What's the target with bourbon barrel aging?

Old Hickory does BA right, they're always sub 10%. Lindley Park is second use Event Horizion barrels with Raspberries, Event is a great Stout, nothing like BCBS though.

 

Yes, this exactly. Or else put a shot of it in your brew. Some people are too awestruck by the addition of booze in their beer like it's some kind of divine intervention. I like beer far and beyond any other type of alcohol there is out there, so it's an extreme rarity for me when aging in a bourbon barrel enhances a beer.

Unless the beer is aging and developing new complex flavors like a fine bourbon might, then just being harshly kicked up by the booze of bourbon is often a downside to me.

On the other hand, in the care of knowledgeable brewers that have an interest in well crafted wild, farmhouse, belgian ales and the like, I can easily see barrel aging as a work of art.

 

What a great question. I can equate big alcoholic (15-16%) Zins and Cabs- and others- back in the late 80s and all of the 90s, with the Barrel-aged craze that is currently happening with beer. Big huge flavors are amazing and novices of all description fall in love with them and seek them out and tout their greatness. Personally, I've tried a number of big barrel-aged beers, liked a few, but they are more like port than beer.

 

I like both to be honest depending on my mood, but it's what makes Event Horizion so great. It's not really a big beer, sub 10% , not quite as thick and viscous as BCBS , nice bourbon , but not overly so. The bourbon is complementary. Wonder how this would do in 12 oz formats vs bombers.

 

On the subject of oxidation, I've had very delicious beers that went through some complex processes to encourage oxidation. And I've had 2+ year stouts/barleywines that weren't overly oxidized at all.

Coincidentally, I haven't thought barrel aged beers from Avery are anything that great.

 

drinkfFind is a great reference site! Great product description and Keyword learn content as well. Love bourbon barrel aged beers!

 

Central Waters does a great job with the barrel the brewer reserve beer's are subtle with the bourbon well made and affordable 4-pks (Scoth Ale,Stout,BW,Cherry Stout) their Anniversary brews 16,17,18 (2wks), Black Gold are top tier BA brews IMO up thier with the best. They offer both subtle and strong BA.

 

I just had Avery's Vanilla bean stout and found the BBA component quite nicely integrated in the beer (though I more debate the "stoutness" of it). I bring this up only to say I've also had Avery's really big beers (those 17+%ers that almost always have some barrel aging), and they tend to be hot (of course, they are 75% higher ABV) - especially young. These beers are from the same brewer and have different goals, I am guessing, as people have mentioned.

I haven't yet, but intend to read the @ONovoMexicano linked article (opened in another tab). So, I think some are pointing to their preference, and the OP I think has the right thought process, but the idea is see what works for you. I'm in the "enhance the beer without overtaking it" camp, personally. I didn't come to that decision immediately, and have been impressed with "boozier" offerings at times.

The good thing is that, at this point, there is a wide range of BA offerings to cut your teeth on and find your own sweet spot.