Three Ryes Men, Reuben’s Brews’ bourbon barrel-aged rye barleywine, is back for 2026, and this year it has company. The Seattle brewery is releasing the classic beer on draft and in 22-ounce bottles alongside Fruit Cake, a limited variant in 12-ounce cans. Reuben’s release announcement sets release day for Saturday, Nov. 7, at its Ballard and Downtown Seattle taprooms, with doors opening at 11 a.m.
One caution before you plot a course: the brewery’s own pages don’t fully agree on the date. The event page is dated Nov. 7, but its text, and the promo graphic, still say Saturday, Oct. 31. The blog announcement, updated Oct. 29, says Nov. 7. Check with Reuben’s before you go.
Three Ryes Men: the barleywine
Reuben’s describes it as a barleywine brewed with three different rye malts and aged in selected bourbon barrels. The event page promises “complex layers of caramel, toasted oak, spicy rye, and soothing bourbon warmth.” The announcement adds “rich aromas of dark caramel, subtle dried fruit, and warming bourbon spice” with a “smooth, velvety mouthfeel.”
The brewery’s beer page lists 13.7% ABV, crystal rye, ESB, flaked rye and rye malts, and Chinook hops. It also quotes co-founder Adam calling the beer “a liquified ROLO.” That page isn’t specific to the 2026 vintage, so treat the ABV as a guide until the bottle says otherwise.
Three Ryes Men’s medal cabinet
Reuben’s calls it one of the most decorated beers in the brewery’s history, and the record backs that up. The beer page lists a Great American Beer Festival bronze in 2019 and gold in 2022, World Beer Cup bronze in 2023 and gold in 2024, and Grand Champion at the 2026 United States Beer Tasting Championship.
The Fruit Cake variant in 12-ounce cans
The new variant is built on the same barleywine, brewed with orange zest, maraschino cherry, vanilla and warming spices. Reuben’s says it was “built for the cellar and designed for slow sipping” and is meant to “rediscover a holiday classic.” The announcement lists Fruit Cake on draft and in 12-ounce cans.
| Detail | Classic (2026) | Fruit Cake |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Rye barleywine, bourbon barrel-aged | Same base |
| Additions | Three rye malts | Orange zest, maraschino cherry, vanilla, spices |
| Formats | Draft, 22-oz. bottles | Draft, 12-oz. cans |
| ABV | 13.7% (brewery beer page) | Not published |
| Where | Ballard and Downtown Seattle taprooms | Ballard and Downtown Seattle taprooms |
Sources: Reuben’s Brews announcement, event page and beer page, checked Oct. 31, 2026.
Release day details
Both taprooms open at 11 a.m. on release day: Ballard at 5010 14th Ave. NW and Downtown Seattle at 1201 1st Ave. Reuben’s says everything is available while supplies last. It hasn’t posted prices or bottle limits.
For more on what Washington brewers are pouring this season, see our report on Washington breweries and lower-alcohol beer. This barleywine sits firmly at the other end of the scale.
FAQ
Cellar space required
Three Ryes Men is a heavyweight of a winter beer: three rye malts, bourbon barrels, a shelf of medals, and now a fruitcake-spiced sibling in cans. Grab one to drink and one to lay down.
Just confirm the date before you beam into Seattle.
Transmission complete.
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