Why always bourbon?

[bransona]

We see SO MANY bourbon barrel beers of all shapes and sizes. While I do enjoy a few of those, honestly, I just hate bourbon. It tastes rotten to me. So why don't we age more beer in Scotch barrels? Imagine a NEIIPA aged in a nice highlands whiskey barrel. Is it just because of bourbon's availability in the US? Have any of you done this?

 

[Craigmn]

I think it’s just availability. Since bourbon has to be first use there is just more barrels

 

[bransona]

I think it’s just availability. Since bourbon has to be first use there is just more barrels

As someone from Virginia/Tennessee, I can vouch for its abundance

 

[Jayjay1976]

Because of freedom!

But seriously, I hate bourbon too. I'm a scotch man. I think less plentiful wine or sherry barrels might be awesome alternatives, but the huge bourbon trade floods the market with cheap, once-used barrels that makes them ubiquitous among home brewers. An unused barrel would cost twice what a used one costs, but would be the ultimate for aging a fine stout.

 

[C-Rider]

scotch barrels come from bourbon barrels. LOL BTW I hate scotch unless it's single malt. Give me a shot of Jack D. any day.

 

[Jayjay1976]

Loch Lomond......

Or for that seaside flavor, Old Pulteney

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

The best barrel aged beer I've ever had is from an apple brandy barrel. I really wish there were more of those beers available.

 

[gunhaus]

Buy a naked barrel. Make some applejack. Appropriates some time for nature to do its job once the first two steps are combined. And before you know it you will have a barrel!!! Plus some really tasty barrel finished applejack!!! NOT that i would publicly encourage such behavior - nor EVER admit to participating in any such activity.

 

[JKenshi]

Bourbon barrels are single use. They can't be used for bourbon again. Many are sold off to Scotch distilleries, but that will flavor the scotch as well. That's why so many are sold off for beer aging. It's the bourbon distilleries trying to recoup some of the expense of single use barrels.

 

[phofmann]

I had an IPA that was aged in tequila barrels that was really good. I would love to make my own, but good luck find a tequila barrel...

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I've had beers aged in a bunch of different barrels...wine, port, tequila, rum, brandy, etc. To me, bourbon is just the best fit.

A barrel aged NEIPA? No thanks. I've never had a barrel aged IPA that wasn't overpowered by the barrel and NEIPAs DO NOT age well.

 

[C-Rider]

Bourbon barrels are single use. They can't be used for bourbon again. Many are sold off to Scotch distilleries, but that will flavor the scotch as well. That's why so many are sold off for beer aging. It's the bourbon distilleries trying to recoup some of the expense of single use barrels.

Always wonder what pre-American Bourbon Scotch scotch tasted like. LOL

 

[Lefou]

I've never had a barrel-aged beer or cask ale/lager.
Someone please tell me what I missed out on because I know how wood can impart some fine qualities to drink, but not exactly keen on what to look for or how to find it.

 

[Frilock]

I remember seeing a truck the other day advertising for some sort of distilled beverage (can't remember if it was whisky or what) that was aged in barrels that had been used to ferment IPAs. Now I wish I remember what it was so I could try it.

 

[BroomVikin]

I remember seeing a truck the other day advertising for some sort of distilled beverage (can't remember if it was whisky or what) that was aged in barrels that had been used to ferment IPAs. Now I wish I remember what it was so I could try it.

Jameson's "Caskmates" series. They originally had only a stout version but now there is an IPA version as well. I haven't had it yet though so I can't vouch for its quality.