Cellar Starters

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by mcaulifww, Mar 29, 2012.

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  1. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    Yo. I recently got a wine cellar/Beer fridge and I'm curious to know what some good beers are to age for starters. My criteria at the moment:

    Widely distributed (I live in VA)
    Preferably 12oz (I've got a few corked bottles and I'm open to them for sure)
    A reasonable price point
    I'd also love a solid six pack that ages well so I can taste it every few months.

    I've got an inkling about corked beers, but I'm clueless when it comes to capped brews.
     
    #1 mcaulifww, Mar 29, 2012
  2. riotinmyskull

    riotinmyskull Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2011 Virginia

    grab a sixer of BIG FOOT - that should age well and is cheap and easy to find
     
    #2 riotinmyskull, Mar 29, 2012
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  3. TheBrewo

    TheBrewo Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2010 New York

    Anything Bourbon County, Big Foot for sure, really anything big, boozy, and dark.
     
    #3 TheBrewo, Mar 29, 2012
  4. ant880

    ant880 Savant (1,179) Nov 7, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Just to be very clear and avoid arguments, I am not making this statement as a wise-ass, it is an honest question because I do not know the answer...for optimal aging, shouldnt a fridge be avoided? I guess its possible to age in a fridge but would you get better results at regular cellar/room temps?
     
    #4 ant880, Mar 29, 2012
  5. MaxSpang

    MaxSpang Initiate (0) Jan 28, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    Abt. 12, Stone IRS, Bigfoot...

    This article may help you. It has some info and recommendations for beers you can cellar.
     
    #5 MaxSpang, Mar 29, 2012
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  6. FosterJM

    FosterJM Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 California

    Stone Old Guardian
    North Coast Old Rasputin
    Great Divide Yeti
    Great Divide Old Ruffian
    Stone RIS
    Sierra Nevada Bigfoot

    Cheers!
     
    #6 FosterJM, Mar 29, 2012
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  7. ant880

    ant880 Savant (1,179) Nov 7, 2010 New York
    Trader

    That actually answered my concern as well ...thanks!
     
    #7 ant880, Mar 29, 2012
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  8. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    I've got a wine cellar set at 55 degrees
     
    #8 mcaulifww, Mar 29, 2012
  9. ant880

    ant880 Savant (1,179) Nov 7, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Got ya.. Good luck!
     
    #9 ant880, Mar 29, 2012
  10. Bluecane

    Bluecane Initiate (0) Dec 30, 2011 New York

    Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. And it's only ~$8 for a 4-pack.
     
    #10 Bluecane, Mar 29, 2012
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  11. Nuggethops

    Nuggethops Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2010 New Hampshire

    DFH has some great ones. My favorite of theirs to age is the Palo Santo Marron, it is easy to get, delicious fresh and with age, making it a good one to buy four packs of periodically and try at different ages so you can figure out where you enjoy it the most. I also have alot of 330ml belgian beers in the cellar, pannepot(and it's variations) Oerbier reserva, Stille Nacht, orval, rochefort 10, are all good candidates imo.
     
    #11 Nuggethops, Mar 29, 2012
  12. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    If the fridge is going to be the extent of your cellar, I wouldn't worry so much about loading it up with the standard entry level cellarables. Figure out what beers & styles you like to have on hand first. Then think about their availability (limited release/seasonal) and broad 'enjoy by' windows. Then stock it up from there. If you come across something in particular that you want to see how it develops, then throw it in but it seems a bad strategy dedicate any significant portion of a limited space (wine/beerfridge) for stuff that isn't going to get drunk for awhile.

    All the examples given above are reasonable choices for beers to keep on hand for an extended period of time, but don't just keep stuff to keep stuff; most of those beers are also pretty damn good fresh.
     
    #12 surlytheduff, Mar 29, 2012
  13. deadonhisfeet

    deadonhisfeet Pooh-Bah (2,481) Apr 23, 2011 Kentucky
    Pooh-Bah

    Lots of great suggestions on this thread already (Bigfoot, Stone IRS, etc.). I'm going to suggest Chimay Blue. It's easy to find and it gets really good with about 5-6 years on it. I buy two 750mL bottles every year and they go right into the cellar.

    Interestingly enough, I have read that it ages better in the big 750mL bottles, so keep that in mind if you decide to try it.
     
    #13 deadonhisfeet, Mar 29, 2012
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  14. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia


    All good points. My plan is to use that limited space to do pretty much what you just said. I'd like to get a 4 or sixer and try a brew every few months including fresh. I would also like to have a few beers to age for longer periods of time. I also have a regular fridge for just storing for a month or so.

    Do you have any recommendations aside from whats already here?
     
    #14 mcaulifww, Mar 29, 2012
  15. xanok

    xanok Savant (1,085) Aug 13, 2009 Connecticut

    A few that come to mind that are widely available

    North Coast Old Stock
    SN Bigfoot Barleywine
    Stone IRS and Double Bastard
    Great Divide Yeti and Old Ruffian
    Oskar Blues Ten Fidy
     
    #15 xanok, Mar 29, 2012
  16. surlytheduff

    surlytheduff Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2010 Tajikistan

    • Founders Imperial Stout. This is a good example of a beer that will noticeably change (to a point) over a shorter window.
    • North Coast Old Stock
    • Bells Third Coast Old Ale & Expedition
     
    #16 surlytheduff, Mar 29, 2012
  17. TWStandley

    TWStandley Pooh-Bah (2,166) Jan 15, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Couldn't agree with this more. Absolutely delicious aged. I recently had a 2002 vintage that blew my mind. I am happy to trade some of this for you as well if it isn't distributed to you!
     
    #17 TWStandley, Mar 29, 2012
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  18. mcaulifww

    mcaulifww Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2011 Virginia

    First of, you the man. I've heard great things it. I see that the Total Wine near me carries it but is out of stock. Is it seasonal?

    Also, I'm totaly down to trad, but have never traded, so I'm not sure of the protocol etc. Let me know if there is something in the ways of Virginia or the like that you're ISO. This may be somthing that is better suited for a message?
     
    #18 mcaulifww, Mar 29, 2012
  19. djs467

    djs467 Initiate (0) Mar 1, 2011 Colorado

    Ommegang Three Philosophers
    DFH Red and White
    Allagash Cruiex
    Sierra Nevada Oliva Quad
    All of these are easy to find in VA and should age really well.
     
    #19 djs467, Mar 30, 2012
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  20. Thickfreakness

    Thickfreakness Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2010 New York

    Brooklyn BCS
    Brooklyn Monster
    Weyerbacher Insanity
    NC Old Raspy
    DFH Palo Santo Marron
    GI BCBS
    SN Big Foot
    Ommegang Three Philosophers
    St. Bernardus Abt 12
    Voodoo Black Magick
    Great Divide Yeti
    Southern Tier Choklat
    DFH 120
    DFH WWS
    DFH Olde School
    Weyerbacher Tiny
    Hoppin' Frog Imperial Stouts
    and... tens of thousands of others!
     
    #20 Thickfreakness, Mar 30, 2012
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