Bramble Rye BCBS: Drink fresh or sit on?

I had a bottle fresh and am keeping a few to age. When drinking it fresh, I thought the berries were a bit overpowering and could blend a bit better with the rest of the beer. So overall, I think it will get better with age. However, if you want a lot of that raspberry flavor up front, then drink it now.

 

It's an intense variation of BC, easily my least favorite. The fruit makes it tart and seems to thin the body out, it was a chore to finish my bottle with a friend, which was a disappointment because everything about the beer sounded awesome when I traded for it.

 

I shared a bottle with three of my buddies. We all loved it fresh. However, as jeonseh stated, the berries could settle in a bit. I don't think you will lose out by letting it age. Just keep in mind, it will definitely change as it develops and no one can give you a definite idea of what the end result will be. Cheers!

 

I'd put some time on it if it is true that the berry flavor will blend/meld a little more (I'm not an expert on how this will transform with time). It was pretty berry forward and, while good tasting, could use a little time. The other BCBS variations that I've tried were much better both fresh and aged. This definitely had a tart kick I wasn't expecting.

 

I too am jumping on the berry forward train. Curious to see how this beer evolves over the years.

 

Guys in our area opened one last night and thought it was improving greatly already, becoming more chocolate covered berry like. Khazadum told me this.

 

Just picked up a cherry what are your thoughts on that one jw?

 

I had one a couple weeks ago and found it very good, but very far behind regular BCS of the same year. The berries and the rye (which I could really pick up) slightly overpowered things. I think this would really benefit from aging ... there's a lot going on here and it could be really specially if the different voices sync up a little bit more. I have one more; I plan on waiting at least a year to see what happens.

 

I gotta say, I didn't think that much of it the first time I had it, which was fresh. Completly different story the 2nd time, about a month ago. I'm not sure if it was age or, just knowing what to expect, and picking up more subtleties that I missed the first time around.

 

Damian - I would definetely sit on it for a while. The first bramble I had was very fresh, and the berries were so upfront it was tough to enjoy it fully. Don't get me wrong, it was still delicious, but I'd like to be able to recognize the bcbs flavors that are hidden as well. I am hoping that some time will blend the berry flavors a bit.

The one that I recently picked up (thanks to your tip) is going in the cellar for at least 6 months or so.

 

After having it for the first time the other day I would say drink it. The brightness of the raspberry is what is desired and when I have old raspberry beers it just tastes like old gross juice. The beer tastes like a chocolate jelly donut right now.

 

I think sitting on this is just going to remove what makes it unique in the first place and thats the super seedy splash of berries. If you want regular bcbs then get regular bcbs. Ohh and fwiw this beer was enjoyable just very different so go in with an open mind and dont think bourbon county and youll be fine.

 

Agreed. I've had it a few times and really loved it. Those fresh raspberries are tasty!

 

I found the berries to be *very* forward, which I really enjoyed. I don't know how time will treat this one. I feel like the amount of berries loaded into this will make it really unpleasant with time. That being said, BCBS ages so damn well that it is tempting to lay one down.

 

This is one of my favorite variations of BCBS, and I loved it fresh. I'm also a raspberry *****, so I'm certainly biased. I haven't tasted raspberries in a beer this deliciously since Founders put the kibosh on Rubaeus.

 

I'd take door #3 and trade it...

 

Preferably to me. All this talk of berry goodness is damned tempting...

 

Find Blushing Monk. Raspberry bomb, I loved it.

 

Having been apart of the bottle in question, I absolutely agree that it is getting better. Will it be better in 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 months remains to be seen, but it is certainly better now than when it was very fresh.

The intense fruit character has mellowed to some extent allowing for the base bourbon county and the nuances from rye whiskey barrels to shine through. If you only have one I'd say go for it drink it sooner rather than later, but then again it will absolutely hold up until the fall when it becomes more appropriate bourbon barrel stout weather.

Cheers!