Has anyone here tried the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale? I thought the bourbon added a really interesting flavor - it made me want to sip it more like a spirit than a beer.
Unfortunately it only seems to be available in Kentucky (and surroundings). A good friend shipped me some for my birthday but otherwise I could only get it when I was in Cincinnati.
If anyone can recommend something similar in the California area it would be greatly appreciated!
Bumping this thread to say that I’ve tried a couple on the recommendations of others in the thread that have really knocked me out. The first is the Surly Beer line rcommended by Snickers, which is a local Minnesoata Beer which I’d seen in the coolers but never tried because it comes in tallboy cans with names like “Surly Bender,” and I thought it was a wino beer. It’s not at all. This stuff is amazing, much better than anything I would have expected out of a can. The Surly Abrasive, in particular, is one of the best hop monster beers I’ve ever tasted.
The other one that I tried is Sierra Nevada, which I’d never tried, but bought because so many people had recommended it. This one is also teriffic, and a really good session beer. I think it might have become my go to beer within a week. A blue collar beer with a lot of depth.
I just want to thank those who recommended these beers (particularly to Snickers, I never would have tried Surly otherwise. What a discovery), and add my endorsement to both of them.
Speaking of Minnesota beers, by the way, Summit isn’t half bad either.
I’m actually impressed by the number of beer-lovers who have never tried Sierra Nevada.
True beer snobs would never publicly admit to drinking something so … widely available 
Maybe it depends upon what part of the country you’re from. I can find Sierra Nevada brews in just about any supermarket in the PNW.
I like their Bigfoot Barleywine-Style Ale. Of course, for people who’ve drunk only lagers, barleywines might be too much a jolt.
