About
Barreled Souls Brewing Co. is owned and operated by Chris Schofield and Matthew Mills. Chris and Matt both grew up in Wells, ME and have been friends since the fourth grade. The idea of opening a brewery together came up many times over the years, usually while imbibing on some stellar examples of the craft. The conversation got serious in the summer of 2012 and two years later Barreled Souls was open for business.
Matt and Chris set out to create the kind of beers they would want to drink and the kind of brewery they would want to spend time at. This meant focusing on making a large variety of beers, using unique ingredients and processes paired with a large, comfortable and professionally run tasting room that carries 12 varieties on draft.
The brewery operates a fifty gallon brewing system. All of the beer produced at the brewery undergoes primary fermentation in oak barrels. The fermentation system is based off of the Burton Union system, which was a method of fermenting beer developed in England in the 1800’s. The benefits of this system are really three-fold.
Matt and Chris set out to create the kind of beers they would want to drink and the kind of brewery they would want to spend time at. This meant focusing on making a large variety of beers, using unique ingredients and processes paired with a large, comfortable and professionally run tasting room that carries 12 varieties on draft.
The brewery operates a fifty gallon brewing system. All of the beer produced at the brewery undergoes primary fermentation in oak barrels. The fermentation system is based off of the Burton Union system, which was a method of fermenting beer developed in England in the 1800’s. The benefits of this system are really three-fold.
7.6/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
500mL bottled 03/05/2024, #727/1200, drunk 09/10/2026.
Just a slight bit of leaden-like bourbon up front. Very understated, dry, with light spirit. No big spice or sweetness to it, though the caramel comes quick on its heels to add the requisite malt sweetness for balance. Classic notes of cherry, vanilla, oak and a touch of roasted chocolate paint a pretty well-rounded picture from the nose. No alcohol noted.
Very soft, full-textured, malty and rather sweet, at least initially. Bourbon is woven nicely throughout the palate with light spice, lots of vanilla, cherry, wood and spirit. For 2.5 months old this is in perfect condition, but does seem just a bit too sweet overall. Tons of rich caramel-toffee. Bourbon almost balances. Not finding any alcohol but there is lots of spirit character.
Just a slight bit of leaden-like bourbon up front. Very understated, dry, with light spirit. No big spice or sweetness to it, though the caramel comes quick on its heels to add the requisite malt sweetness for balance. Classic notes of cherry, vanilla, oak and a touch of roasted chocolate paint a pretty well-rounded picture from the nose. No alcohol noted.
Very soft, full-textured, malty and rather sweet, at least initially. Bourbon is woven nicely throughout the palate with light spice, lots of vanilla, cherry, wood and spirit. For 2.5 months old this is in perfect condition, but does seem just a bit too sweet overall. Tons of rich caramel-toffee. Bourbon almost balances. Not finding any alcohol but there is lots of spirit character.
Tried
from Bottle
at
Barreled Souls Brewing Company
on 10 Sep 2026
at 17:04
8/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
500mL bottled 02/12/2024, #609/1020, shared with membership group minus Tom, TJ and Chris on 9/7/2026.
Bourbon smells a little less sweet than the Heaven Hill version. Or maybe that's the actual beer? Whatever the case, there's a firm spice and depth to the bourbon, a bit more subtle/understated than the very forward and bright Heaven Hill. Rich oak in the background with soft, nutty wheat and a good mix of caramel-toffee. No alcohol noted. Really round, deep and balanced.
Richly malty with a very elegant bourbon character. Never had OF, but I'd love to after having this. Strong caramel-toffee with a soft, chewy wheat texture and a fair bit of sweetness, drying out pretty well on the finish with a lip-smacking honey-like note lingering alongside the spicy, almost earthy bourbon and gentle oak. No alcohol anywhere. Honey Pot isn't my favorite base of theirs (don't think honey added to beer ever works out very well, and it's also on the sweeter side), but the OF 9year elevates this very nicely.
Bourbon smells a little less sweet than the Heaven Hill version. Or maybe that's the actual beer? Whatever the case, there's a firm spice and depth to the bourbon, a bit more subtle/understated than the very forward and bright Heaven Hill. Rich oak in the background with soft, nutty wheat and a good mix of caramel-toffee. No alcohol noted. Really round, deep and balanced.
Richly malty with a very elegant bourbon character. Never had OF, but I'd love to after having this. Strong caramel-toffee with a soft, chewy wheat texture and a fair bit of sweetness, drying out pretty well on the finish with a lip-smacking honey-like note lingering alongside the spicy, almost earthy bourbon and gentle oak. No alcohol anywhere. Honey Pot isn't my favorite base of theirs (don't think honey added to beer ever works out very well, and it's also on the sweeter side), but the OF 9year elevates this very nicely.
Tried
from Bottle
at
Barreled Souls Brewing Company
on 07 Sep 2026
at 17:12
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Pours black, nose is chocolate, vanilla, coconut, cream, hints of capsicum, taste is sweet, creamy, chocolate, vanilla, coconut, fiery chilli, a bit minty. 8
Tried
on 07 Sep 2026
at 06:44
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Pours black, nose is meaty, roasted, chocolate, coconut, vanilla, booze, taste is meaty, roasted, treacle, chocolate, vanilla, boozy 8/9/9/8/>
Tried
on 06 Sep 2026
at 10:34
8.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Pours black, nose is dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut, meaty, taste roasted, chocolate, fig, vanilla, coconut. Boozy. 8/9/9/8/8
Tried
on 06 Sep 2026
at 10:31
8.5/10
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Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Pours black, nose is chocolate, roasted, vanilla fudge, coconut, taste is similar, sweet. 8/9/9/8/8
Tried
on 06 Sep 2026
at 10:30
7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
500mL bottled 2/12/2024, #322/840, drunk 8/30/2026.
Rich, sweet bourbon with candied-like, sweet, rich malt behind it. As with many/most of their beers, the spirit character is full and lovely, and you can immediately get a sense of what Heaven Hill is like. Raisin, vanilla, toffee behind it. Rich, but true to most of their offerings, free from any booze.
Rich and soft with a thick, chewy, sweeter malt profile showing raisin, vanilla, caramel, dulche de leche-like notes. The bourbon shows more on the finish, round and sweet, with only a bit of spirited acidity. It's lovely, soft, round, rich, flavorful, but I think just a bit more acidity and/or attenuation here would elevate the flavors above all of the sugar. That said, this is a 15.3% honey wheatwine, so you have to give it some credit for being rich, chewy, and on the sweeter side.
Rich, sweet bourbon with candied-like, sweet, rich malt behind it. As with many/most of their beers, the spirit character is full and lovely, and you can immediately get a sense of what Heaven Hill is like. Raisin, vanilla, toffee behind it. Rich, but true to most of their offerings, free from any booze.
Rich and soft with a thick, chewy, sweeter malt profile showing raisin, vanilla, caramel, dulche de leche-like notes. The bourbon shows more on the finish, round and sweet, with only a bit of spirited acidity. It's lovely, soft, round, rich, flavorful, but I think just a bit more acidity and/or attenuation here would elevate the flavors above all of the sugar. That said, this is a 15.3% honey wheatwine, so you have to give it some credit for being rich, chewy, and on the sweeter side.
Tried
from Bottle
at
Barreled Souls Brewing Company
on 30 Aug 2026
at 22:22
8.1/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 9
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle from membership group. Opaque dark cola brown, nice sparkle, ephemeral head, light viscosity, no lacing. Aroma is strong bourbon, caramel, plum, assorted dark fruits, toffee. Taste is strong bourbon, caramel, toffee, lesser dark fruits than aroma. Smooth texture, medium body, soft carbonation, vaguest hint of alcohol/pleasant heat but almost completely obscured. It doesn't best some of these beers individually but very nice sipper.
Tried
from Bottle
on 28 Aug 2026
at 02:52
9.3/10
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Appearance 9
Aroma 9
Flavor 9.5
Texture 9
Overall 9.5
Bottle. Color: Black, thin brown head. Aroma: Spicy rye, Bourbon, roasted malt. Taste: Full body. Smooth, bit creamy mouthfeel. Boozy, spicy rye, sweetish Bourbon, earthy, molasses, roasted malt. Warming mouthfeel. Below average carbonation. Medium to over medium sweet, over moderate bitterness. Very nice.
Tried
from Bottle
from
Hoptimaal
on 22 Aug 2026
at 15:44
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home, 2026 edition. Pours deep ruby brown, nose is caramel, toffee, vanilla, woody, berries, taste is similar, chewy, sweet, fruity. 8/9/9/8/8
Tried
on 21 Aug 2026
at 11:00