The Return of a Legend: Cherry Busey Hits Taprooms Friday

Cherry Busey is back!

This beloved King’s Reserve release has built a cult-like following over the years. A Flanders-style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels and finished with a massive dose of Montmorency cherries, Cherry Busey is as complex as it is crave-worthy.

We caught up withWood Cellar Manager Andrew Hood to get the inside scoop on what makes this annual release so special:

“Cherry Busey is one of our most time-intensive beers. We’ve been making it for 11 years now. Both Dave [Colt] and I are huge fans of Rodenbach Brewery in Belgium, and one of their beers inspired this project. We were even lucky enough to host one of their former Brewmasters at Sun King years ago.

The process begins with a Flanders-style Red Ale, which we age in red wine barrels for at least a year, sometimes up to 18 months. From there, the beer is racked onto tart cherries for another five months. All in, each batch can take nearly two years to make.”

— Andrew Hood | Wood Cellar Manager

That patience pays off in every pour.

Aromas of dark fruit, oak and wild yeast greet your nose, followed by layers of tangy cherry, red wine tannins and a smooth, oaky finish. The wild yeast contributes to its tart, funky backbone, giving it the edge that barrel-aged beer fans live for.

A Legacy of Flavor

Cherry Busey has earned more than just fanfare. This King’s Reserve release has medaled three times at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival®:

🥈 2016 Silver – Belgian-Style Fruit Beer

🥉 2015 & 2017 Bronze – Belgian-Style Fruit Beer

It’s the kind of beer that rewards your patience, and maybe your cellaring skills, too.

When & Where

Cherry Busey releases this Friday and will be available at Sun King taprooms while supplies last. As always, selection may vary, so check with your local taproom for availability.

King’s Reserve: The King’s Reserve series is home to our most unique, barrel-aged creations. Every beer in the series has spent time in oak, developing flavor, depth and character you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you're a longtime fan or tasting Cherry Busey for the first time, this release is worth savoring.

Celebrate the 4th with Pineapple Whip

Happy 4th of July! Whether you're celebrating with fireworks, cookouts or just kicking back with friends and family, we’ve got the perfect beer to add a tropical twist to your holiday:

Launching today: Pineapple Whip, the newest release in our King’s Reserve barrel-aged beer series.

🍍 Pineapple Whip
Belgian-style Tripel aged in Jamaican rum barrels with pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and lime

Inspired by a certain famous soft serve from a very large theme park in Florida, Pineapple Whip is smooth, creamy and packed with sunny flavor. We took a Belgian-style Tripel and gave it time to soak up the complex character of Jamaican rum barrels, then added a swirl of pineapple, coconut, vanilla and lime. The result? A vacation in a glass. It’s boozy, bright and unforgettable. Definitely a drink to help you savor the flavor of summer.

What’s King’s Reserve?

Some of you are very familiar with King’s Reserve while others may not be. So here’s a short and brief refresher. King’s Reserve is our most exclusive series of small-batch, barrel-aged beers. Every KR release has spent time aging in oak, pulling in rich, bold flavors that make each beer one-of-a-kind. They’re brewed for those who want something rare, refined and full of character.

Coming Soon: Cherry Busey Returns

Later this month, Cherry Busey is back! Our Flanders-style red ale aged in red wine barrels with tart cherries is funky, fruity and a fan favorite you won’t want to miss. So stay tuned for release date details.

Hope you have a happy and safe Independence Day!