Two Brothers Brewing Company - Barrel Aged Northwind

Two Brothers Barrel Aged Northwind starts with the brewery’s beloved Northwind Imperial Stout and revs it up by aging it in bourbon barrels. And they’re not just any bourbon barrels, they originally held Two Brothers’ own Artisan Spirits Roundhouse Small Batch Bourbon! The brew spends 12 months in those barrels, developing a rich, slightly sweet warmth, before it’s canned and delivered to you.

The Barrel Aged Northwind pours deep and dark, but not as viscous as you’d expect, and develops a nice dark tan head that dissipates fairly quickly, as we expect given the elevated alcohol level. On the nose, you get a sweet bourbon aroma, with a slightly musty wood note and smoke from the barrel. Big roasted elements backed by caramel malt come through, too.

This one delivers a perfect balance of bourbon and stout flavor, the barrel tastes enhancing and enriching the malt without overpowering it or disappearing into the background. Big roasted notes you’d want from an imperial stout along with chocolate, vanilla, and caramel give way to barrel char and bracing bitterness in the finish.

This is an outstanding beer, perfectly balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and a nice finish that belies the 11% ABV; this is one you’ll want to get extras of. Exclusively available at Two Brothers’ locations and through the Rare Beer Club.

Enjoy some now and keep some more for up to five years, pair it with smoked brisket or Texas pulled pork, and thank yourself for stocking up. This was the hit of one of our most recent tasting panels, and one we think you’ll love.

Two Brothers Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery based in Warrenville, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The company was founded by brothers Jim and Jason Ebel, who first opened The Brewer’s Coop, a homebrewing and home winemaking shop. Both were avid homebrewers and for years they dreamed of starting their own brewery. Jason further honed his brewing skills at Tabernash Brewery in Denver, Colorado, and gained additional experience at Mickey Finn’s in Libertyville, Illinois.

All along, the brothers continued to talk about turning their dream into a reality. Eventually, after driving their families a bit crazy with talk of their plans, they decided to take the plunge and open a brewpub. But, lacking financing and restaurant experience, they determined that starting a brewery was a better option. During this time, Jim earned his law degree, and Jason completed his brewing degree at the renowned Siebel Institute in Chicago—an ideal combination for launching a new business. In 1996, they officially opened the brewery with the goal of bringing fresh, high-quality beer to the Chicagoland area.

Two Brothers’ guiding philosophy, “Craft With A Conscience,” is rooted in their family’s farming background and their commitment to giving back to their community and the environment. Their grandfather, a dairy farmer, passed down bulk milk tanks that the brothers repurposed as the brewery’s original fermenters. The brewery remains dedicated to sustainable practices, including donating spent grain to local farms, using local and American-made ingredients whenever possible, and prioritizing exceptional customer service and top-quality brewing supplies. Their commitment to sustainability is further reflected in their use of recyclable packaging, the fact that the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora is powered entirely by renewable energy, and their ongoing efforts to conserve water and improve energy efficiency throughout the brewing process.

In nearly 30 years of operation, Two Brothers Brewing has expanded significantly. The brewery now operates from a 40,000-square-foot facility, featuring a 50-barrel brewing system and 3,000 barrels of fermentor space, with distribution reaching over a dozen states. If you're visiting the Chicago area, be sure to check out Two Brothers' establishments—Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville and Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora—located just 20 minutes apart. For the latest news, hours of operation, and tour information, visit their website at twobrothersbrewing.com.