The largest burr oak tree in Missouri sits just south of Columbia, MO near the winding Missouri River and well-known Katy Trail, beckoning locals and visitors to ride, walk, or drive past and stand in awe of its presence. Standing at 90 feet high and 130 feet across, there is something uniquely humbling about this 350-year-old tree that you have to see to believe. It has seen its share of history and has brought a sense of community to the small college town of Columbia, MO for generations. Columbia area arborists constantly take new measurements of the Bur Oak to tell its story and document the changes in its life. You will not find a soul in Columbia who has not heard of “The Big Tree”.
It’s only fitting that one of Columbia’s most well-known breweries, Bur Oak Brewing Company, is named after this ever-present symbol of community; because what’s more communal than beer? The brewery sits just off the highway, in the middle of nowhere mid-Missouri. As you approach the exit ramp and search for Bur Oak, you begin to think you’ve taken a wrong turn. Suddenly, you get a whiff of hops and barley and see a nondescript warehouse with the recognizable oak tree logo on the side. The tap room is small, the walls clad with swag from various community events, and is always bustling and able to make room for more. If you catch it on the right day, you can see folks playing ping pong through the glass walls, practicing aerial acrobatics next to the fermenting tanks and hear lively brewery tours describing the small but mighty operation. Indeed, a community feel where you’re packed in, but always feel welcome.
Though Bur Oak Brewing Company has several outstanding selections, the Clyde’s Caramel Cream Ale is by far a favorite. This was a later addition to the brewers’ repertoire but has easily become the beer that I lust after when I visit home. Instantly, the perfect caramel color of this beer is striking. You can almost tell just from looking at it how glossy, effortless and polished it will taste as if it will melt in your mouth. Its smell is that of a mom and pop candy shop that slow boils its own caramel and spins it into delicious morsels. Hops are present but are not the star of this beer. Rather, the toasty malt and crystalized sugar come through and provide a distinctive flavor that I’ve found in no other beer. This beer is the epitome of a cream ale, smooth, silky, and full with added malty sweetness; reminiscent of cream soda. The high malt content balances the sweetness of the caramel inviting you back for sip after sip, making Clyde’s the ultimate luxury on a crisp Fall day.
Named after Clyde, the brewery’s rescue cat, Clyde’s Caramel Cream Ale, like each beer at Bur Oak Brewing Company is born out of a story. The brewers at Bur Oak weave together the lives and experiences of people around them, celebrating the beauty, strength, and longevity of community. Like the famous Big Tree, Bur Oak Brewing is a household name that strives to bring well-crafted beer to the Columbia community, and also celebrates community members who are passionate about their craft. Their mission is to bring people together. Whether handing out beer to bicyclists at the annual Boone Dawdle fundraiser, interviewing Columbia area artists and athletes about their craft in their new video series, or cheering the cyclists on their sponsored team, Bur Oak Brewing Company is always searching for the next story; stories that continue to galvanize communities and inspire great beer.