Ep 155 - Battle Of The Barrels: Eight Heavy Hitters Go Head To Head

Eight heavy hitters. One long table. We lined up barrel-aged stouts from Central Waters, Epic, Founders, Surly, Dragon’s Milk, Destihl, Goose Island, and 3 Sheeps, then chased down the truth about single barrel vs blends, French oak finishes, and why some 12–15% beers drink smooth while others feel like syrup. With two returning guests, we put experienced palates next to a self-declared “Bush Light guy” to pressure test hype, labels, and expectations.We start strong with Central Waters’ Single Barrel imperial stout—velvety and shockingly drinkable for 11.8%—and revisit Epic’s Big Bad Baptist Double Barrel, smooth after years in bottle but lighter on coffee than promised. Founders KBS Caramel divides the room: caramel-forward and dessert-like for some, faintly tangy for others who wanted more roast. Surly Darkness brings Elijah Craig barrels and French oak complexity, yet shows how wood can add both sweetness up front and a drying finish. Dragon’s Milk Double Barrel Coconut is polished and easy at 12.5%, though we wished for bigger coconut. Destihl’s Dosvidanya earns nods for depth and balance. Then the small-format 2025 Bourbon County Original sparks a real debate—legendary barrel list on paper, but a sweeter, heavier profile in the glass that masks distinct bourbon signatures. 3 Sheeps Dark Matter closes the main card at 15.4% with warmth, minimal burn, and a sweetness some love and others resist.The curveballs steal a scene: Lexington’s Bourbon Barrel Tart Cherry Wheat drinks clean, cherry-kissed, and summer-ready—so much so our “non-craft” guest nominates it for beer of the year. New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk Coffee Chocolate ends with a clear point: if you want coffee, you’ll get coffee, nose to finish.You’ll hear straight talk on balance vs bigness, how to read “single barrel,” why French oak changes the finish, and when adjuncts actually show up. If you love barrel-aged stouts, bourbon barrel programs, and side-by-side tasting drama, this is your flight.Enjoyed the showdown? Follow, rate, and share the podcast with a friend who loves big stouts—or send us your own barrel-aged picks for a future face-off.Send us Fan MailThank you for listening to The Northwoods Beer Guy Podcast. If you have a question, comment or would like us to review your beer, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Instagram and Tik Tok.If you are on Untappd, look up NorthwoodsBeerGuy and send a friend request.Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts, or you can click on our RSS feed as well.