Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale

I've never had this beer on tap to know of what you describe with that experience, but I'll agree that the bottled version is not a very good beer for what it should be or was intended by the brewer. Some people like it, but I think most BA members will give it a negative review. So, you're not alone in your assessment.

 

Bourbon Barrel aged Coors is just about right.

 

I've had it both ways and prefer tap, myself.

 

I haven't had a chance to try it on tap, but I'm not sure I would anyway. I was thoroughly unimpressed with both their Bourbon Barrel Ale and Bourbon Barrel Stout in the bottle. However, I have to admit that I loved the Pumpkin Barrel Ale.

 

Yep. I had this beer on tap on St. Patricks day two years ago and it was phenomenal! Thick with a delicious bourbon ontop of a sweet caramel. I had never had it before and got really excited to find it when I got home. When I finally did, it was nothing like it was on tap. Completely unbalanced between bourbon and caramel and overly sweet and thin. I had just gotten done talking this beer up to people too.

 

I would hardly call a "good" overall rating a negative. Broad over-generalizations are broad.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/430/18698/

 

My thoughts exactly, OP.

 

That's exactly how I've described it to people for years. Same with Shipyard Pumpkinhead (Coors Light with fake pumpkin pie space added).

 

I respect your opinion of this beer, and the overall score for the reviews does not lie, but KBB has been the subject in other threads like this, and most comments have been negative (like most so far today). I did look at some recent reviews of this beer, and it's a mixed bag, including some reviewers who make negative comments and still give the beer a score over "3." Plus one BA member who rated the beer and then commented that they are "trying this out next week; looking forward to it." What? And a "3" rating. How valid is that review?

 

I know most people will say this beers bad, but I actually really like it. When I would visit Kentucky, this brand was the only thing on the shelf at the time that could even be considered craft. The choices were kentucky light, ale, or bourbon. The bourbon was obviously the only one with any flavor. So it may not be the best one out there, but IMO it had its place in time and is still something worth getting. Kind of nostalgic in a way. Just my $0.02.

 

I completely agree with this statement. On tap, it's a really good beer. In bottle it tastes like cheap bourbon spiked bud.

I had a similar experience with their KBB Stout (great on tap, shitty in bottle). The pumpkin one is actually not bad out of the bottle tho.

 

I enjoyed their Pumpkin but it was a very simple beer, not complex at all. I would not buy their other beers.

 

Never had it on-tap but the last time I had it in the bottle it was rather "lagery" if that's a word? haha...

However, when you get a good batch of the bottled version is it really good. I do think they're using the same barrels over and over which can affect future batches of this stuff.

 

Only tried this one bottled and think its a decent enough beer. Liked it a bit more the first couple times I tried it, then it began to lose its luster a little. I think they do a really good job with the barrel, the beer itself is okay. I drink it on occasion and enjoy it when in the mood. Don't think it deserve the hate it gets around here, don't think it deserves the hype so many allude to it getting.

 

It was the first bourbon aged beer I ever had - tried it for the first time 3 or 4 years ago as I was getting into craft and it is still solid - It isn't some 12% monster barrel beast, so I think it gets dismissed a bit, but it is still a decent brew - calling it barrel aged Coors is pretty harsh! I have never had on tap, but pick up a 4 pack once a year for nostalgia - it does seem to vary a bit, but is always nice.

 

Once in a rare while, I enjoy having one of these. It always reminds me of my first trip to Vintage Estates. Maybe its the nostalgia aspect, but I dont think its awful by any means. Its exactly what it aims to be: a bourbon barrel ale. I'm not expecting it to have some mind-blowing, taste-bud-transcending euphoric flavor experience.

 

On this site, an 83 for any beer that has touched a barrel is pretty bad.

 

Probably speaks volumes about this site and it's users moreso than the beer.

 

I just had this over the holiday. My uncle was raving about it so I tried it and thought the same exact thing: coors in a bourbon barrel. Tasted like corn and honey.