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

Pipeworks Bourbon Barrel Aged S'More Money, S'More Problems 16OZ is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout from Chicago's Pipeworks Brewing Company, packaged in a 16oz can at 12.9% ABV. This expression layers the campfire-inspired flavors of a s'mores-themed stout over the oak and vanilla character imparted by time spent in bourbon barrels, resulting in a rich, dessert-forward drinking experience.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.9%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pipeworks Brewing Company was founded in 2012 in Chicago by Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis, initially operating as a gypsy brewery before establishing a permanent facility. The brewery built its reputation on inventive, small-batch imperial stouts and IPAs distinguished by bold flavor combinations and comic-book-inspired label artwork. S'More Money, S'More Problems begins as a robust imperial stout brewed with ingredients designed to evoke the classic campfire treat—graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow—before being aged in used bourbon barrels that contribute layers of vanilla, oak tannin, and caramel-tinged whiskey character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark chocolate and toasted marshmallow dominate the nose, followed by warm bourbon-soaked oak and a subtle graham cracker sweetness. A faint hint of vanilla emerges as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is rich with bittersweet chocolate and roasted malt, quickly joined by a marshmallow-like sweetness on the mid-palate. Graham cracker and brown sugar notes bridge into the bourbon barrel influence, which arrives as caramel, vanilla bean, and gentle wood tannin. At 12.9% ABV, the alcohol integrates smoothly without sharp heat.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with lingering dark chocolate, light char, and a bourbon-kissed sweetness. The roasted malt and oak tannins provide a dry counterbalance to the dessert-forward profile.

How to Drink S'More Money, S'More Problems

Pour into a tulip glass or snifter at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to allow the bourbon barrel aromatics to fully open up; drinking too cold will mute the chocolate and marshmallow complexity. This imperial stout is best enjoyed on its own as a slow sipper. It can also serve as the beer component in a Beer Float, paired with vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert. A Black Velvet variation—layered with a small measure of chocolate stout—creates a textural contrast that highlights the barrel character. For a creative cocktail riff, use a small pour alongside bourbon and coffee liqueur in a Boilermaker-style pairing to echo the barrel-aging origin.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping alongside a rich chocolate dessert
• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts who collect barrel-aged stouts
• Cold-weather fireside drinking sessions
• Building a vertical tasting flight of Pipeworks barrel-aged releases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does S'More Money, S'More Problems taste like? It delivers a dessert-forward profile of dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker sweetness layered over bourbon barrel notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. The 12.9% ABV provides a warming backbone without overwhelming heat.

How does S'More Money, S'More Problems compare to other Pipeworks barrel-aged stouts? While expressions like Barrel Aged Jones Dog lean more heavily on coffee and roasted malt, S'More Money, S'More Problems distinguishes itself with its explicit campfire-treat flavor profile—marshmallow sweetness and graham cracker are front and center alongside the bourbon barrel influence.

Is S'More Money, S'More Problems good for sipping neat? Yes, it is built for slow, contemplative drinking at cellar temperature, where the interplay between bourbon barrel character and s'mores-inspired flavors unfolds gradually with each sip.

Where is S'More Money, S'More Problems made? It is brewed by Pipeworks Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois, a craft brewery founded in 2012 that specializes in creative, small-batch ales and stouts.

What foods pair well with S'More Money, S'More Problems? Flourless chocolate cake mirrors its dark chocolate intensity. Peanut butter brownies complement the malt sweetness with nutty richness. Aged gouda offers a savory counterpoint to the bourbon barrel vanilla. Smoked brisket plays well against the roasted malt and oak tannins. Crème brûlée echoes the caramelized sugar and vanilla notes from barrel aging.

What sizes does S'More Money, S'More Problems come in? This release is packaged in a 16oz single-serve can, consistent with Pipeworks' standard format for their specialty and barrel-aged stout releases.

Is S'More Money, S'More Problems worth the price? It positions as a premium specialty release within the barrel-aged imperial stout category, where bourbon barrel conditioning, high ABV, and limited-batch production justify a higher price point than standard craft stouts—competitive with similarly styled barrel-aged offerings from other top-tier Midwest breweries.

Why S'More Money, S'More Problems?

Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts occupy one of the most competitive spaces in American craft beer, and this release earns its place through a sharply defined flavor concept executed with restraint. Rather than relying on barrel character alone, Pipeworks layers a deliberately constructed s'mores profile—graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate—that integrates with the bourbon barrel's vanilla and oak rather than competing against it. The 12.9% ABV carries substantial weight without tipping into boozy territory, a sign of careful blending and conditioning. For drinkers seeking a barrel-aged stout with a clear identity beyond just "big and dark," this Chicago-brewed release delivers genuine complexity in every pour.