United Nations of Beer

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel ale

by Bruce
(KY, USA)

Kentucky Bourbon Barrel ale

The Lexington Brewing Company produces just three products: a kolsch-like light, a light brown ale, and its premium Kentucky Bourbon Barrel ale.

The brewery is an offshoot of Alltech, a global supplier of yeast for agricultural purposes. Alltech's founder is an Irishman and biochemist who put himself through university while employed at Guinness. He originally made beer on a private basis for the enjoyment of his employees (how would you like to work for this guy?!), then acquired a brewery that dated to 1794 and began commercial production.

Bourbon Barrel capitalizes on the Bluegrass State's enthusiasm for all things bourbon and its abundant natural (i.e., grain and a vast limestone aquifer) and manmade resources. New oak barrels can only be used once to produce bourbon, and then become a much-desired global commodity for re-use by distilleries, wineries and now breweries.

Since Alltech acquires used bourbon barrels on the open market and therefore from different distillers, each batch of Bourbon Barrel will have a different flavor profile.

The first four-pack I sampled smelled strongly of rum and had unctuous coconut flavors to match.

It would have made a good chaser for shots of rum, and struck me as more of a tourist curiousity than an enjoyable brew.

This is not a session beer in terms of price or taste characteristics, but subsequent batches have proved far more enjoyable.

The golden-brown hue recalls a bourbon-and-water highball and the nose blends fresh grain, toasty oak, hints of vanilla and the alcoholic esters of bourbon.

On the palate I'm detecting thankfully muted but nevertheless distinct flavors of coconut and almond, with light malt, hints of butter, and sour mash.

One bottle at a time is enough, especially considering the $10.99 retail price. Sip one to cool off, then transition to a bourbon on the rocks.