When Has Sierra Nevada Ever Let You Down?

I guess not man, looks like this guy needs more coffee!

 

And I guess I needed less when I wrote that post.

 

Flipside and Vienna Lager from this year’s fall variety pack at club stores were a bit of a letdown. Flipside was way too roasty. I recall really liking the Vienna Lager in past years, but for some reason this year it just doesn’t do it for me. It seem to taste different, and given that they obviously tinkered with Flipside, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vienna Lager was changed as well. I am still and always will be a big SN fan. Cheers.

 

There was no Fall variety pack released this year, so what you had must have been last year's pack, hence old beer. That could explain your displeasure with Flipside and the Vienna.

 

No, he’s talking about the club store pack that did include Vienna and Flipside.

 

Ah, I see. So they still make those beers...but they're only available to club store members? Now that's a letdown!

 

Yep, the club store fall pack included SNPA, Vienna, Flipside, and Oktoberfest.

 

Only a slightl let down. Dug out of my cellar an 18 year vertical of Sierra Nevada Bigfoot. Whooot! 1999 -2016. Had 14 of us and a few snacks. Fabo time. I have heard of wet cardboard and soy sauce for taste descriptions, but never had them, that was the start, but still enjoyable. Once they got to 10 years and younger, the hops started to come into play. The 2006, drain pour. Floaties and sinkies. Still screw caps back then, and in my cellar the whole time. I mean, really 10 years old and they don't hold?

 

Wow, impressive!

Were they kept at cellar temp? (I realize you said they were in your cellar, but I have no idea what temp your cellar is year round)

Also, how rusty were some of those older bottle caps?

I did a vertical last year (I may have been missing some years) that went back to 2006 I think. I’ve drank a lot of aged Bigfoot and still contend there’s no point in aging it past 5 years.

 

In a closet, against a below grade wall. Sort of heated, but cellar temp beer drinking season starts now for 3 months. No rust. Pretty consistent and cool, no big swings. And yes, 3-5 years is great for bigfoot.

 

That brut was rough, wasn't it?

 

Is there any beer that improves after year 5? I've yet to find it. I have some Bigfoots that I plan to open up this winter. Oldest is 2013. Interested to see how they held up.

 

I have no personal experience here but from my readings I can think of three examples of beers which are stated to be worthwhile aging greater than 5 years:

· Cantillon (Gueze)

· JW Lees

· Courage Russian Imperial Stout

Hopefully some other BAs will provide input here.

Cheers!

 

I rather liked it, went thru several six packs.

 

Yup, Jack has it right.

Gueuze will hold up nicely. I have a bottle of Drie Fonteinen that was bottled last year and it says best by 2037 (around there at least).

Thomas Hardy Ales also hold up for 20 years or so if my memory serves me right.

Old Ales, Gueuze...styles like that can hold up for a long time.

I do recall Sierra Nevada bringing a keg of Bigfoot from the '80s during one of the early Beeradvocate festivals though. But a keg would have a much better shot of holding up than one of their bottles from the '80s that would have a screw top cap. Also I'm sure Sierra Nevada stored it at the absolute most optimal temperature as well.

 

That was a fantastic mixed 12.

 

Have always wanted to see their kolsch in six packs but never did, so that would be my letdown.

 

Wow, just checked and I have had 94 different Sierra Nevada beers! Love that SN puts out different beers and willing to try new stuff! All SN beers are top notch!

 

The Kolsch V1 with the seaside label was a wonderful proper Kolsch. V2 with the clip art cityscape label had some odd hops that didn't fit the style. Not sure why they'd change it.

 

I've had a couple of older Cantillons and Thomas Hardy's, and while I agree they are drinkable, I still prefer them fresh or under 5 years old. I've never felt like the extra aging past that point adds anything to the beer. Just a personal preference though, I know lots of people feel otherwise.