Brooklyn Brewery, Four Roses Team On Black Ops 2022 Edition

by Gary Carter
November 28, 2022

Bourbon and beer fans can raise a glass to the recently release of the 2022 edition of Brooklyn Black Ops, a collaboration of suds between craft beer’s Brooklyn Brewery and Kentucky-based bourbon Four Roses Distillery.

The collaborative brewing partnership between Brooklyn Brewery and Four Roses goes back to 2019, and was born from a longstanding friendship between Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver and Four Roses COO and Director of Operations Ryan Ashley.

A statement from the brewer notes that the 2022 edition of Black Ops, a Russian Imperial Stout, was aged about nine months in Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon barrels that were hand-selected by Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott.

Bourbon and beer fans can raise a glass to the recently release of the 2022 edition of Brooklyn Black Ops, a collaboration of suds between craft beer’s Brooklyn Brewery and Kentucky-based bourbon Four Roses Distillery. (image via Four Roses)

The brewer notes that the result is a beer with a hint of bourbon character and a smooth finish.

The 11.5% ABV Black Ops features chocolate and coffee notes with an underpinning of vanilla-like oak. This vintage has layers of oak, malt, and fruit flavors.

“Black Ops is unlike any other barrel-aged imperial stout,” Brewmaster Garrett Oliver said. “Rather than being thick, sweet, heavily roasted, and cloying, this beer is brisk and light on its feet, despite its 11.5% ABV … A light tang of roast acidity on the palate is followed by layers of caramel, chocolate and a slight bourbon bite. I think it’s fair to compare this beer to ‘third-wave’ coffee, showing less roast and greater balance, structure and elegance.”

Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott said that collaboration with Garrett “has led to extremely unique, high quality releases over the past four years and the new edition of Black Ops is no exception. The mellow fruit, spice and oak tones of the small batch bourbon barrels perfectly complement the rich, malty character of the Russian Imperial Stout, creating layers of complex flavors that both beer and bourbon drinkers will appreciate.”

The limited-edition Brooklyn Black Ops is available throughout the U.S. where Brooklyn Brewery products are sold, in 16-ounce four-packs.