How much is this guy's beer cellar worth?

Exactly this

 

Word. Many beers can be cellared for a year or even 2 and they will improve, or at least change without getting worse. However, few beers should actually be cellared for 3+ years, unless flavorless malt water is what you are after. My brother-in-law is sitting on a bunch of Westys and Rocheforts that are 6 years old or so. All the wonderful flavors and balance that make those beers great are completely gone.

 

Have you ever had a Westvleteren aged for 10 years or more?
I've had many of them aged up to 30 years old. Some were not really good (but not worse than a fresh Westvleteren, which should not be drunk younger that at least 2 years), and mainly because they traveled before being drunk (due to the died yeast, old bottles have to stay quiet for a while before being drunk and poured carefully). Otherwise, my overall perception is the older the better (the same goes for Rochefort or Stille Nacht for instance).

 

I believe this dood is a member on the site. Just ask him?

 

$400-$500.

 

Wow, it's that much less desirable than M?

 

Yep.

 

I haven't had one that old, though I hope to when I visit Belgium later this year. I have heard that Stille Nacht ages well over long periods of time, depending on the year, and really look forward to having some from early last decade and even before. But by that point, from what I've read, the beer is not even recognizable next to the fresh version, and they become pretty much an entirely different drink.

 

Well I'll be damned. Here was my 15 minutes of fame!

True that a LOT of beers should NOT age and I probably have quite a few of those. I've opened a lot of drainpours over the years, but I've also opened a lot of stuff that was fantastic. Frankly, I just really enjoy the experiment. That vast majority of my cellar are a lambics/sours, misc. Belgians, impy stouts, and barleywines (in that order of quantity).

I have the ability to acquire from friends, over the years, a lot of "sought after" stuff that might be produced in limited quantity and I completely adore sharing those beers with guys that might never have the chance to try them. Are those "whales" worth it? Generally speaking they totally aren't, but a lot of it is the hunt and chase too.

I also have had the ability to properly age beers that have turned out amazing. I opened an '04 Speedway a month ago at a tasting and it was just sublime. I also opened an '04 La Terrible recently and it was a total drainpour (which is what I expected after tasting vintages over the years, but when that beer was 2 years old...it was amazing). So was that Unibroue a waste? Yup. Was the Speedway? Nope. Lots of stuff is just better younger.

I've opened stuff that is probably pretty valuable, over the years...I've given away stuff in trades as extras...etc.

To answer the OP's question, yes...that is one of the 40 bottles of Mikkeller BA X that was a charity auction. I ended up with 2 of them and opened one at BCTC in '07 or something. I'd wager this bottle is still boozy as shit too.

I have no idea what it's worth, as that's way too subjective. I probably have well over $10k in it, as a few of them were kinda pricey.

Some folks call me a "hoarder" but I think I'm actually quite the opposite. I give beer away and open things all the time. hell, a few years ago I had a cellar cleaning party that about 20 ppl came to and I opened in excess of 100 bottles of stuff. Just because I love being around beer geeks.

 

Good stuff Walt, I saw the article before seeing this post and thought that it was pretty cool of you to talk to . Cheers to you for sharing and doing what you enjoy. In the end, what does it really matter what it is "worth" as you enjoy it and share it amongst your friends. Really good article and very interesting.

 

Hahaha, was just about to say the same.

 

Candy some serrano ham with it and condescend again please.
Also, there are times where this beer works. Few and far between, but what is photographed is about a fourth of a case in the original Triple Bock cardboard. Easily the most sturdy beer bos that has ever existed and the only one suitable for Southampton Double Eisbock, K Raspberry Eisbock, and older Drake's nips.

But seriously, candy some serrano ham with it.

 

You are jumping to conclusions sir. I don't go down the "candy some serrano ham" route either. I drink that ish, 30% + rDev like.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/111/?ba=davey101

I actually like the beer and I've had around 5 bottles now. Would I cellar a 1/4 case of it though? Hell no! Your list of best beers to age is seriously lacking by the way.

 

Ok.

 

Came across the article somehow, and then was delighted to see your (response) post.

Anyway, I'm just curious what someone with a cellar like that drinks on a regular basis.. I know you said you open/share things frequently; is the cellar your main source for daily beer drinking or do you buy "shelf" beers to drink instead?

 

About $3.50

 

It really totally depends. Generally, I drink Orval and locals and I keep those downstairs in my easy to reach fridge. Sometimes I put something on my kegerator but usually my everyday go to stuff is in my on deck region. I do frequently sweep through the cellar and put things in the on deck fridges. Stuff I don't think has aged well or things I am dubious about, I try it on myself first.

Case and point, I opened that crappy La Terrible and now all of my 5+ year old ones are downstairs. I'm going to try and drink those. Maybe one works out...

 

I am aware of someone with a larger cellar than that in the article. I know that he believes that much of what he's aged is too old and "ruined" for all intent and purpose. He's concluded that most beer but for a small percentage is simply better fresher.

I know that he is having fun experimenting, being somewhat of a collector and sometimes finding an aged gem. But I also know that he will not be keeping his cellar that large and is refining his taste and accumulations.

 

I agree with this completely. My collection of styles and quantities is ever evolving. I would think it would have to.

 

Walt, are you seriously recommending breakfast stout as one of the best beers to age? I gotta say I heartily disagree with that sentiment.