DEEP 6: Aged Under Ice BEER

Aged under ice? At the bottom of the lake? That’s right! This beer’s been chillin’ (literally) in icy darkness beneath the surface of Lake of the Woods.

Every fall before freeze-up, we “deep six” bottles of a small-batch, handcrafted beer at the bottom of the lake. Each one is secured in anchored cages below the ice line, where it spends six months aging in near-perfect conditions – 4 to 10°C, gently rocked by the current. When spring rolls around, we haul them back up and the result is something truly special: a beer that’s smooth, coooool, and one-of-a-kind.

Water, whether it’s liquid or solid, is an unstoppable force. And in this case, it crafts beer. Lake of the Woods Brewing Company brings ice and water together in our innovative Deep 6 Aged-Under-Ice Series, where the magic of the lake meets the art of brewing.

Each bottle is hand-numbered, carefully packaged in a custom-printed box, and comes with a few surprises from the depths. It’s the kind of beer you want to savour — and maybe stash a few bottles away to see how it evolves. Lagering only makes it better.

2025 Deep 6 Release: Double Chocolate Cherry Sour Dark Ale

This year’s limited release is a mouthful…Literally and figuratively. The Double Chocolate Cherry Sour Dark Ale greets you with rich aromas of chocolate and maraschino cherries. A deep, decadent chocolate flavour takes centre stage, thanks to generous amounts of organic cocoa added during both the boil and finishing stages (pro tip: give the bottle a few gentle tilts before pouring to keep all that chocolatey goodness in suspension).

Behind the chocolate, you’ll find subtle notes of maraschino cherry and almond — coming from Italian cherries fermented in their own juices, mashed, and macerated during secondary fermentation. A soft tartness lingers just long enough to make you want another sip. Rounded out by hints of nuts, biscuit malt, and a smooth full-bodied mouthfeel, this one’s dark brown with a ruby hue and an off-white head.

ABV: 7% | IBU: 28 | SRM: 36

The 2025 edition won’t last long, and we’re already looking ahead. The 2026 Deep 6 is already aging below the surface, waiting for the next freeze. Stay tuned… there’s always something brewing beneath the ice.