I just got a 16 gallon used bourbon barrel....what should I brew?

[permo]

I know imperial stout is the easy answer to lay down in this barrel but thats not the route I want to take. I am thinking about a very strong, aromatic and bitter ale, like an american strong ale, that will help pronounce and demonstrate the flavors in the barrel. I am also thinking about a pig Belgian ale too....

Any ideas are welcome.

 

[BrewSRQ]

Definitely enjoyed the oaked bastards I've had, so maybe look for something along those lines for sure. How about a big wee heavy? Also you could go down the rabbit hole that is sour beer.

 

[permo]

double bastard sounds about right....maybe take bastard up to like 1.090 OG and 90 IBU....

 

[madscientist451]

Here's an article about best barrel aged beers, If not a stout, perhaps a Scottish old ale is the way to go?
With this size barrel you can get over-oaked if you are not careful, but if you keep some of the same beer un-oaked, you can then blend it back to tone it down.

Article:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/01/best-barrel-aged-beers-imperial-stout-barleywine-scotch-ale.html

 

[broadbill]

I'd check out basic brewing podcast circa Sept 2015 for some barrel strategies. IIRC, the first beer into a barrel after bourbon needs to be one that can stand up to the bourbon otherwise it may come out undrinkable. I guess the first round will leach significant amounts of bourbon character. Again, this is come from my admittedly fuzzy memory.

 

[griffi]

Belgian quad is my first thought but I love the Oaked Bastard...

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Bourbon.









.

 

[permo]

Just kicking around a recipe here so far. It looks like it is a darker American strong ale.

%75 Pale Malt
%10 Vienna
%5 special B
%2 Aromatic
%2 C20
%2C60
%4 amber candi sugar (I have some laying around)
80 IBU of Chinook and Nugget Hops
1.090 OG
149 Mash Temp
Big huge pitch of American Ale Yeast

 

[tennesseean_87]

I would do a batch or two that could use up the bourbon flavor first, then go for sours after that.

 

[permo]

Well I brewed up the recipe outlined above. I will let you all know how it turns out after aging