Pipeworks Bourbon Barrel Aged S'More Money, S'More Problems 16OZ

Pipeworks Bourbon Barrel Aged S'More Money, S'More Problems 16OZ is a 13.5% ABV bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout in a 16oz can from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Company. The base recipe holds a 92 on BeerAdvocate across hundreds of ratings, and this barrel-aged variant adds layers of bourbon-soaked oak and vanilla to an already decadent s'mores-inspired stout.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company operates out of Chicago's northwest side at 3912 W. McLean Avenue. This beer was born from the brewery's "Friends With Benefits" collaboration program, developed with community member Keith Lonergan. What distinguishes the production is a two-stage adjunct process: crushed graham crackers are mashed directly into the grain bill alongside chocolate malt, roasted barley, and golden naked oats, while cacao nibs, vanilla bean, and natural marshmallow flavor are added only after primary fermentation concludes. The finished stout then enters bourbon barrels, where it picks up vanilla, caramel, and oak character before packaging.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow hit first, followed by bourbon-soaked oak, toffee, and a thread of graham cracker sweetness. As the beer warms, vanilla bean becomes more pronounced alongside subtle roasted grain notes.

Taste: The entry is sweet and malty with bitter chocolate and cocoa leading into caramel. Mid-palate shifts toward marshmallow cream, vanilla, and warm graham cracker before the bourbon barrel's oak and gentle heat emerge. Lactose adds a rounded, creamy body that carries the flavors without cloying sweetness.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering dark chocolate, faint roast, and a trailing marshmallow note. The body lands medium-heavy with moderate carbonation that turns creamy as it settles, and the 13.5% ABV provides a warming but controlled close.

How to Drink BBA S'More Money

Pour into a snifter or tulip glass at 50–55°F to let the barrel character and adjunct layers open fully; this is a sipper, not a session beer. A stout float with vanilla bean ice cream plays off the marshmallow and chocolate to create a genuine dessert experience. A boilermaker pairing alongside a small pour of straight bourbon amplifies the barrel-aged oak and caramel notes. An after-dinner serve with a square of high-cacao dark chocolate bridges the gap between beer and dessert course seamlessly.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who chase barrel-aged stout releases
• Replacing the dessert course at a dinner gathering
• Cold-weather evening sipping around a firepit
• Gifting to a collector of limited-run Chicago craft beer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does BBA S'More Money taste like? It delivers a rich, dessert-forward profile of dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker sweetness layered over bourbon barrel notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak, with a warming 13.5% ABV backbone.

How does BBA S'More Money compare to Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores? Both are bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts built on a s'mores concept of graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate. The Pipeworks version runs higher in ABV and releases as a single-can Chicago specialty, while New Holland's Dragon's Milk Reserve S'mores is a wider-distribution Michigan brew typically sold in 4-packs.

Is BBA S'More Money good for sipping neat? At 13.5% ABV with a thick, creamy body and layered adjunct complexity, this stout is built for slow, contemplative sipping from a snifter at cellar temperature rather than drinking cold from the can.

Where is BBA S'More Money made? It is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company at their facility on West McLean Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, placing it firmly in the heart of the Midwest craft brewing scene.

What foods pair well with BBA S'More Money? Dark chocolate brownies mirror the cocoa and roast character; smoked brisket plays against the barrel sweetness; vanilla cheesecake echoes the vanilla bean addition; aged sharp cheddar contrasts the sweetness with salt and tang; and salted caramel desserts align with the bourbon barrel's caramel notes.

What sizes does BBA S'More Money come in? This release is packaged in a single 16oz can, consistent with Pipeworks' approach to their specialty and barrel-aged stout offerings.

Is BBA S'More Money worth the price? It positions as a premium single-serve barrel-aged imperial stout — a category where small-batch production, bourbon barrel aging, and high adjunct loads justify a higher per-can price point compared to standard craft stouts.

Why BBA S'More Money?

The two-stage adjunct process — graham crackers mashed into the grain bill, then cacao nibs, vanilla bean, and marshmallow added post-fermentation before bourbon barrel aging — creates a layered s'mores character that goes well beyond simple flavoring. With a 92 on BeerAdvocate for the base recipe and strong Untappd ratings across barrel-aged vintages, the beer has earned a following among stout collectors. The collaboration origin with a community brewer through Pipeworks' Friends With Benefits program gives it a grassroots authenticity that larger-scale competitors lack. Among the growing field of s'mores-themed stouts, this Chicago release distinguishes itself through the depth of its production approach and the genuine richness of its execution.