Allagash Day's End 4Pk

Allagash Day's End 4Pk is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial red ale from Allagash Brewing Company at approximately 9% ABV, sold in a four-pack. Inspired by the classic Boulevardier cocktail, this limited release earned an 87 on BeerAdvocate and stands apart through its unconventional use of Lambrusco grape must, angelica root, and orange peel in the brewing process.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~9%  |  Origin: Portland, Maine  |  Style: Imperial Red Ale  |  Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Allagash Brewing Company, founded in 1995 by Rob Tod in Portland, Maine, built its reputation on Belgian-inspired brewing before branching into innovative barrel-aged and specialty releases. Day's End begins with a grain bill of two-row base malt, red wheat, and flaked corn, to which the brewers add Lambrusco grape must, angelica root, and orange peel — ingredients drawn directly from the Boulevardier cocktail template of sweet vermouth, Campari, and bourbon. The beer then rests in bourbon barrels for two months, picking up layers of vanilla, oak, and caramel that meld with the grape-driven fruitiness and subtle bitter-herbal backbone.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe grape and light caramel arrive first, followed by bourbon-soaked oak and a gentle waft of vanilla. Underneath, faint wheat breadiness and a whisper of orange peel add complexity.

Taste: The entry is malt-forward and gently sweet, with caramel and brown sugar meeting a mid-palate wave of Lambrusco grape character reminiscent of red wine. Bourbon warmth builds gradually, while bitter orange and a root-like herbal quality from the angelica keep the sweetness in check. The peak balances raisin-like dark fruit with toasted oak.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with vanilla and oak tannins lingering alongside dried citrus peel. A subtle bourbon heat and a final flash of grape tartness close out each sip cleanly.

How to Drink Day's End

Day's End is best served at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — in a tulip glass or snifter that concentrates its complex aromatics. Because the beer itself is modeled on a cocktail, it rewards contemplative sipping rather than mixing. That said, adventurous drinkers can use it as a float on a traditional Boulevardier for a layered riff, incorporate it into a beer-based Negroni Sbagliato by substituting it for the sparkling wine component, or blend a small measure into a bourbon and brown sugar Old Fashioned for added depth and grape-driven complexity.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who appreciate barrel-aged releases
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie spread on a cool evening
• Gifting to a cocktail lover curious about beer-cocktail crossover styles
• Adding to a tasting flight of Allagash specialty and barrel-aged offerings

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Day's End taste like? Day's End delivers rich caramel and brown sugar sweetness balanced by Lambrusco grape fruitiness, bourbon-barrel vanilla, oak tannins, and a bitter-herbal edge from angelica root and orange peel. It drinks like a liquid Boulevardier — malty, fruity, and warming.

How does Day's End compare to other Allagash barrel-aged beers? Where Allagash Curieux (their bourbon barrel-aged tripel) leans toward bright Belgian yeast esters and honey-like sweetness, Day's End is darker, more malt-driven, and distinctly cocktail-inspired with its grape must and herbal additions. It occupies a unique niche even within Allagash's own specialty lineup.

Is Day's End good for sipping neat? Yes — at roughly 9% ABV, Day's End has enough body and complexity to reward slow, contemplative drinking at cellar temperature, much like a barleywine or Belgian strong ale.

Where is Day's End made? Day's End is brewed and barrel-aged at Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine, a brewery renowned for Belgian-inspired and experimental ales since 1995.

What foods pair well with Day's End? Grilled lamb chops complement the beer's herbal and bourbon notes; aged Gouda mirrors its caramel sweetness; duck confit echoes its rich, malty body; dark chocolate with dried cherries ties into the grape and raisin character; and a classic beef Bolognese plays off the Lambrusco grape influence.

What sizes does Day's End come in? Day's End is available as a four-pack, which is the standard retail format for this specialty release from Allagash.

Is Day's End worth the price? Day's End positions as a premium specialty release within the craft beer market, justified by its bourbon barrel aging, use of Lambrusco grape must, and limited availability — it delivers complexity that rivals many higher-priced barrel-aged ales.

Why Day's End?

The cocktail-to-beer concept is not new, but few breweries execute it with the restraint and technical skill Allagash brings to Day's End. The addition of real Lambrusco grape must — not syrup, not flavoring — gives the beer a vinous dimension that bourbon barrel aging alone cannot achieve. Angelica root and orange peel add the bitter, aromatic structure of a proper Boulevardier without overwhelming the malt foundation. The result is a beer that earned an 87 on BeerAdvocate and genuinely tastes like the cocktail that inspired it, yet remains unmistakably a well-built imperial red ale.