A few weeks ago, those who follow Phase Three Brewing were given a heads up to mark their calendars for a huge release to start out the month of March. Reserve Weekend 2024 celebrated a very special release of two of Phase Three’s most highly sought after beers: Arabesque and Minutiae. PorchDrinking is here to give you all some early insight into these exciting new reserve beers, including an exclusive review of each of these high-gravity beasts.

A Weekend to Remember

Phase Three Brewing has been exciting the craft beer world with their product since opening their doors in 2020. Their varied portfolio of quality, hand-crafted beer includes a very strong barrel program, which we had the opportunity to highlight back at the beginning of 2023. To kick off March, the P3 team had an exciting announcement. In an effort to continue pushing the boundaries of their craft, the team out of Lake Zurich would be releasing two ‘reserve’ iterations of their most sought after barrel-aged beers.

Minutiae Reserve

This is actually the second batch we’ve seen released of Minutiae Reserve. This newest variation stemmed from an opportunity in 2021 to acquire some very rare, freshly emptied Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15-Year barrels. Their “recipe 2” stout aged in these casks for 29 months before they were blended, hit with a moderate amount of carbonation, then bottled. Typically, Phase Three’s barrel-aged beers are blended in different layers to allow for a more balanced expression. However they wanted this iteration of Minutiae Reserve to offer a unique perspective of a blend of casks solely containing fully mature beer from one recipe and one brand of spirit casks.

Arabesque Reserve

Undoubtedly a fan favorite, this is the first release of ‘Arabesque Reserve’ that has been released. Their Dark English-Style Barleywine was put into Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for 22 months before being transferred to a second round of casks that were 80% rum and 20% wheated bourbon for an additional 14 months. This massive barleywine rings in at a staggering 17.1% ABV.

The Reviews

Head Brewer and Co-Founder, Shaun Berns, was generous enough to send a Reserve set to the PorchDrinking team to review and share with our readers. We owe a huge thanks to them, and hope that by sharing our experiences that we can accurately convey the passion and quality you can expect from these special beers released by such a passionate program.

Minutiae

A motor oil-like pour, Minutiae flows with a luxurious thickness, devoid of any effervescence or frothy head.

The aromatics envelop us in a realm of bourbon-induced euphoria. The essence of whiskey-infused oak intermingles with the sweetness of butterscotch and vanilla. Gliding alongside is the deep, stewed richness of dark fruits. As the aroma unfolds, hints of raisin and decadent dark chocolate emerge, culminating in a harmoniously balanced nose.

True to its promise, the palate presents an impeccable equilibrium. A subtle, drying oak undertone paves the path for the flavors of a Black Forest gateau. Beautifully contrasting tinges of char are kissed by toasted vanilla, and accentuated by the lingering sweetness of caramel candy. The tail-end of each sip reveals the enduring presence of the barrel. A delicate touch of tannin leaves behind a comforting warmth resonating long into the next sip.

In terms of mouthfeel, it delivers precisely what one anticipates from its flavor profile and overall weight. It possesses a luxurious viscosity, yet avoids overwhelming heaviness. That said, it still maintains a subtle carbonation that delicately cuts through the richness. The finale, marked by a drying sensation, is nevertheless balanced by a comforting warmth, ensuring a harmonious conclusion to this remarkable reserve stout.

Arabesque

The hue of the pour is a deep, enigmatic brown, shrouded in a veil of opacity. With a swift descent into obscurity, the beer exhibits scarcely discernible carbonation as it gracefully descends into the glass.

Initially the aromatics present as opulent and beckoning, with impressions of chocolate raisins and the decadent essence of rum cake. Progressing forward, nuances of toasted vanilla, fig preserves, and a hint of supple leather emerge, adding layers of complexity.

On the palate, Arabesque Reserve asserts its spirit-heavy character with finesse. Initial sensations of charred oak and warming spices dance upon the taste buds, seamlessly transitioning into a luscious embrace of burnt caramel that echoes the richness echoed from the aromas, yet counterbalanced by a subtle bitterness. The back-end of the palate reveals a symphony of fruit and rum. Stewed raisins feature, tinged with a delicate sweetness alongside whispers of caramelized sugar.

The mouthfeel coats the palate, boasting a full-bodied presence without an overwhelming viscosity. Delicately subdued carbonation gently emerges, providing a textured contrast that adeptly cuts through the beer’s weight. Notably, discernible tannin imparts a drying effect, paving the way for the embrace of warmth and a nuanced bitterness. As each sip concludes, delicate esters linger, teasing the palate and beckoning for another sip.

Reserving Your Spot

Like with any reserve iteration released by a given brewery, allocations are always expected to be limited. This past weekend the Phase Three team celebrated these two special beers with draft pours of each as well as amazing eats and a killer line-up of live music. While Arabesque Reserve has since kicked, Minutiae Reserve is still pouring at both their Lake Zurich and Elmhurst locations.

Phase Three did conduct a random lottery on Oznr on February 19th which ran through the 23rd. For those unlucky with their entries or unable or attend the festivities, it’s time to make friends in IL. These beers are special, and truly exemplify what this small brewery has always looked to achieve with their barrel-aged beers.

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