Best Barrel Program, State by State

I'd say Jackie O's for Ohio rather than Thirsty Dog.

 

Westbrook for South Carolina.

 

In MD, it's Heavy Seas, hands down. Unless of course you count MD-based "gypsy brewer" Stillwater Artisinal.

Heavy Seas has some really underrated barrel-aged beers, including Below Decks variants, Greater Pumpkin, Siren Noire, Big DIPA (oak spirals)... Yule Tide (Imperial Red Ale aged in Jamacain Rum Barrels) looked really intriguing too, but I've not gotten my hands on that one.

 

Gotta go Founders in MI. Firestone Walker in CA. Goose Island in IL. Cigar City in FL. Cascade in OR. Great Divide in CO (haven't had any Crooked Stave yet).

 

Oregon's has got to be Hair of the Dog

 

I'd say Avery for CO, Great Divide doesn't even do any barrel aging now because Stranahan's only lets Breckenridge use their barrels.

 

Kane in New Jersey.

 

I would have said Hoppin Frog LoL. I almost went to Jackie O's the Sunday before last I've never been

 

Personally, I would say it is hard to say for MI, both Bell's and Founders have awesome barrel programs. I'm sure some might say New Holland too cause they make a lot of Dragon's Milk.

 

They had the four barrel aged Old Time's (Grumpy, Rummy, Funky, and Brandy). All were exceptional. MC definitely set the standard though.

 

So the BA Old Ruffian I cracked last week is a dinosaur now? I've had that and BA Yeti (1.5yrs ago), both were great. Will need to try to get some BA Avery stuff.

 

Central Waters in Wisconsin. No one else even comes close.

 

Yeah they're all old bottles. I asked some guy that worked for them at GABF and he said they were looking for replacement barrels. I think he mentioned heaven hill barrels, I can't remember. I think that'd be a step up from Stranahan's though.

 

I prefer Black Note and Bourbon Barrel Plead the 5th over anything Founders, but the variety and increased availability they have wins the crown (KBS, Backwoods Bastard, CBS, Better Half, Sweet Repute). I know These are hard to get too, but much easier than BN & BBPt5.

 

Jack's Abby (though limited in use right now, they are doing it right).

BTW, I hate when companies refer to it as their "Barrel Program"...are their other beers their "Non Barrel Program?"

 

Goose Island for Illinois, I'd agree that FW is where it's at in California (although I haven't had Lost Abbey's stuff). Probably New Glarus for Wisconsin.

This is based on what I've tried, so it's hardly definitive!