Cellar Reviews (2021)

Truer words have never been said.

 

Tonight’s beer is a 2013 bottle of Rochefort 8 with a BB date of July 2018. I think the flavors are “softer” than I recall when fresher. I’m getting notes of chocolate that are new to me. Overall, I’m not sure this is getting any better. I think I really enjoy this at the 2-3 year mark. There are at least another dozen of these in the cellar, so they are going to the top of the priority list.

 

Dual Cellar and DIY Variant today, because, sometimes you feel like a nut....

The beer, Deth's Tar (canned 10/07/2020)
The adjunct - 1 of 2 Mounds Bars (Best By August 2022)
Variant Target - Revolution Primal Coconut Deth (10/15/21 release)



Can poured 50/50 between two glasses, 1 of 2 mounds bars submerged into glass on right.

OG Review (1 1/3 year old Deth (October 2017 enjoyed January 2019): https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22072/99883/?ba=ChicagoJ#review

Part One:

Let "clean" version warm for about 15 minutes before first sips. Consistent in most ways with OG review. Bourbon is smooth and outstanding, creamy rich chocolate (though more milk vs. dark identified in OG review). Still sweet, with bourbon strong as F and providing a nice balance.

Planning to crack open my first 2021 Deth's Tar and Cafe Deth next week. Each year the versions are slightly to somewhat significantly different, but in general improve with each new release.

Almost 20 minutes after opening now starting with the Mounds version. Didn't want to slice / grind the bar and have loose chocolate and coconut. After 20 minutes, the coconut works it's way into the blend. Certainly not as strong/potent as the mega coconut variant at this year's release, but at the same time provides great coconut into the mix, the chocolate covering not interfering with the natural Deth's Tar taste.

Let both sit for another 10 minutes to warm near room temperature.

Side bar: (Coconut and Coffee are the two adjuncts I love in stouts, pretty much given up purchasing others at this juncture beyond off drafts). Love Death by Coconut for non BA version. Also loved the Coconut Eugene released draft only in April. Phase Three Pressed Coconut was awesome as well.

Part Two:

First finishing the "non adjunct" first, accompanied by eating the second mounds bar, not dunked. Additional temperature brings more bourbon warmth, short of burning but definitely potent and for me, most excellent.

Mounds pour - Coconut did not penetrate noticeably further with more additional time, 15-20 minutes is the sweet spot. Alcohol strength noted in the "non adjunct" version is tempered, the Mounds milk chocolate though becomes noticeable with the added time and less remaining base (down from 6 to 3 oz after part one). Sadly, the Deth's Tar did not pernitrate much into the Mounds bar remaining at the bottom of the glass, but was enjoyable nonetheless.

Bottom line, it's worth a shot @GuyFawkes , and a $1.39 mounds bar + $25 Deth's Tar four pack much cheaper than a Crowler.

Planning to return with an actual coconut variant cellar pour tomorrow, this one released last year by Half Acre.

Musical Accompaniment - Dedicated to the adjuncts I love.

 

Tonight’s cellar beer is a Mikkeller Spontanfaro that received in a beer trade a few years ago with BA member from Quebec.

BB date of June 2020. This was brewed with brown sugar and it is very apparent in the finish, which has a rich caramel note that contrasts nicely with the tart and fruity initial taste. Others report that the sweetness can be cloying, but maybe the age of this one rounds that off a little. Overall, it’s enjoyable but not something I am itching to revisit.

 

Back to back coconut for me, sans Mounds this morning.

Half Acre XTRADUBL Benthic 2020



This beer contains 3Xs the toasted coconut and 2 Xs the coffee of regular Benthic.

Comparing against my OG review consumed 7 months after canning (10/13/20):

Appearance and aroma are the same, no aroma depth beyond heavy coconut. Taste about the same as well, the coconut strong and coffee takes a supporting role. Tastes like vanilla and maple syrup as well, just an overwhelming sugar / sweet taste which I thought time would mitigate a bit. Creamy full body still rich and incredible, ABV felt, stronger than my OG notes convey, not surprised.

Overall, I am really enjoying this beer, the mega coconut coffee infusion held up strongly, at least in the coconut department. I different pour than the DIY Mounds / Deth's Tar enjoyed yesterday, the coconut better incorporated / blended, though that is to be expected. Less coconut than the Primal Coconut Deth enjoyed at Revolution, I'd say this is the best overall version among the three October Coconut beers I've enjoyed.

That said, I would drink these fresh to get the full sensation, assuming that is what most people buying a 3 Xs coconut variant are looking for.

Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

 

2020 Sierra Nevada Narwhal



4.28/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 ounce bottle packaged on 8/21/2020 poured into a DFH tulip. Thick tan head over an inky brown body. Smell was of malts, chocolate, molasses and char. Taste followed the nose. Mouthfeel was very creamy whether from cellaring for a year or maybe just natural. I can see why others hold this in such high regard. An excellent Russian Imperial Stout which will be present in my cellar going forward. This was the first time I've tried this, but didn't cross post in the New Beer Weekend thread, but have tried the barrel aged version previously. I like them both but can understand why some stout aficionados might prefer this.

 

Tonight’s cellar beer is a June 2018 bottle of Maudite. Not sure that time has done this any favors. It seems to be lacking richness, but I don’t have access to a fresh bottle for comparison. I’m not a huge fan of this one to begin with, but I think I prefer relatively fresh. The Westmalle Dubbel I had last week blows this away.

 

I just found a stash of 2020 bottles in the basement, I’ll need to try one of those while tonight’s beer is fresh in my mind. Better yet, I should open a 2018, 2020, and a fresh one once they’re back in stock in a few weeks. These days, I can only get capped 341ml bottles as part of a 12 bottle mixer pack, but for the summer that pack is replaced by a mixed Ephemere pack in our stores. First world problems, given the pack is only $27 CDN.

 

What. The. Fuck. Is going on in Canada. Surely 341ml isn't a normal bottling????

I guess that is 11.5oz, which is close to what a bunch of European bottles are normally at. Thought those were always 350ml or something, though. I honestly don't remember, but 341 is a weird ass number.

 

It’s the industry standard, returnable twist-off in Canada, although 355ml, 12oz cans are quickly replacing those these days. Bottles in NB these days are basically a few macros sold in multiple formats, imports, and Unibroue.

 

Ah, I see.

By the way, I hope you took that as light hearted as I meant it. You'd think I grew up in Boston or something. Fuck is about as common as any other word in my family, and friends know that unless I'm upset, fuck is a way I bring levity to anything I'm saying. So, in my head, what I said was HIH-LARE-RE-US. OK. Not that funny. But light-hearted and good-natured for sure.

 

It’s all good

I’ve no idea where 341ml comes from, normally our package sizes are the equivalent of a round number of ounces.

 

Inspired by a WBAYDN post to pull out this 30 month old Wild Onion offering, this one polarizing back when it was fresh.

Wild Onion 2018 Coffee



Can Notes: 12 oz. canned 5/9/19, purchased 5/27/19 ($7.25 with tax, part of a $29 mixed four pack). 11% ABV. Stored in unheated basement from purchase until refrigerating two months ago on 9/3/21.

Appearance: Poured into a 12 oz snifter, rich tan brown head dissipates quickly, pitch black base, no lacing faint white ring lingers above the base. 3.75

Aroma: Nice roast coffee, a little peppery, faint bourbon. 3.5

Taste: Tastes wonderful, no pepper in the taste. Excellent dark roast coffee and malt, next comes a rich creamy maple taste though maple is not an added adjunct. Decedent, bursts with flavor, loving every sip, with flavors and sensations increasing as this warms. 4.5

Mouthfeel: Full, rich creamy body. Tingly sweet drinking at times, offset by a nice bitter roast coffee, works well overall. Drinks light ABV wise at first, but feeling the effects close to halfway in, and feels very potent during the second half. Light dryness on account of the roast coffee bitterness. Really works well for my palate. 4.25

Overall: It's unfortunate I do not have a fresh review to compare to this version. Not sure the extent of the fading of the dark roast coffee bitterness, but really enjoying now. I'm savoring every sip, the unexpected maple syrup or pure cane sugar balancing well. One thing is for certain, I'm picking up the next iteration, hopefully available this winter.4.5

@FBarber , @GuyFawkes ; @mschrei

 

I HATED this beer. I remember it getting a lot of love on the Midwest board back in the day, but it tasted like barrel aged pickle juice to me!!

This was a ways back, though, maybe I'd appreciate their more recent efforts.

 

surprised it still has a head. I miss some of older NB lineup, like this ranger. Fun accident and glad i got to see this beer again