Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale - anyone tried it?

They've been around for awhile, so I wouldn't say they jumped on the bandwagon. They've been doing it before barrel-aging became the big trend. That being said, their stuff isn't super amazing. I just recently had their Pumpkin Barrel and thought it was good, but not great or anything.

 

I've only drain poured a few beers and the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was one of them.

 

Same here. I gave the rest away. The nicest thing I've heard about is "It's a tough beer to drink."

 

The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale isn't very good. As a couple previous posters stated, it's a "mess." The Bourbon Barrel Stout is decent though. It smells delicious. Very heavy on the coffee but there is almost no bourbon in the taste, and the body is mediocre. Neither are worth your time or money.

 

If you're new to the taste experience of barrel-aged beers then it's an okay beer. If you've experienced good barrel-aged beer in the past then Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale is a catastrophic let down.

 

It's drinkable but mediocre, and to me not worth the relatively high price it commands in our area. The pumpkin was a little more interesting, but also still IMHO mediocre.

If you can get it, I'd highly recommend Louie's Resurrection from Milwaukee Brewing. It's inexpensive, easily available (where distributed), and far, far better beer.

 

Doesn't stay in stores or bars here for very long. It didn't offend me as much as some BAs, but if I want something that sweet, I'm getting something else.

 

I found a bottle in the back of a cupboard someone sent me for Christmas 2011...I'm gonna drink it in the next few days so I'll let you know if "ageing' did anything to it....If I don't die.

 

a reputable customer told me it tasted like Amaretto

 

ditto

 

My gf liked it, if that amounts to anything. Also my non BA friends think its just the tops.

For me? Drain pour. Seriously. I got about half way through the bottle before I was outright disgusted by it, I gave an honest effort to finish the rest, but I just couldnt. Down it went. Its just far too sweet. Theres plenty of bourbon flavor, but its like masking the smell of a really bad dump you took with too much air freshener; the air freshener might smell great on its own, but when you're using it to mask the smell of something awful, it too smells awful. In fact it arguably smells worse than before.

 

I think they mix this with Left Hand Milk Stout in some beer bars in Boston (Mead Hall, Sunset Grille) and serve it as something called a "milkshake."

So it's a beer "mixer" in some places. I know I've never had it in its pure state.

 

I agree, the barrel influence was subtle and the coffee pulled through far more. They are considering leaving it in the barrel longer for the next batch to bring it into balance a little more.

 

It's just "ok". Their bourbon barrel stout is an abomination.

 

I didn't dig it. Too much alcohol, not enough flavor profile otherwise. Unbalanced and syrupy. The worst part is that people gift this beer to me or share it when we're hanging, people I share my own beers with. And the "OMG, barel agin'!" marketing ploy winds up working and I have to kind of choke it down and tell them thanks! It's the kind of beer that, to me, is bad enough that I'd just as well go without a beer than drink one. I'm sure a lot of people dig it, it's just not my thing.

 

Lol...since when is 83 not good?

Wait Chris is that you?!...jk, I have a buddy that will only buy things with a world class rating.

 

I picked up a 4-pack of the pumpkin last weekend and tried one the other night. It was decent but I would expect better considering the price. Even if it were cheaper it's not something I'd buy again, but I don't regret checking it out either.

 

We can all piss and moan about it since we all drink awesome rare whalez and stuff, but if people who are BMC drinkers go into a bar and order a BBA and enjoy it, it opens their eyes to other type of craft beer. I know tons of my friends who have tried BBA, liked it a lot, and has gotten them into trying all sorts of different craft beers.

I'd much rather see someone walk into a store and buy a 4 pack of BBA than a 6 pack of Coors Light. JMO.

Disclaimer: I don't buy the beer regularly, but if I'm given one or its one of the better options on tap, I usually enjoy 1.

 

I had one last night. It was boring and didn't remind me of a barrel aged stout at all. Where's the Bourbon at? It tasted like a flat cola with a hint of chocolate? Maybe it would serve as a good gateway beer but I wouldn't revisit it anytime soon.

 

I've got a four-pack in my cellar, but haven't popped the top on one yet.