Central Waters Scotch Ale in Bourbon Barrels

This might be the best beer they have done IMO, if there is still a case left come payday this week at the store I'm buying the whole thing

 

another GB BA?
:hifive:

 

I've got a bottle to give you on Thursday!

 

I still like BBBW better, but this is pretty great as well. For the price, CW easily makes my favorite barrel aged beers.

 

I didn't feel that way until I drank my 3rd one out of the pack last night, I drank a bottle of the BBBW that was tucked away in the cellar and was kind of shocked that the scotch one still beat it out over what I would rather drink

 

I hope we see this in Chicago soon. I was heading back from the North Woods on the Friday this was released and picked up a four-pack at CW, and the bartender said that it would be getting distributed. But I thought that it might be out and about by now if that was the case. Anyway it is a really great beer - more stellar work from Central Waters barrel program.

 

BA's always seem to knock them for mouth feel but they never set out to make KBS or BCBS etc.They took satin solstice, kosmic Charlie and slainte (all three either year round or seasonal offerrings) then made the best barrel aged versions of those beers they possibly could. I wouldn't say they are my favorite BA beers (too hard for me to say any one beeror brewery definitively) but to me at least if you judge based on what CW set out to do with the beers in the first place they went above and beyond. I have a feeling people will always expect BA beers to drink like milkshakes and dismiss things that deviate no matter how good they really are.

 

You know it! Cheers!

 

A good Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale no doubt. Showcases the barrel and bourbon well, but the base beer feels a little lost to me. I'll buy more because it tastes very good.

 

I take it this hasn't disappeared from Milwaukee yet? Haven't been to any stores on the east side in months due to being busy, would love to grab some of this tomorrow.

 

Some stores got 1 case (Wine Cellar on Bluemound) , some stores got a shitload (Discount). I'm sure it's still around....

 

Still plenty of it sitting around in Madison. I'm sure you can find it if you come up for the Great Taste.

 

Sadly I was unable to acquire a ticket (i.e. I forgot about it.........) but I'll have to hit up my regular walkable spots tomorrow, I guess it hasn't been out all that long? I've really been out of the loop this summer, geez.

 

Totally agree. The bourbon barrel chewed up and swollowed the base beer. Pretty hot with no signs of the base beer IMO. Have 6 to cellar.

 

Also
Shaggin in the wood > CW BBSA

 

I agree with this, however I believe CW's is going to really shine with some age on it. Once that bourbon starts to meld with the Scotch Ale, it's going to taste fantastic.....at least, that's what I am hoping for.

 

That would make sense based on what you like. Shaggin blends back in the base beer to help tame the bourbon. It is a 70/30 blend. Almost all of Tyranena BA beers are like this if I recall. If you age the Tyranena BA beers, they really lose their bourbon notes and are best fresh IMO.

 

Shaggin in the wood < CW BBSA IMO. I like that there is more bourbon flavor in CW BBSA. Ri0, that's interesting about Shaggin in the Wood. I have 3 left to age (I was thinking at least a year). Maybe I need to reconsider...

 

BBS is better fresh and at one year than BCBS. There I said it. Smoother and with infinitely more barrel character. BCBS has more whiskey character, less wood.

A side note, I've talked to two different suburban Binnys and they had no idea if they were going to get any of the Scotch ale

 

Yeah it also helps that Tyranena has the better base beer to begin with IMO. Both are good scotch ales, but Sheep Shagger is amazing. I do agree with your perspective.