Trader Joe's Vintage Ale

I also have the full vertical 05-11... in fact I have more 05 than anything else. When it first came out, it seemed like such a great deal, I bought a bit too much. I had the intent of having a tasting every year with the 3 prior years. But I have so much other damn beer, I never really seem to get around to it.

 

I just cracked an '11 a week ago and its drinking quite well. Sure it didn't turn into amazingness like stated above but it sure did balance out a hair (its not overly off balanced to begin with it just seemd a bit more mellow).
I found a bottle of '09 when I was updating my cellar list (yea, seriously this happens more than I want to admit, found a bottle of some Belgian Winter Ale from '05 down there too which I'm sure is going to be ass). So I'll crack the '09 this weekend (I don't have an '10 so no vertical for me).

 

Just picked up the '12. Glad I saw this thread--wish I caught it when I cracked open my '11 about a month and a half ago, as I would have posted my impression. Unlike the previous post I felt that it had dropped off significantly and was in fact a chore to drink. Off balance, with the "rootbeer" flavors really dominating in the mix. Unfortunate because I still have some '10s and those seem to hold up!

 

Good friend buys a case every year and swears by it. I've never had one but he's a pretty serious beer guy, so I'll side with him.

 

Got it in and tried it. I think that this years is the best it's been in years. I've been disappointed in it since the 09 bottle. I still prefer mission st anniversary though.

 

A friend and I are doing a 09-12 vertical tasting on black friday.

I will be sure to post our reviews and pics.

 

Is this available in Trader Joe's already?

 

Yeah.

I picked up my case on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Royal Oak, MI location.

 

I picked up a few in Orland Park, IL yesterday. At just $4.99 per bottle it's always a steal! And I agree with 1Adam12...this is an awesome batch fresh.

 

My faith has been restored--thought I'd share another bottle of the '11 I had found disappointing and my party turned out to love it. With aging you never know how things are going to turn out, and maybe my "rootbeer" bomb was just a dud. Now to try some of the '12!

 

Anyone happen to know when the 2012 was bottled?

 

My wife brought back a bottle of the 2012 for me. She thought the label and bottle novel (who dreamed up that champagne cork...use a corkscrew..) Personally, I can't stand Belgian style beer. This one tasted like piss filtered through a vase of potpourri.

 

That's descriptive.

 

Local eh...I am in Hinsdale...moving to Orland in May

I have 2 bottles from last year...didnt think it was too popular of a beer...guess I was wrong...ill prolly pick up 4 this year...drink 2 and age two...build up a few years worth and go from there.

 

I have a similar thing going with the last few years. Frankly, I have more than I need now. If anyone wants let me know and I'm happy to trade a bunch for a couple bottles of something else. Otherwise, I'll just keep pouring it for my wife's annoying hipster cousins at family events... Short story behind this is they begged me to open my favorite stuff ata family event and proceeded to take a sip and spill the rest out with every damn bottle. I believe I ended up solo drinking Black Tuesday, Cable Car, BCBVS, Fou Founne and something else which led to a lot of amazing beer being wasted either by not getting to it or being to drunk to appreciate it. Now, they get pours of Trader Joes and they can pour it out all they want and I drink my own bottle.

PS Trader Joe's is not bad, I just have too much and have better stuff. In fact, in a vacuum, I like it.

 

Picked it up at the TJ's in Omaha. If it's at least drinkable I'll consider it a success. I mean for the price...

 

In case anyone is interested I had a 2010 and 2011 last night, I've also had a decent amount of the 2012 this year. The 2011 was pretty awesome and still holding up really well, I think it will hold up for another year or so. The 2010 on the other hand was going down hill. The 10' was boring and one dimensional.

 

I think this year's vintage is better than 2010 but not as good as 2011.

 

I recently did a vertical tasting of Vintage Ale 2006-2011.. 2006 was hands down the best, absolutely awesome. Still have a few bottles from each year.

 

Personally, I think it's just as good as most of the beers that are discussed regularly here, at a fraction of the cost Surprisingly delicious.