Is Central Waters BBA Stout A Poor Man's Bourbon County?

Haven't had CW BBAS it in a couple of years, but I don't remember finding much similarity in the two.

 

It is not a poor mans anything its a great barrel aged imperial stout in its out right its not supposed to be like bcbs at all. To get the full experience of CW BBAS you should pick up a 6 pack of satin solitude its the imperial stout that serves as the base for the reserve series BA stouts (not the anniversary's). Its supposed to be barrel aged satin solitude not a bcbs competitor or replacement.

We do however, agree that it is a great beer.

 

Nope

 

I've actually done a side by side with this these beers and Rare because I initially thought it was similar to BCBS. After the tasting I realized there was quite a difference. Body of the CW BB Reserve stout was thinner and the flavor profile was more vanilla forward. Both are awesome stouts, but different when you try them together

 

Their barrel series is awesome. BCBS is way more complex in flavor, mouthfeel, abv, etc.. However, CW barrel aged stout is tasty in its own way. It is a thinner bodied beer. It's a different way of interpreting the style. It's still very tasty, very well crafted, a more "refreshing or easy drinking" ba stout. Also, for the accessibility and price point compared to BCBS, it's a winner. Their anniversary beers are amazing. 17 was wonderful last week on tap in Madison. Going to crack my bottle this fall.

 

I will start by saying that I currently have over a case of this beer in my cellar as it is easily my go to BA stout. With that said you maybe stretching it a bit. I will say there brewers reserve beers are stellar and their anniversary beers are even better but Bourbon County is pretty much in a class by itself although this year's Bourbon County was sub-par in my opinion top to bottom. I guess tastes do vary.

 

Qualify any of CW's barrel brews as a poor man's anything does a MAJOR disservice to a brewery that is hands down one of the best barrel programs, period!

 

I agree with above- CW BBA stout is excellent but it doesn't have the body of BCBS. I've also found it doesn't age as well as BCBS. Somehow the CW beer seems even thinner as some of the roasty malt flavor drops off.

 

CW BB stout is just a slight step under BCBS in my opinion. But I think CW anniversary barrel aged stouts, Sixteen and Seventeen are both better than regular BCBS.

 

I'll echo a few of the other comments and say "nope". It seems like the brewers have totally different goals with these beers. My impressions are actually the opposite of WynnDavis in that I think CW is more complex. The barrel ageing is subtle enough to allow the base beer to come through. I don't get the dark fruits that the OP mentions; I get more nuttiness, slight smoke, and oak. It's a little on the thin side, as some have mentioned, and actually kinda dry for the style, all of which are pretty much the opposite of BCBS.

Now, in saying CW is more complex, I don't want to knock BCBS. It's a great beer, but it's a beer that just wallops you over the head with bourbon. It's a bourbon sledgehammer. A fantastic, delicious bourbon sledgehammer, but not exactly the epitome of subtlety or complexity.

 

It's pretty good, but in a different league, IMO.

 

Its not cheap to enjoy Central Waters bourbon barrel stout. Last time I landed a case it was like 80$ Worth every penny but not a poor mans beer by any means.

 

I think Bourbon County is richer and offers more. CW BBA is by no means bad...just not as good.

 

Let me see... I paid about $19 after tax and bottle deposit for a 4-pack of Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout...

And I paid about $24 for a 4-pack of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout...

I want to ask you, my fellow advocate, do you know any poor man who is willing to pay nineteen dollars for a four pack of beer?

 

They're different. Sometimes I'd prefer the CW though.

 

I find that it's more similar to KBS without the coffee influence than BCBS.

 

I don think they are similar at all. It is just a solid afforadable BBA stout. Better than Dragons Milk but not close to BCBS. It is closer to KBS minus the coffee with its thin body and mouthfeel.

 

$19 for a 4pk of CW BBS?! Yikes, I'm glad I don't have to pay PA prices, it's around $13 per 4pk here.

Often when I'm not in the mood for a super thick, sweet, meal in a glass stout like BCBS, CW BBS is the perfect BA stout option.

 

CW BBA Stout is the Smart Man's Bourbon County - because it is far more accessible in terms of quantity and price.