When Regular > Barrel Aged

Yeah, that's a style I've never understood. Seems like it emerged mostly from a desire to combine the two biggest things in craft beer: IPAs and barrel aging.

 

Understandably..

I've had a few of the barrel aged beers from Camerons (Ontario) and a couple of the spirit aged (rum,whisky) from Innis and Gunn (although I'm not even they're technically barrel aged). What are some popular barrel aged beers (other than KCBS) in New York? I'm right on the border of Maine and I'm sure that they may have some of the same beers there.

Thanks!

 

I feel vindicated now. I happened onto this year's Darkness release at a local bottle shop and picked up one bottle of the regular for $20. (I could've had two.) They still had a few bottles of the BA, at $25 per. I passed on the BA.

 

This..first beer I thought of

 

Goliat.

not a stout that is "fantastic" by itself, but I thought the barrel aged version was pretty bad

 

Backwoods Bastard. The barrel completely overwhelms a great base beer.

 

Love the base but I thought this year's BA Darkness was phenomenal at FOBAB.

Very limited distro, but we somehow need to get you bottles of Snowed In and Morning Wood. FB turned two very good bases into world class beers.

 

I must be in the minority here. Love what barrel aging does to beer. Can't think of any I prefer the base over the barrel aged version.

 

What I would do for to have the selection that you Americans have...

 

I generally just prefer non BA stouts. It always seems heavy handed to me.

 

Both certainly very good. Just like the regular Darkness better as a matter of personal preference.

 

Grimm Double Negative x100000

 

You can usually find some of Central Waters' BA beers in NY, not sure about Maine. Central Waters BA Barleywine is incredible, and the BA Stout and BA Scotch Ale are quite tasty.

 

For me the whole barrel aging thing is a bit of a yawn.

 

Gotta disagree with the Speedway and the B.O.R.I.S

 

Some are certainly busted and reek of musty oakiness, but the best are a beautiful fusion of spirit notes and beer.

 

The Order of Yoni > BA The Order of Yoni (or so I've heard)

 

Oh I'm not unaware, just indifferent. My idea of a beautiful fusion doesn't really involve beer, except maybe before or after.

 

Lost Abbey: Serpent's Stout > Track #10

Also, like a lot of others have stated previously, Xocoveza is much better than either of the BA versions by a long shot.

 

I was checking out my tasting notes and I had just noted that I preferred regular Unearthly to the barrel aged version. No oak or tannins in the smell OR taste, and not worth the expense. The flavor was more muted and not as enjoyable.