Positive Friday - Welcome Weekend

Welcome Weekend pours jet black with a thick, creamy tan head that slowly recedes, leaving behind persistent lacing. The aroma is immediately inviting, led by rich chocolate, roasted barley, and subtle vanilla from its time in barrel. Beneath the surface, soft notes of caramel, toasted oats, and gentle bourbon warmth emerge, offering depth without overwhelming the senses.

On the palate, this barrel-aged oatmeal stout delivers a lush, full-bodied mouthfeel driven by its oat-rich grist. Layers of dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malt are complemented by warming bourbon character and hints of raisin and toffee. Despite its 10.3% ABV, the alcohol is remarkably well integrated, providing structure and warmth rather than heat. The finish is smooth, roasty, and lingering, with balanced bitterness that invites slow, contemplative sipping.

Welcome Weekend is well suited for short- to medium-term cellaring. Over 2–4 years, expect the bourbon character to mellow and meld more seamlessly with the chocolate and roasted malt profile, while subtle notes of dark fruit and cocoa deepen. Enjoyed fresh, it offers bold barrel expression and rich roast; with age, it will become softer and more rounded.

For pairings, look to hearty and indulgent fare. Smoked brisket, braised short ribs, or barbecue pork pair beautifully with its roasty depth. On the dessert side, chocolate cake, espresso brownies, or bourbon pecan pie echo the beer’s core flavors. It also stands confidently on its own as a fireside sipper—an indulgent stout that fully lives up to its celebratory name.

The story of Positive Friday is intrinsically linked to the venerable Millstream Brewing Company in Amana, Iowa, which opened in 1985. In March of 2021, Millstream was acquired by Steve & Susan Charlier and their business partner Justin Cohanim while the previous owners, Tom & Teresa Albert, continued as owners of the adjacent Millstream Brau Haus. The new owners sought to maintain the brewery’s core, often traditional German-style beers while expanding the lineup to include more contemporary styles. They also added a canning line to adapt to the modern demand for this packaging format.

Tom, Teresa, and Justin launched the Positive Friday brand in 2021 to provide an avenue to their brewers for experimentation into new styles and a more nimble vehicle for them to get these new creations into the hands of beer lovers much faster, and to a larger audience than the more local-centric Millstream brand. As Justin explained to us, at Millstream the process to introduce a new beer can take months, with multiple pilot batches sold largely out of the taproom. With Positive Friday, they’ve created a separate entity, one in which they hand the reins entirely to their very experienced brewing staff and tell them to come up with something new and exciting – which immediately gets created and distributed within just a few weeks, and to a broader market at that.

As of this writing, they’ve released several new beers including both West Coast and New England Hazy IPAs, Wheat Ale, Vienna Lager, German Pils, and a rather bold Irish Red boasting a stronger than normal ABV. We’re looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.