Everyday Bourbon Barrel Stout?

New Holland Dragon's Milk. Does every day mean year round? Heresy released once a year.

 

Dragon's Milk is far too sweet. Last one I had made it feel like my teeth were about to fall out.

Heresy is a failure, more or less.

BA Boris is meh.

Really, there aren't any readily available BA stouts that are worthwhile. You'd do far better stocking up on stuff like Expedition, Founders RIS, and perhaps Speedway if coffee is your thing, and drink them instead. Reaching for a BA beer just because it is BA is kind of silly. I understand the desire to always have great BA stouts on hand, but the good ones are scarce and expensive by design - they take a lot of time, space, and skill to do properly, all of which cost money in the production process.

The not-so-good ones that are more available are likely so due to some combination of factors like not enough barrel time, adding in too much non-BA beer than is appropriate for the base beer, reusing bourbon barrels multiple times, and base beer recipes that aren't particularly suited for barrel aging; the first 3 are money savers and inventory-increasers (hence increased availability and lower prices), and the fourth is bad brewing practice.

 

Well stated.

 

I agree with your premise, but I disagree with your one conclusion. To me, Insanity is heads and shoulders better than BI, I really love Insanity. Now Heresy I agree with, good but not great.

Also I disagree with another user who said Dragons Milk is too sweet. It's not near as sweet as BCBS IMO.

 

Dragon's Milk.
I also wish this thread had been, like, 10 pages of people just saying Dragon's Milk.

 

BCBS is pretty much available year round in Mass these days. Still on the shelves. Also Barrel Aged Boris!

 

I agree on the dragons milk. Tastes best after at least 3 months of age. I have put a splash of Kentucky Bourbon in a narwhal tho and it's was about as good as any BA out there.... except maybe for MILF!

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16096/76499/
Decent AND cheap!
Fegley's Bourbon Barrel Aged Insidious - Allentown Brew Works

 

I really enjoyed Siren Noire. Heavy Seas distributes around here now, but have not run across it anywhere recently, so not sure how easy it is to get (first one was an extra in trade). Dragon's Milk is good and easily available, but don't care for it as much as some others. Was a little disappointed by Anderson Valley and BORIS is to expensive, as most Hoppin Frog stuff. (#opinions) Really wanting to find some Central Waters. By everyday do you mean easily available/affordable, or easier to drink (not many sub 10 % ba) ?

 

+2! Labrynth is very underrated and always seems to be available.

 

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron satisfies my need for year-round, readily available, decently priced, wood-aged, strong beers. It is not BBA, or a stout for that matter, but it sure brings all the wonderful complexities of wood aging, like vanilla and at 12% ABV is a fantastic dessert beer. I've had a 2 year old Palo Santo Marron side-by-side a year old Parabola, and the PSM was my clear favorite. FWIW, it may be an option to consider...

 

Considering that I don't mind the price and I could probably still pick up a case if I really wanted, my pick would have to be BCBS. but I realize that's not realistic for most people. BA BORIS is good but a little expensive and while I can usually find a bottle within reasonable distance, it might take a little effort and I can't just walk into a random store to find it. CW BBS is also great and priced well but I have to drive out of state to find it and it disappears quick. Older Viscosity is very good and widely available but just too expensive (although one of my regular stores had it at 10 bucks for a bit which was nice. I really didn't like Heresey or Insidious but they are priced well and widely available for me. My picks for every day would be Dragons Milk or Heavy Seas. Both are solid beers and picked well, can't go wrong with either of them.

 

What about your everyday BA Barleywine?

 

DB Huna is my go-to

 

I wish I could find older viscosity in Baton Rouge that would be incredible. It is sooooo good.