BCBS or Similar Suggestions

BA BORIS is probably the closest to BCBS that's often available here - especially if you have access to a really good bottle shop. Cincinnatus from Listermann is good as well. We get it in Dayton, not sure how far from Cincinnati they distribute though.

 

Bah, I meant to write Insanity. You are right of course.

 

Another bourbon barrel aged beer I really like is Backwoods Bastard. It isn't a stout, but it IMO has great bourbon character. Though may be hard to get your hands on like most things being suggested here.

 

If you do end up trading for BCBS, consider getting him Bourbon County Barleywine too, great bourbon character, but quite a bit different than BCBS obviously. There's a good chance anyone with BCBS will also have BCBBW.

 

Parabola is really as close as you'll get as far as mouthfeel is concerned. For me, BCBS is the gold standard of barrel-aged stouts. Accept no substitute.

 

Central waters BBS is very good (they did have some infection last years 2nd batch) also love CS Very Angry Beast

 

How about BCBS variants? Like coffee, Barleywine, or prop or something like that. These shouldn't too hard to acquire if you trade.

 

Devil Over a Barrel is awesome. I wish it was released yearly, from my understanding it's only been released twice (2008 and 2014) and in limited quantities.

 

Yeah, apart from Bourbon County variants (coffee/cherry/et al) Parabola is the closest in terms of boldness of texture. I find it a bit oilier and a tad less sweet, but it's still pretty close.

 

If your friend liked the bourbon character of the BCBS then Arcadia's Shipwreck Porter could be equally appreciated by him. It is listed at 12% ABV so I don't know if that excludes it from Ohio, or if over-12 is the rule. It is usually $7-$8 per 12 oz. bottle, and it isn't as much in demand so that it may still be available on store shelves from last year. This year's version is supposed to be released in mid-September. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/454/65809/

 

Come to think of it, though an imperial smoked porter, Bruery Rye Barrel Smoking Wood gave me a similar joy that I experienced the first time I had BCBS.

 

You should be able to trade for Plead the 5th or BB Plead the 5th in Ohio.

 

I can't believe no one mentioned Black Note...

 

I wish I knew more about how Tyranena releases their Brewers Gone Wild series. They're partially barrel aged beers are really remarkable and a refreshing change of pace from the 10-14% 100% barrel-aged behemoths that are out there. DOAB is still on some shelves around the state. It's the perfect beer to throw in a trade as an extra.

 

Fully agree with the recommendations made by the others and just wanted to add the Central Waters and Local Option collaboration La Petite Mort. It's a bourbon barrel aged weizenbock and it was delicious. I realize that it's not a stout but finding new stuff is more than half the fun of enjoying craft beer.

 

Hey man. If this is really important to ya and you find yourself having some trouble, gimme a shout. If you sent me a label to cover shipping and the cost of the beer, I could perhaps mail you out a little 4 pack mixer of the stuff mentioned in this thread...

 

@BeerMeBro720 Find him a Parabola and a Sucaba, call it a night! I'm sure he will love ya forever....or until the next morning.

 

I haven't had it yet but since you're in Ohio what about BA Blackout?