The time-consuming task of aging beer in barrels is similar to that of a caterpillar experiencing metamorphosis. The time spent inside the barrel can result in various beautiful outcomes. Humidity, temperature, and even the wood itself, can yield a different batch. The spectrum of taste is what makes brews of this variety so enticing. After spending time in their cocoons, these beers are ready for flight and full of flavor.
Barrel-aged beer is a broad category with various substyles giving differing results. The beer is aged to develop a unique flavor profile imparted by the wood or by elements that have been in contact with the wood for some time. Many beers are aged in barrels previously used for maturing spirits like whiskey or wine. Generally, barrel-aging is best suited to beer with high alcohol content and robust flavors that will hold their own against, and not be overshadowed by, the various flavors. In the eighteenth century, some of the most famous Belgian sours were fermented in oak barrels. This allowed the brew to breathe and the communities of taste to blend.
Everyone has their own opinion about aging, but few can deny that it is a profoundly transformative experience, which you will encounter with Stegosaurus, a brew by Urban Artifacts. Take the time to smell this beer before drinking. It holds a kaleidoscope of possibilities before the first taste. Your senses will recognize the presence of many fruits and previously housed spirits. Stegosaurus from the Urban Artifacts Brewery is barrel-aged in bare oak with Balaton & Montmorency Cherries. This brew features peppery flavors, tart cherries, and undertones of weathered oak. The nose is decorated with hard candies to soothe the early palate before a rush of toasted pastry flavors. This medium-light ale uses its sour components to wash the consumer’s thirst with ease. When finishing this tannic, semi-sweet, semi-dry brew, the consumer is left with the impression of jam, jelly, and preserves. It shows that the basics of this historical technique are in good hands.
Against The Grain Brewing Company also has its hands in the barrel and has brought us a sophisticated take on the classic barrel-aged stout with 70K. This is a decadent double chocolate stout. The taste is not as shocking as similar bourbon stouts; it’s gentle and lovely on the first sip. The barrel flavor is light and dry, while the whole beer is sticky and fudgy, a total brownie experience! The bourbon and oak flavors perfectly compliment the massive flavors in this double mega imperial milk stout. Notes of dark fruit and mild chocolate, while the bourbon carries through until the beer is swallowed, lingering in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a soft yet sparkling effervescence. Overall, a delightful dessert stout that showcases the versatility of the bourbon barrel.
If stouts aren’t your thing, but you still appreciate the sentiment behind a bourbon barrel-aged brew, I highly recommend Three Floyds Brewing Company’s Behemoth. They put their classic All American-style Barleywine Ale in bourbon barrels for 12 to 16 months. The sharp and intense hops get rounded out and complemented by the natural vanilla, coconut, and bourbon notes extracted from the barrel aging process. A rich brown sugar pop in the core aroma, with marmalade and whiskey putting on a stellar performance in their supporting roles. The hoppiness carries through citrus and bitter chocolate flavors toward the back end, with malt maintaining some dominance in the center of the palate. With tons of flavor imparted in this beer, it is an excellent example of a barrel-aged beer with a surprising 13.6% ABV.
If you are tired of basic IPAs and pilsners, allow one of these barrel-matured beers to join your favorites list. During the past decade, barrel-aged beers have been perfected, with early pioneers learning that the type of wood and spirits cause a beer to express a certain way. The breweries mentioned above and many others understand flavors and profiles and have it down to a science on what combinations make the finest brews. These brewers are not afraid and don’t hold back, and as a result, the barrel-aged beer choices regularly bring new flavors to beer lovers worldwide, and it’s all worth the wait!
-by Dani Jo Black
