Beer Barrel aged Bourbon?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by pitweasel, Oct 24, 2013.

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  1. pitweasel

    pitweasel Initiate (0) Jun 11, 2007 New York

    I'm gonna level with you guys: I don't know anything about liquor. But I was just struck with a curious thought...

    Could barrel aging go the other way?

    What if a brewery aged their beer in virgin oak barrels, then sold them to someone to use for their bourbon? I'm not suggesting that this would actually produce a desirable result, but would it theoretically come up with a beer-hinted bourbon?
     
  2. CassinoNorth

    CassinoNorth Initiate (0) Apr 5, 2013 New Jersey

  3. ncstateplaya

    ncstateplaya Maven (1,269) Nov 8, 2008 North Carolina

  4. Gilmango

    Gilmango Initiate (0) Jul 17, 2007 California

    Bourbon is pretty strictly regulated and needs to be aged in a new charred oak barrel I believe so it would not be allowed with Bourbon but certainly could be done with some other spirit without such regulations. However I don't really think much beer flavor would come through unless perhaps you had something like a sour beer in the barrel.

    EDIT - from the posts above I see they got around the regulation by first ageing in the new oak barrel and only then going into the beer barrel. Anyone tried that and, if so, could you detect any beer elements?
     
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  5. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    New Holland Brewing has done a couple things that approach what you are suggesting. This brewery has a small distiller's license and has made a Beer Barrel Bourbon that used former bourbon barrels that were used to age their Dragon's Milk (and I believe the Pilgrim's Dole Wheatwine, although I'm not sure about the wheatwine). They also have distilled a tequila using hops (or hop flavoring) called Hopquila. I have not had the Hopquila, but I have a fifth of the Beer Barrel Bourbon. I cannot taste any residue from the beer that was in the barrels, so that beverage does not offer what you might think (or hope) it should in the way of flavor.

    Edit: Well it appears that I type too slowly. (Or say too much.)
     
  6. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

  7. crashdavisinoh

    crashdavisinoh Zealot (594) May 24, 2010 Ohio
    Trader

    I have had the bourbon and agree w/ the above post...not much of the beer comes through (not surprising really) but still enjoy it. I love the hopquila though...love it.
     
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