The Oldest Beer You've Had

How was that experience?

Is that a typo?

 

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=10552.0

 

I only had maybe 2oz of it since it was shared. It was drinkable. Definitely oxidized, and some sweetness. Given that it has been three years since I drank it, that's really all I can remember.

 

Probably ... the post-Repeal Ballantine Burton Ale was brewed only twice, on May 12th of 1934 and again on May 12, 1946. (It was bottled up until the year 1966 or so.)

 

Brasserie Belle-Vue Gueuze from 1981.

It was good, not great. Super oxidized, but had a nice amount of funk and sourness.

 

Good bloody grief, why didn't I check my bottle???? Brewed May 12, 1946, bottled in December 1956.

 

It was probably the 1946. Sorry for the typo.

 

At a recent Trappist beer tasting we split and 18 year old bottle of Rochefort 10, it was fantastic. We had it right after a 2 year old Westy 12 and the Rochefort blew it away.

In 2009 we did;
One year old Palo Santo, very good, one year mellowed it nicely
1999 Thomas Hardy's (last year of Eldridge Pope), one of the best beers I've had.
1994 SA Triple Bock, should have just poured it. Split a bottle three ways and none of us could finish.

 

Lets see, we have a chapter of collectors (advertising,breweriana) that have an annual Christmas tasting. Its a yearly mission to bring the OLDest beer to share. Last year it was a 1940-ish Western Brew from Sioux City,Iowa.
It had evaporated down to the neck, was black and chunky...and the opener went THROUGH the cap when opened. Two guys toasted and tipped it back. It smelled of moldy basement with a vomit-like body.There was a Billy beer (1983) a Grain Belt that was IRTP (a tax statement required on labels before 1951) and a few other 1970's vintages, none of them had mellowed or improved. In fact, one of the guys dipped his cup into the "dump bucket" (as he does every year) and drank THAT.

I have a 79 Thomas Hardy's, 1983 Old Foghorn, 94 Cuvee Rene and an 85 Lindemann's Kriek in my cellar currently.

 

I had a 2006 Stone IRS last year that was pretty fantastic but not very interesting to talk about. The second oldest I've had was a Weyerbacher Twelve (brewed 2007) late last year that I found hiding out in the cooler of a relatively out of the way beverage store (though oddly enough this store has one of the best selections in the area). The coolers were equipped with neon lights so I imagine it was illuminated for the majority of its life.

Just as Weyerbacher stated in their description, this was an extremely viscous barleywine. The mouthfeel was unlike anything I've ever had before. It was almost like syrup. I can't be sure as I have not tasted any other beers nearly this old aside from the IRS but I think it had succumbed to some level of oxidation. Either that or it was the rye malt coming through with unfamiliar spice. Overall it was very enjoyable. I just wish I hadn't decided to open it at 2am on the tail end of other beers.

 

2007 BCBS a few months ago - Good, but the 08 killed it.

Have a 97 Triple Bock that i keep at the front of my cellar collection, will have to gather my tasting group for a go at some point. Not gonna lie, i'm kinda scared of it. Got it as an extra in a trade, still wondering if this is a awesome gift or an insult, lol.
Chris

 

2005 Brooklyn black Chocolate

 

How was it? I have an '09 Brooklyn.

 

Ha! The caption perfectly fits to your avatar.

 

Had a 2000 Gale's Prize Old Ale this year. It was fantastic... quite memorable. From what I hear, these things are hit or miss. Cork was in good shape which was a good start.

 

It was good, a little boozy though. Alot of dark fruits and more pronounced chocolate.. I still have a few left over in the cellar for a rainy day

 

I was just having a conversation fellow BA who told me the oldest beer he drank was a 1902 Bass Kings Ale. Seems like it would be quite an interesting experience to drink a 111 year old beer. What is the oldest beer you have ever consumed? Any from the 1800's still "floating" around?

 

I had one last year from 2006, does that count?

 

Im guessing there will be quite a bit Tom Hardys in this thread

 

'97 Triple Bock. An experience in itself.