Best Barrel Program, State by State

I think the Bruery does great work in the barrel aged department!

 

I actually forgot about that one. I had only ever heard of it once before, never have actually seen it for sale so it slipped my mind. Chestnut Brew Works in Morgantown is considering getting a wine barrel or 2 to do some wild aged beers. Other than that, your right....it sucks.

 

Bottle condition wiild ales are always a gamble. Also, the brewers and barrel wranglers at avery suggest drinking their beers sooner rather than later as they have done the aging for you. Their BA stout and pumpkin ale as well as momi hiwa have all stood up to aging very well. I have recently had a batch 1 uncle jacobs, and it is better now than when it was fresh.

 

agreed, that vintage is drinking fantastic right now

 

I would love to see what he could do with a wine barrel. I absolutely love his beers.

 

Fifteen was definitely one of the best barrel aged imperial stouts I have ever had. Too bad I won't be able to get any Sixteen this time.

 

Does North Dakota have one?

 

Agreed, but O'so is doing some pretty cool things if you like sours, so in a couple years you may at least hesitate for a sec before putting down CW.

 

Siren Noire is tasting amazing this year. Grab it and drink it immediately. Greater Pumpkin is excellent, but usually needs a few months to really mellow.

 

For Louisiana, thus far I'd say Bayou Teche, but Abita and NOLA are both upping their barrel game. NOLA especially is featuring many barrel-aged brews on tap in their taproom so I'd like to try more. Bayou Teche has bottled a few, all of which have been solid IMO

 

Charred Walls of the Damned and Killdozer are both barrel aged beeeeauties. Unfortunately not available year round.

 

De Garde and Ale Apothecary... considering AA's beers all ferment in oak, it's hard to argue that any beer they make ISN'T past of their "barrel program"....

 

Sorry, Goose is and always will be king.... they are the granddaddy of bbl aging beers being a regular ol' thing. plus, they have the largest quantity of bbls in the country, and are about to lap it's nearest competitors 10 fold in the next year. can anyone say 25,000-35,000 bbls??

 

I live in Illinois and work in Missouri so I claim both.I'd have to say Goose Island in Illinois and agree with Perennial and Side Project in Missouri as far as breweries go.The beautiful thing about living near St.Louis is that The Wine And Cheese Place here also has a Barrel Program and uses various barrels they've purchased to age beers from numerous local breweries including Perennial,Side Project,4Hands,Charleville,Schlafly and 2nd Shift to name a few.

 

Side Project yes, Perennial no. IMO. Boulevard's barrel-aged offerings are superior to Perennial's portfolio.

 

Kane for NJ

 

Central Waters by a landslide in WI. They consistently put out phenomenal BA beers for the price. Even their "infected" PM is good IMO. Tyranena also does a fine job.

 

I think Kane is the only brewery in NJ with a notable barrel program lol
I'd love for a few others to step up and give them a little competition in that category.

 

I agree with Red Brick based on their last two years. From 17th/20th anniversary to Lost Years (which explains going from 17 to 20) and Beard Envy, they have really knocked it out of the park. Without their barrel - aging program, they are average and that's why I would choose Red Brick as the best.

I do think that BB Drafty Kilt is a sign of things to come for Monday Night. It was a phenomenal beer so I can't wait to see what they come up with.

 

I feel Lost Abbey has a more diverse profile with their barrels than FW. Their aged stouts are world class and so are their sours.