Today in the beer world it seems the words “bourbon barrel-aged” are in front of every beer that’s not a lager or an IPA.
Why are bourbon barrels being used, and what does it all mean for beer?
Brief History Of Beer and Wooden Barrels
Wooden barrels have been used for 2000 years to hold everything from beer, water, wine, olive oil, and even fish paste.
The Vikings, Celts, and ‘barbarians” are responsible for the great gift of barrels.
Rome integrated them into their empire and the efficient wooden vessel spread far and wide.
Why Storing Certain Beer Styles In Wooden Barrels Is Ideal
Wooden barrels are ideal for certain beer styles for two main reasons. The barrel imparts flavor on the beer, and the space in the grain of wood allows for small amounts of oxygen to pass through affecting the taste of the beer.
Why Is Oak Used To Make Barrels?
- Oak is flexible enough to be bent and crafted
- Oak has the proper grain size to allow just the right amount of oxygen to pass through it
- Oak is strong enough to withstand the pressure from carbonated beer
- When toasted Oak can impart flavors that other woods do not.
How Beer Found Its Way Into Bourbon Barrels
US law states that whiskey designated “straight bourbon” must be aged for a minimum of 2 years in “new American oak.”
This means that barrels cannot be reused by distillers to make new batches of bourbon. This also means that old barrels needed a purpose.
In 1992 the first commercial “Bourbon Barrel-Aged” beer was brewed in Chicago by Greg Hall of Goose Island Brewing. The barrels were provided by Jim Beam.
Chicago is perfectly positioned up the Mississippi from Kentucky so the ability to transport large number of barrels on boats made the whole operation feasible.
Bourbon Barrels Can Impart Flavors Of:
- Bourbon
- Toasted Coconut
- Rich Vanilla
- Sherry Or Port Notes
What Styles Of Beer Benefit From Bourbon Barrels?
Dark or strong beer styles can benefit from bourbon barrels. The most popular style being Imperial Stouts.
Beer Styles To Age In Bourbon Barrels:
- Imperial Stouts
- Barleywine
- Belgian Triple
- Belgian Dark Strong (Quad)
Today bourbon barrels are exported from Kentucky to countries as far as Scotland and India.
Breweries all over the United States have jumped into the barrel ageing game, and this means that prices are rising for both the barrels and the beer.
Brewers need to charge a premium for well crafted beers that can take months to years to brew and age.
It’s not uncommon for 500ml or 750ml bottles to command $20 to $40 a pop!
Most often the production of these beers is limited raising the demand (and resale price).
Goose Island is notorious for releasing their famous original Bourbon County line on Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving). People wait in freezing temperatures for hours to score their precious stouts!
Producers To Try:
- Goose Island’s Bourbon County Line
- Firestone Brewing
- Founders Brewing
- The Bruery
- Bottle Logic
- Great Divide Brewing
- Freemont Brewing
What Foods Pair With Bourbon Barrel-Aged Beers?
Very rich dessert and salty blue cheese like Stilton are wonderful with bourbon barrel-aged beers.
These beers are usually consumed during the winter months and due to their alcohol ranging from 10%-%22, these beers are designed to be shared.
Bourbon barrel-aged beers can evolve for years if stored properly. Look to keep them upright, in a cool place.
These are sturdy beers so they can stand some travel and won’t be damaged when kept at room temperature.
Warmer temperatures accelerate the ageing process, and very cold temperatures will slow it down.
I recommend buying a few bottles to open over the years to check in on their development.
Young and just released bourbon barrel-aged beers may taste a bit out of balance, boozy, and woody.
Over time the flavors will integrate, the boozy taste will diminish, and a chocolate fudge-like mouthfeel can develop.
Hunting down and finding world class bourbon barrel-aged beers is half the fun, the other half is sharing them with friends.
Cheers!
