Beers proven with age, let's talk...

Did a side by side 2005 world wide stout next to a 2014 and the 2005 came out ahead

 

I was fortunate to try both a 2003 and 2004 a few months ago. Both were amazing!

 

I recently had a 6-pack of Belgian ales including Gulden Draak and Piraat aged 4+ years. I was able to do a vertical tasting alongside fresh bottles. The Piraat was amazing after 4 years, but hands down the Gulden Draak was the best. Almost all of the carbonation was gone, but the beer tasted like raisins and honey. I definitely buying more to age after that tasting.

 

Any thoughts on Avery uncle Jacob's stout? I got two today one for immediate (since I've never tried it) and one for aging, what's the sweet spot on this one timewise? And is it worth trying fresh?

 

About a month ago, I split one fresh between three of us. It was almost unfinishable, even for three people who like bourbon. Really hot, really boozy. Tough to get down. If it wasn't so damn expensive, I'd buy another one and give it at least two years. I mean, I'd be in no rush to drink it.

 

Just had a 2012 Victory Old Horizontal that was blissful.

 

Jack's Abby Vanillia Framinghamer with 8-12 months becomes unbelievable

 

This past years Vanilla Framinghammer I agree. The massive barrel character mellowed out some and let the vanilla come through. The first year it was perfect right from the get go, aged 6+ months the Vanilla became non-existant.

 

3 year-old Rayon Vert. Insanely good.

 

I was too lazy to read through the entire thread to here, but I think Ten Fidy and Founders Imperial Stout deserve a mention. I haven't found the point at which they decline yet.

 

Brandy and Bourbon Old Stock. This is very stable beer and will go 6 to 10 years in the cellar.

Any gueuze and unblended lambic. Both styles can age 10 to 30 years!

Mother of all Storms this hits the sweet spot at 2 years old.

Expedition Stout. It is the best non barrel aged cellar stout out there.

Old Stock ale. Isn't any good unless it is 5 years old.

Abyss. 2-4 years make this stout delicous

Founders RIS. 3 years it has a sweet spot.

Most american barleywines. They are awesome when the hops fade away and the malt profile takes over.

 

Just happen to have one in my cellar

Recently did a vertical with a 2009 and a 2013 Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi, with the six year old as the winner with a more mellowed out and balanced feel!

 

Probably a nice spot for that beer. I had a 2010 the other month and it was getting pretty oxidized.

 

I had an Adam that was under 1 year old and I've had a bottle from batch 3 (1995 bottle). The 95 was sublime.

I've also had fresh 120 Minute and a 6 year old bottle and the 6 year old bottle completely blew the fresh draft away.

 

Recently drank a DFH Bitches Brew I bought and cellared back in 2011. It was fantastic!

 

I just did a vertical tasting of Alaskan Smoked Porter ranging from 2002-2014 and wrote up our tasting notes on my blog below. Curious if others have had similar experiences with this beer...

http://jackofallbrews.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-whale-week-alaskan-smoked-porter.html

 

Had a 2010 last fall and it might have been one of the surprises of the whole year...

 

2011 Dark Lord was remarkable, while the fresh bottle was way too aggressive... for now

 

For my tastes, I've really enjoyed Double Bastard, Peche Mortel, Bourbon Barrel GBS and Bell's Expedition. Still working my way through a lot of others and I've bound to have missed a few hits as well..

 

I've had 3, 5, 7, and 8 year aged versions.

I think it ages well young, falls off a bit middle aged, then comes back very complex when older.