Beers with more intense bourbon flavor... why?

the base beer, how long it ages, etc... lots of factors

 

I don’t have a definitive answer here but I suspect that the type of bourbon barrel used and length of barrel aging would have a fair bit to do with the amount of bourbon taste in the beer. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with the barrel guy (at that time) of Goose Island: John Laffler. He mentioned:

• They utilize barrels from Heaven Hills Distillery (he mentioned a specific year like 14 year old barrels).
  
  
• I enquired about how long they ‘age’ their beers and he replied that they want to go through two ‘seasons’: one cold period and one warm period
  

Cheers!

 

Probably another factor is how 'wet' the barrel might be. Distilleries typically don't completely empty the barrel when they bottle their product, but how much is left may be dependent on different distilleries, thus barrels from one place may be more wet than those from another.

 

To elaborate, I've heard anecdotes about breweries receiving barrels with upwards of a couple gallons of bourbon left in them. I'm an enthusiastic bourbon drinker and that sounds like what is basically a shitload, because bourbon isn't exactly subtle. You get a couple dozen barrels like that in a batch, and it's likely going to be something you notice.

 

I didn't know they transported the barrels differently to breweries than they do to Scotland for whiskies (in that case, they break them down for transport and then they are reconstructed in Scotland).

Younger vs. Older barrels would make a big difference, I would think. But even bigger would be how long and in what conditions the brewer chooses for aging.

 

Is an outstanding beer that does not give much up in comparison to BCBS imo.

 

Some beers , only a percentage of the actual beer is aged in the barrels before combined with the other ingredients. Also the time in the barrels plays a huge factor.
On a side note.. Alewerks BB porter is my favorite beer out of VA , whatever they are doing, they are doing it correct!

 

Seriously, it is in league with BCBS.
If only they put it into 12oz bottles

 

Why not?

 

Where's Tomme Arthur when you need him?

 

Try some Central Waters bourbon barrel beers. Bourbon Barrel Stout, Fifteen, Black Gold. So much bourbon barrel in their beers, I'm not exactly sure as to why beyond barrel aging time (just look at Black Gold). Even older vintages of BBS were only aged in barrels for 6 months, but it still got a ton of bourbon character.

 

BCBS is phenomenal...however I have had a few, names I'm currently forgetting, that do have too much bourbon for me. But BCBS is a beautiful, strong, balanced drink that I love more than life. Ok well maybe thats too much hyperbole, but I really do love it.

 

Most intense whiskey flavor, Barrel Aged Bigfoot. Slim to no Base Beer. All hot whiskey, then vanilla, then more whiskey, then small traces of Bigfoot. Last I had it, it was pretty fresh. Need to revisit.

 

Because people like it