Bourbon barrel-aged beers. Not doing it for you either?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014.

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  1. Ngntjp

    Ngntjp Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Virginia

    Firstly, apologies if this has been posted about previously. I'm just curious if anyone is starting to get tired of all the Bourbon Barrel aged beers out there. It seems that everybody is making one, if not more than one. I personally drink beer to taste beer. I love trying new beers, though I always have roughly a 50/50 split of old faithfuls and tasters in the fridge.

    Admittedly though, I dislike hard liquor. The Bourbon flavor imparted on every BBA beer I've had overwhelms, or at least doesn't so much compliment, too much of the original flavor for me. A fresh 2014 Boulevard BBQ (had the day it was purchased, which coincidentally was the day it hit the shelves here in NoVa) was the first BBA beer I've liked this year (behind 3 Brothers Atramentous), but to be fair, I just thought that the bourbon and quad flavors worked better together than in a stout, as most breweries seem to be doing. Even still, I found it to be a mediocore quad at best. I was never a big fan of The Sixth Glass (what I believe is the base beer in BBQ). I'm a fan of, or can appreciate, and frequently revisit every style of beer I've tried thus far with the exception on bourbon barrel aged beers (and I have given the highly recommended ones a fair shot. Never have I drain poured one and I've sipped them straight out of the fridge and warmed to around 50-55 degrees.

    I guess my question is: Am I one of the few who finds the BBA style as something that is a little bit of a novelty/fad, or is it a palate thing? Seeing as I do not enjoy hard liquor I somewhat expect it to be the latter. I really want to appreciate the style, but am admittedly having a hard time. Any recommendations are appreciated.

    I will also note that BA beers that were not previously used for Bourbon/Rum etc. I have had, for the most part were thoroughly enjoyed. The Oak and Cedar notes I have had in several beers that were wood aged were excellent, as were the wine barrel aged beers.

    Am I just missing something, or have I been trying the wrong beers?

    P.S. Feel free to give me all the flack in the world, please. I'm honestly just interested in your tastes and recommendations. And thanks ahead of time for some input/recommendations.
     
    #1 Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014
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  2. bluehende

    bluehende Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2010 Delaware

    I am with you. I do not dislike them. On the other hand I have had very few where I wouldn't have preferred the beer without the bourbon flavors. I think the issue is subtlety. As you say most are just overpowering. If I want bourbon I will drink bourbon.
     
    #2 bluehende, Oct 27, 2014
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  3. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It takes a good hand to make it work. I've had a lot of Bourbon barrel beers that are completely overpowered by the booze. Maybe the second time you put beer in it works better because some of the bourbon is gone? Maybe it's the time in the barrel? I've had a few that worked well together, but most become a boozy mess.
     
    #3 BBThunderbolt, Oct 27, 2014
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  4. Justin8mypants

    Justin8mypants Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2014 Oklahoma

    I wish there were enough around here for me to be sick of them.
     
    #4 Justin8mypants, Oct 27, 2014
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  5. hophead_87

    hophead_87 Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2014 Virginia

    Have you been able to try Bourbon County (or any other BBA beers) with a few years on it? The bourbon is still there, but much more balanced and it works with the stout base. This may help with the punch your palate is taking.
     
    #5 hophead_87, Oct 27, 2014
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  6. JamesShoemaker

    JamesShoemaker Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2012 Michigan

    Like all styles, there are good ones and there are bad ones.

    Like all styles, a few people made some good ones and now it seems like everybody has them.
     
    #6 JamesShoemaker, Oct 27, 2014
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  7. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Some are good, some are bad. Some would benefit from less bourbon (either by less time in barrels or by blending with an un-bourboned batch).

    The quality of the bourbon can also have quite the effect on the beer.
     
    #7 tkdchampxi, Oct 27, 2014
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  8. RobinLee

    RobinLee Maven (1,423) Feb 15, 2012 Wisconsin

    Based on the fact that you like wine/rum/non-whiskey barrel-aged beer, it sounds like it's your palate. At the same time, there has been an increasing number of breweries doing barrel-aging- whether it's due more to being a current fad, or legitimate technique, is moot.
     
    #8 RobinLee, Oct 27, 2014
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  9. Ngntjp

    Ngntjp Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Virginia

    What are some some you'd recommend? Ease me in I suppose with the most balanced and less overly-bourbon flavored.

    I have not tried the Bourbon County line yet. It's Something I'm waiting to see around here. I am a stout fan for sure so aging may be the best idea for me.

    What would you recommend? I though I was getting some good ones but I obviously may have been wrong. And regionally, I don't know what's available to me that is to you.
     
    #9 Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014
  10. Ngntjp

    Ngntjp Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Virginia

    I like the wine barrel as it can impart a tart flavor. Rum barrel is not something I have had any pleasure in experiencing. I'm sure there are styles that are more complementary than others to each style of liquor barrel though.
     
    #10 Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014
  11. RobinLee

    RobinLee Maven (1,423) Feb 15, 2012 Wisconsin

    I had Lakefront's brandy barrel-aged imperial pumpkin ale. At first glance, it sounds like an odd option, but it was really good. So yes, there probably is some correlation between how well the style and type of barrel work together.
     
    #11 RobinLee, Oct 27, 2014
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  12. mnredsoxfan69

    mnredsoxfan69 Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2013 Minnesota

    Some have left me unimpressed, but some have left me deleriously joyful. I think part of it IS in the tongue of the betaster and some is how deft a hand the brewery has creating the brew.
     
    #12 mnredsoxfan69, Oct 27, 2014
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  13. Ngntjp

    Ngntjp Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Virginia

    What were some of the better ones for you? And what type of barrels were used?
     
    #13 Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014
  14. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was talking to this one guy who said his friend had told him that BBA beers were a fad and are going to fade in popularity soon. Crazy talk.
     
    #14 Immortale25, Oct 27, 2014
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  15. kdb150

    kdb150 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Most of them are not very good, but I am in no way sick of the ones that are.
     
    #15 kdb150, Oct 27, 2014
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  16. Immortale25

    Immortale25 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,775) May 13, 2011 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    BCBS
    BCBCS
    FW Parabola
    Thirsty Dog Wulver
    Weyerbacher Insanity
    Saint Arnold Bishop's Barrel 1
    KBS
    Sucaba (Might be fresh oak rather than Bourbon Barrel, not sure)
    Bell's Black Note
    New Holland Pilgrim's Dole

    If you can get your hands on these beers, try them and, if you don't like any of them, BBA beers just aren't for you.
     
    #16 Immortale25, Oct 27, 2014
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  17. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Exactly what I was going to say!
     
    #17 yemenmocha, Oct 27, 2014
  18. Ngntjp

    Ngntjp Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2014 Virginia

    Definitely looking for BCBS and BCBCS, KBS, Sucaba, and Black Note. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the others. Thanks!
     
    #18 Ngntjp, Oct 27, 2014
  19. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    I've only tried one and didn't like it so I never tried another. I have a neighbor who goes apeshit over bba beer so maybe this year, I'll try again. But as long as what I like is readily available, it doesn't matter what else is out there since if it's out there, someone must like it.
     
    #19 otispdriftwood, Oct 27, 2014
  20. Shroud0fdoom

    Shroud0fdoom Initiate (0) Oct 31, 2013 Maryland

    I put emphasis on Wulver. That brew is insanely good. Well IMO.
     
    #20 Shroud0fdoom, Oct 27, 2014
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