager, a crisp, malty seasonal available tomorrow in the metro. Mustang enjoys strong, regional support, with its beers available at nearly 500 locations in Arkansas and Oklahoma, including McNellie’s, 1100 Classen Drive; Tapwerks, 121 E. Sheridan; and 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 N.W. 51st.

Another popular local brewery, Coop Ale Works, is releasing its new Territorial Reserve Oak- Aged Imperial stout, also available beginning tomorrow. Initially, it only will be available in kegs, but co-owner J.D. Merryweather said the winter beer will be available in bottles by the first of 2012.

The Territorial Reserve is a massive, complex and wonderfully balanced stout that was aged in Jack Daniel’s barrels, giving the finished product an amazing blend of sweetness, caramel, chocolate, coffee and oak that leads to a creamy finish.

Made by Coop’s head brewer, Blake Jarolim, the Territorial Reserve comes in at about 10 percent alcohol, but the multiple layers and flavors don’t show it too much.

“The Jack Daniel’s barrels imparted a unique and flavorful character to this stout,” Jarolim said. “It’s robust and full-bodied.”

Tulsa’s Marshall Brewing Company released its Big Jamoke porter in early November. Unlike previous versions of the brand, this one will be available all the way through Feb. 12, 2012. It’s a powerful blend of coffee, chocolate, fig, smoke and smoked meat — a great escape on cold winter days. It’s on draft at McNellie’s and Tapwerks.

Krebs Brewing Company, home of Choc Beer, also has released a stout for winter in a limited run. Vanishing in January, it’s available at Tapwerks; The Wine Gallery, 12000 S. Western; and Broadway Wine Merchants, 824 N. Broadway.

Photo by Mark Hancock