Beers that are vastly improved by barrel aging

I think Dirty Bastard becomes Backwoods Bastard after being barrel aged. I could be wrong though.
Either way, I like both beers a great deal, but Backwoods is just superb.

 

I'm not so crazy about Weyerbacher's Quad or Blithering Idiot (barleywine)- they have too much residual sweetness and syrupy character for my tastes. I don't know if the same exact beer goes into the barrels or not ( I'd assume they are similar, at least) but both Insanity and Blasphemy are fan freakin' tastic, with loads of vanilla and coconut. That barrel really does seem to tame those sugars, and coax some nice flavors out of them as well.

 

Backwoods is indeed Dirty Bastard aged in bourbon barrels, though Backwoods does have a bit higher ABV. They might jack up the grain bill a bit, or the evaporation may increase it.

My vote is for Dark Horse Plead the Fifth. I really do not like the base beer much, but the BA version is probably my favorite beer ever.

 

I don't know if barrel aging can make an average beer better. But if you ask me, it can really bump a delicious, big abv stout to the next level.

 

Narwhal makes a substantial leap.

 

Ive been wondering for a bit.

a beer put in a bourbon barrel, that picks up so much character from the bourbon, that it doesn't taste like beer anymore, how could that be considered beer once its well up above 12% abv and is more bourbon than beer.

 

Most Lambics, sours, and wilds.

I had to say that.

 

I've had unaged Black Tuesday... Yes, it needs the barrel.

But, it was designed to be barrel aged, so I'm not sure if that counts. haha

 

Imperial Biscotti Break...exponentially better barrel aged imo. Takes an average beer and turns it into a masterpiece.

On a side note, I prefer regular Plead The 5th to the barrel aged version as well. Never had double barrel though.

 

Imperial Biscotti Break is average I do agree barrel aged is better, but regular IBB is a great beer that I rarely pass up!

 

Fremont's Dark Star & Winter Ale (FKA Abominable) are already outstanding examples in their respective styles, but they become world-class offerings after Fremont puts them in barrels. What this goes to show is that barrel-ageing is a particular kind of expertise, somewhat distinct from the original brewing process. More than once I've had a barrel-aged version of a "base" beer I'd especially loved, only to find I liked it considerably less than its antecedent. Not every beer is meant for the barrel, but, just as important, not every brewer, perhaps, knows everything they need to to make the most of the process.

 

Agreed, see Barrel aged Bomb! for an example of a beer that should not be barrel aged.

 

Sexual Chocolate is nothing special . BASC is a great beer , way better than the regular .

 

Putting something in a barrel doesn't change the fundamental construct of the liquid. It just adds extra flavor, can make the mouthfeel more slick and often doesn't jack up the abv as high as you're suggesting. If you put maple syrup in a bourbon barrel does it cease to be maple syrup? Are all wines aged on barrels one thing and all the wines aged in stainless something completely different?

 

To me, what jumps to mind is Blackout Stout. Completely forgettable without the barrel, excellent with it. I'll also say Backwoods Bastard and, to a lesser extent, Siberian Night.

 

Stone RIS ---> Fyodor's Classic. Drastic improvement.

 

Scarface from speakeasy is just ok regular but I think it gets better with the barrel. I don't think this is a top tier beer by any means but it does get better

 

I cant think of any since I hadnt tried many BA beers. But I can come up with a opposite one.

Black Albert and Cuvee Delphin by de Struise. Cuvee Delphin is a nice beer, but Black Albert is just amazing. One of my best Imperial Stout without barrel aging or other ingredients.

 

I completely agree. After having Black Albert, I thought Cuvee Delphine was underwhelming.