Lower ABV bourbon barrel-aged ales

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/430/18698/ is the only one that I can think of that has a relatively low abv (8.19%), but I don't think it's very good.

 

I've had a few bottles of that one. Not bad but nothing to write home about or worth going to Lexington for.

 

It's not bourbon barrel, but Two Roads makes a Rum Barreled Pumpkin Ale that clocks in at only 6.8%.

https://tworoadsbrewing.com/beers/view/roadsmarys-baby

If you like pumpkin ales it's tasty enough, but based on the price (it's cheap) and the taste I assume it's only"aged" in the barrel for a few minutes.

 

It's been a bit since I've had Barrel Aged People's Porter, but it fits the bill.

 

While I have no specific experience or knowledge I've always assumed that it was related to the fact that you are aging the beer and generally it's the high ABV beers that age fairly well and low ABV beers are general not recommended for aging.

 

These are some that I've had, favorites in bold;

• Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout, 6.9% ABV
• Dark Horse Bourbon Barrel Aged Toonilla Coffee Vanilla Cream Stout, 7.5% ABV
• Founders Frootwood, 8% ABV
• Empyrean Carpe Brewem Barrel Aged Baltic Porter, 8% ABV
• Goose Island Cooper Project No. 3: Barrel-Aged Porter, 8.3% ABV
• Hoppin' Frog Stouts - many of them, most are 9.4% ABV
• Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale, 9.5% ABV
• Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout, 9.5% ABV
• Breckenridge Barrel Aged Imperial Cherry Stout, 9.5% ABV
• Central Waters Rye Barrel Chocolate Porter, 9.5% ABV
• Central Waters Cassian Sunset Bourbon Barrel Stout, 10% ABV
• Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Quad, 10% ABV
• Big Sky Bourbon Barrel Ivan The terrible, 10% ABV

 

Yeah. It’s incredibly lackluster, bordering on bad depending on the bottle. Customers are often taken aback by the fact that I don’t like it given that it’s got a pretty committed following in my neck of the woods. I don’t understand the appeal. Mediocre beer that spends a cup of coffee in whiskey barrels all under the control of an industrial livestock feed company? Count me out.

 

Perrin Lil’ Griz is one to try.

 

FW Velvet Merkin-8.5%

 

I like Hoppin' Frog, and am glad to see they're coming out in smaller doses. They do have a lot of stouts that I can't really tell apart, though they're all pretty good. The 5x Extended BA B.O.R.I.S. is pretty good, though have to wonder how long that is - could be five hours instead of the usual one hour.

 

Old Rasputin comes in at 9. And brewers reserve stout by central waters is 9.5. Those are the two I've had under 10.

 

Old Rasputin isn't BBA though, and BBA Rasputin is 11.9% ABV.

 

Your right. Whoops

 

My Two Cents: Why bother? I want my BBA beers big and flavorful.

 

I can relate to wanting the option of a more sessionable BA beer. So many BA beers are 12-16% ABV or higher, and it's difficult to go out and have one and still be good to drive home. I still like the big beers, but it's great to have a more sessionable option for BA beers.

 

Lower abv beers are also more susceptible to bacterial infection

 

One of my favorite local breweries, Jessup Farm, barrel ages almost all their beers, usually only for a few months so most ABVs clock in at around 6-8%