Best Barrel Program, State by State

I'm heading there post-work today. I'll report back with the latest...a bunch of my buddies brew there, so I'll get a good answer for you

 

Probably Red Brick. They have done their anniversary beers (imperial brown ales and imperial stout) in barrels, Lost Years used barrels, and this week they released a barleywine that was barrel aged. Really excited about the barleywine since it is the only one I haven't had yet.

Wild Heaven does Ode to Mercy Winter (which I REALLY like) but that is the only one they do. Terrapin has done some one offs aged in barrels but no major offerings (had Wake N Bake that was barrel aged and thought the barrel overpowered the beer). I can't think of any Sweetwater barrel aged beers I've had. I think Red Brick gets it on sheer amount of beers they have offered in a barrel and they have all been really good. I have been really surprised at how much I have liked the barrel aged Brick Mason stuff. I have really enjoyed all of them.

 

Cool man thanks, that'd be great if more BA Yeti was coming.

 

I hate the term as well. There is no program. Either you are putting a great beer into the right barrel for the right amount of time or you aren't.

 

Quality over capacity for NH in the argument with Bell's Founders. I do agree that it is a toss up with Founders gaining a bit of an edge. Bell's doesn't do a whole lot on the consistent BA front, more doing one-offs/sporadic releases (Black Note, BA Batch 9000, etc.) and extremely rare draft offerings.

I do think there is argument to made for newer players like Greenbush and Kuhnhenn.

 

I'd have to go with Hardywood, as I've had a few of their -bal beers and they have been really good. Especially this BBA BSDA they did for Mekong a while back, that was stupendous. Still think Café Royale is the best from VA, and I hate BB Porter. I wish Alewerks would throw some other stuff in barrels. I'll be on the lookout for 3 Brothers.

 

1a. Bell's
1b. Founders
1c. The Livery
1d. Jolly Pumpkin
1e. Kuhnhenn
2. Arcadia

It really depends on what you are looking for in a barrel program. I really think its absurd if anyone could say one brewery is head and shoulders above the rest in Michigan.

 

Cap Ale Midlo is putting Resolute on tap tonight. it might be one of the last places to have it for now outside of the brewery (a keg is currently in route to Raleigh for the R&V festivities this weekend...)

 

Hoppin Frog would have been my number 2! Jackie O's sours are incredible, though. Stopping at their brewpub is very worthwhile.

 

I agree, I'm not a huge fan of their regular offerings, but their special releases have been fantastic. All of the ones you mentioned have been great. I'm surprised you haven't been able to get Yule Tide, I still see the occasional bottle on the shelf here (northern VA).

 

Haven't had a ton of BA stuff from Flat 12, but what I've had has been good.

 

Firestone Walker / Russian River for the Golden State

Lost Abbey / The Bruery honorable mentions.

 

I was about to say the same thing. Sweetwater rarely has anything barreled, and it's usually only available at the brewery and it's extraordinarily limited. Monday Night Brewing brought up their stock with their barrel aged Drafty Kilt, but I'd still have to say that Red Brick has a body of work that few in the state could match.

 

Three Floyds in IN

 

Yeah I actually just got the beard envy today. I'm looking forward to trying it. But yeah I know there's a few that do it here and there but its few and far between and I actually had a sour brown aged in barrels by sweetwater at the 420 feast and unsurprisingly it was a total let down.

 

Agreed, mustache ride is awesome

Sun king has some great stuff: sour princess, afternoon delight, velvet fog (or whatever the ba version is)

 

Good point-totally forgot about all the Sun King beers I've had at FoBAB. By the way, I think it's Pappy Fog, but I could be wrong.

 

Pappy Van Muckle is awesome, too.

 

I really like the Drafty Kilt and think it is Monday Night's best beer. The barrel aged version is just kind of okay though. I really thought I would like it a lot more. I have another bottle I am going open soon and see if I really like it or not.

 

I am picking up some beard envy tomorrow. The guys at my growler store had some a few months ago and said it was really, really good. They were the ones who pushed Lost Years on me because they liked it so much, and they were right about it, and said Beard Envy is better... and they had it warm and uncarbed. I really hope it is good so I can stock up on it. This is the only barleywine I can think I have actually seen in Georgia. Been on a huge barleywine kick recently too so it is perfect timing.