Welcome to Workshop. Workshop is both a physical space for storing a variety of barrels that we have acquired for aging beers, and a way of thinking. Workshop is our crossroads of human expression through beer-making and time, space, and magic. Cloistered, silent in the depth of an oak cask, meticulously crafted ales and lagers cohabitate with miraculous wild microorganisms, while respirating spirits hidden in the wooden walls.
Workshop is a meditation. It’s the practice of letting go. The beers we release from this project have no deadlines or schedules and will only be packaged and sold when they tell us that they are ready. It could be months. It’s probably years. The universe is 13.8 billion years old. We can wait.
Brand Design in collaboration with the extremely talented Daren Magee @realfunwow
DARK SPOT
2020 has tested our collective patience in many ways. In times like these, when the world seems dark and bitter we turn inward to question our existence and look for hope. Heavy times call for heavy remedies.
Back in good old 2019, an Imperial Stout recipe was created. This stout was designed to rest in oak barrels for over a year. This stout changed the way we think about barrel aging and has ushered in a new program of brewing and aging for UNION. We call it the Workshop. It’s a place and a way of thinking about the crossroads of human expression through beer making and time, space, and magic. The Workshop is a physical space with metaphysical properties. Its a place we go to lose control and let the universe take over.
After resting for thirteen months and two weeks in 30-year-old French oak casks that previously held cognac and rye whiskey, we heard the whisper that this one was ready to come out.
Dark Spot Imperial Stout pours a viscous and oily black with thin wisps of chestnut brown foam. Aroma is heady with rye spirits, earthy oak character, and pipe tobacco with distinctly fruity background notes – fig, black cherry, and blackstrap molasses. Heavy on the palate with bitter dark chocolate upfront followed by Irish coffee, burnt marshmallow, walnut, and leather, with red wine and espresso riding shotgun. Body is thick and chewy, leaving behind a lasting impression of raisin, anise, and wood smoke. 12.5% ABV.
You can find this bottle on shelves in Maryland and D.C. starting next week and we’ll have it available for purchase at the brewery starting on Wednesday, 11/18 – the first day of our week-long Cornucopia.
HOT SPOT
Inspired by the intoxicating flavors of Mexican Hot Chocolate we reserved a small portion of our Dark Spot Imperial Stout and gave it a little extra time to infuse with beautiful cacao, whole vanilla beans, warming cinnamon, and just a touch of fresh chili pepper.
Hot Spot pours a thick and entirely opaque black with transient cocoa foam. Chili pepper and cinnamon aromas burst out of the glass on a foundation of thick brownie batter, rye spirit, toffee, and toasted oak. Slathers the palate with melted milk chocolate, Horchata liqueur, and graham cracker pie crust with the dry roast of a caffè mocha and the sweet spice of a Maduro cigar bringing balance. The snap of fresh chili pepper and cinnamon candy heat cut through the confectionary notes on the finish and leave a lasting impression.
A thrilling journey into darkness that you won’t soon forget. 13.5% ABV.
Hot Spot will be available exclusively at the brewery starting on Wednesday, 11/18 – the first day of our week long Cornucopia.
