Online Beer Tastings - Idea Submission Thread (2016 - 2021)

I picked up some Weihenstephaner Vitus just under 6 months old. I figured I'm unlikely to do any better. I may still look around, though. I mean, if I find it fresher, it will be a huge sacrifice to go ahead and consume the 6 month stuff after the official tasting!

 

Jever is on the shelf fully exposed to light and past a very generous expiration date of 15 months. If I’m lucky I can find Weinenstephaner that’s 3-4 months old, but that’s a rarity too.

 

I'll start my shopping this weekend! I've got the following in my sights:

Weihenstephaner Vitus & Hefeweissbier dunkel

Schneider Aventinus

Ayinger Weizen Bock

Kloster Andechs Dunkelweisse

The latter two would be a new for me, and the rest will be revisits with beers I haven't had in 2 or more years.

 

Based on some of your reactions to maltier Festbiers, I think you might want to avoid Doppelbocks (and Eisbocks). Here’s how to make sense of the date codes on Weihenstephaner:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/weihenstephaner-date-code-question.445327/

You could also just roll the dice on a single bottle of the standard Aventinus (not the Eisbock). That beer should typically hold up with age. I think the brewer has even sold “aged” versions at one point.

 

Good to know. Haven’t seen them on shelves in the US in a long time. After I made that post, it occured to me that I was being presumptuous when I said the “brewer” released them since it also seems like something the US importer (B United) would do. So I tried to find info and saw it stated that Schneider started aging the “vintage” beers in their ice cellar in 1999. Your post confirms that (but it’s certainly possible that B United gave them the push to do it).

 

At the best/ worst I can buy crowlers of the Dopple. I really enjoyed the Dubbel experience, out of my zone, but enjoyable.

 

OK, I’m 80% of the way to my lineup for the tasting. Just need to get my hands on an Ayinger Weizenbock. Two shops to hit up, hopefully they both have it and it’s not too old. Ignore the Old Engine Oil.

 

Winter warmer tasting in December would be magical

 

How about German-style Dark Lagers, its that time of year.
Rauchbier
Schwarzbier
Dunkel Lager
Vienna Lager
I left out Marzen/Oktoberfest, if you’re not all Fest-ed out let’s see what’s left over.

OR
The Brown Ale group

American Brown
English Brown
The rare English Dark Mild
And one of my Alt-time favorites, German Altbier.

 

How about a January testing of all of the left over beers with either "Christmas" or "Holiday" or "Winter" in the name?

 

I should be in on both, hopefully.

Cheers!

 

I'm down for saison day. been thinking I might take advantage of some of the breweries that now ship statewide and some of them make decent saisons

 

Great idea @FBarber! Looking at my calendar, yes the Governor cleared my calendar through at least early April, so this works out great.

Keeping Together and a few other bottles already on hand. Still may try The Beer Temple as well, never can have enough Saisons! Any Chicago Brewery suggestions?

Thanks for another great tasting thread!