Cellaring Bourbon Barrel Aged Beers

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jonheather2010, Nov 18, 2014.

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  1. jonheather2010

    jonheather2010 Initiate (0) May 27, 2014 New Jersey

    I like bourbon, and I really want to like BBA beers, but so far most of them have been overwhelmingly sweet for me (I've had KBS, DDBA, BCBS, Backwoods Bastard, Insanity and others). Actually, my favorite BBA beer so far has been Allagash Curieux.

    I do appreciate the bourbon notes and the overall flavor and body is very nice (when its good BBA beer to begin with), but about half way through a 12 oz bottle I find myself unable to keep drinking. My palate gets overwhelmed by the sweetness. I also find this with a lot of the bigger American non BBA stouts, like Expedition Stout.

    What happens to the flavor profile of BBA beers and "big" stouts in regards to sweetness. Does it intensify, mellow, stay the same? Just wanted to know whether it was worth it for me to invest in some to lay down and enjoy years down the road if they become more to my taste. Thanks!
     
    #1 jonheather2010, Nov 18, 2014
  2. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    You're a *****. Man up. :slight_smile:

    Seriously though, bourbon flavors usually mellow and become less 'hot' as we call it. The sweetness can fade as well depending on the beer, but some get a little sweeter. Bigger stouts like Expedition do exceptional with time, as a quick search here will tell you, it looses the rough edge it has fresh and becomes much more drinkable, if not still filling. The main thing to avoid aging is a stout with flavoring, such as coffee, as that will fall out pretty quickly, but some stouts can develop their own new flavors with time as well.

    There is no science behind it, nor is there any proven route for any beer. Everyone's experiences vary too, as well as palate. Start drinking what you have, cellaring a few for short term, and see what you get out of it. That's the best way to judge as no one else is going to share your exact circumstances.
     
    #2 RDMII, Nov 18, 2014
  3. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    Generally speaking, the bigger the body of a beer the sweeter it will be. In high ABV beers, unless you are talking about dry DIPAs, you will generally find a fair amount of residual sweetness. From my experience, aging beer does not significantly reduce the sweet characteristics of a beer. In many cases the sweetness is less inhibited my other flavors.

    As much as you like the ideas of certain characteristics or flavors, sometimes you do not like certain styles. Another possibility is you just need to refine your palate further. Your tastes and palate will continually evolve, at some point you may appreciate these beers in spite of the overwhelming sweetness you currently are overwhelmed by.
     
    #3 kzoobrew, Nov 19, 2014
  4. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Most are really not worth aging beyond 6 months or a year
     
    #4 tkdchampxi, Nov 19, 2014
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  5. BEERschlitz

    BEERschlitz Initiate (0) Oct 13, 2013 Michigan

    Try more rye whisky BA beers. There's a more spicy note at the back end vs the sweetness at the back end that Bourbon adds. Just a thought. Cheers man, and remember you don't have to like them. You can leave 'em on the shelf so there's more for the rest of us who do enjoy them! Hahahaha.
     
    #5 BEERschlitz, Nov 19, 2014
  6. mlhyatt

    mlhyatt Initiate (0) Jul 27, 2013 Georgia

    The best is about 7 months if it is flavored. Had a BCBCS at 7 months and it was a perfect blend of smooth coffee (not bitter) chocolate, vanilla and bourbon. Hands down the best beer I've ever had (next to db huna at 5 months).
     
    #6 mlhyatt, Nov 19, 2014
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