About This Beer
Two Sides X Dot Brew Over A Barrel 08 Single Malt Ex Cab Sauv Ice Wine is a luxurious, barrel-forward imperial stout designed for drinkers who appreciate depth, richness, and layered flavour. Brewed in Ireland as a collaboration between Two Sides Brewing and Dot Brew, this craft beer is part of the Over A Barrel series, which focuses on experimental ageing and carefully selected barrels. For customers exploring craft beer Ireland or looking for craft beer delivered nationwide, this release offers a memorable and indulgent drinking experience.
The base beer is a full-bodied imperial stout built on roasted malts that deliver chocolate, espresso, and dark sugar notes. Extended ageing in single malt barrels that previously held Cabernet Sauvignon ice wine introduces additional complexity, bringing subtle red fruit sweetness, vinous character, oak structure, and warming whisky depth. At 10.6% ABV, the beer carries its strength with confidence while remaining smooth and balanced.
This is a beer designed for slow enjoyment. It suits after-dinner drinking, special occasions, or sharing among craft beer enthusiasts who enjoy barrel-aged releases. If rich, experimental dark beers appeal to you, it’s worth exploring more options in our Stout and Porter collection.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Jet black with a dense tan head and slow, oily legs in the glass.
Aroma: Dark chocolate, roasted coffee, dried fruit, red wine sweetness, oak, and gentle whisky warmth.
Flavour: Layers of cocoa, espresso, dark berries, caramel, and subtle barrel spice, balanced by vinous sweetness and restrained bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and velvety with soft carbonation and a long, warming finish.
About the Brewery
Two Sides Brewing is a modern Irish brewery recognised for pushing boundaries through collaboration-led releases and creative brewing. Dot Brew brings a similarly experimental approach, with a particular focus on barrel ageing and flavour development. Together, the breweries created the Over A Barrel series as a platform for exploring how different barrels and previous contents influence beer character.
Rather than novelty for its own sake, Over A Barrel releases are carefully constructed to ensure balance and drinkability, even at higher strengths. This thoughtful approach has helped both breweries build a strong reputation within the Irish craft beer scene for producing beers that are bold yet considered.
As part of our Irish Craft Beer offering, Two Sides and Dot Brew sit alongside some of Ireland’s most exciting independent producers, contributing to a diverse and evolving beer landscape.
Food Pairings
Over A Barrel 08 pairs exceptionally well with rich desserts and indulgent dishes. Dark chocolate fondant, brownies, tiramisu, and desserts featuring berries or cherry compote all complement the beer’s cocoa, coffee, and wine-driven notes. The sweetness from the ice wine influence works particularly well with red-fruit-based desserts.
For savoury pairings, blue cheese, aged cheddar, and washed-rind cheeses stand up to the beer’s intensity and warmth. This stout can also be enjoyed on its own as a contemplative after-dinner drink, served in a snifter or tulip glass to allow the aromas to fully develop.
If you’re keen to explore beyond barrel-aged stouts, you may enjoy browsing our Other Beer Styles range or stepping up to larger formats via our Beer Kegs collection.
Browse our Belgian Beer, German Beer, Irish Craft Beer, or Beer Kegs.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15