Using Bowman's Distillery barrels

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by HoppyKilaMonster, Aug 2, 2013.

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  1. HoppyKilaMonster

    HoppyKilaMonster Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I am currently looking to acquire a bourbon barrel to age a vanilla stout I plan on making (KBS-ish). A place near me has recently spent barrels from Bowman's Distillery for $109. I have never heard of this distillery, and was wondering if anyone has any experience using them. This will be my first time aging in actual barrels, I have used oak chips/spirals before. They also have spent JD barrels, but I have heard that those aren't the best for aging beer? Any reason for this?

    Thanks for any and all info.
     
    #1 HoppyKilaMonster, Aug 2, 2013
  2. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    I'd maybe try some of the spirits from Bowmans Distillery and see if they taste good to you.

    If so.. then there's your answer.

    I've had a beer aged in JD barrels. While not a bourbon technically, it wasn't bad...
     
    #2 FATC1TY, Aug 3, 2013
  3. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I know that Williamsburg AleWerks uses Bowman's barrels for Café Royale and Bourbon Barrel Porter.
     
    #3 MrOH, Aug 3, 2013
  4. southdenverhoo

    southdenverhoo Pooh-Bah (1,567) Aug 13, 2004 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    Iirc Bowman's Distillery would be A. Smith Bowman's of Fredericksburg Va, makers of Virginia Gentleman, a bourbon I and all Virginia boys drank an awful lot of in our youth...but not so much as our palates matured. Now the original Bowman distillery located in what was to become Reston Va, back when it was farm land and woods, made a "Fairfax County Bourbon" that was supposed to be legendary...but unfortunately before my time.
     
    #4 southdenverhoo, Aug 3, 2013
  5. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Supposedly, back when there was a cocktail hour at the end of the day for congress, Virginia Gentleman was the bourbon of choice. Things got done back then. Just sayin'.
     
    #5 MrOH, Aug 4, 2013
  6. HoppyKilaMonster

    HoppyKilaMonster Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 Pennsylvania

    This is the Bowman's Distillery that the barrels are from: http://www.asmithbowman.com/home.aspx
    Those scored a 95 and 94 respectively (with quite a few reviews) which is a good sign, assuming that the beer put into the barrel is up to the task.

    Is there a 'typical' price that one can expect to pay for a spent barrel, or is it mostly dependent on which distillery it came from?
     
    #6 HoppyKilaMonster, Aug 4, 2013
  7. Beerontwowheels

    Beerontwowheels Initiate (0) Nov 22, 2009 Maryland

    I know someone picked up a barrel that was emptied that same day for 48$. I wouldn't expect to pay much more than that...
     
    #7 Beerontwowheels, Aug 4, 2013
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