Oldies But Goodies - a Classics Appreciation Thread (2023)

I really got back into Old Rasputin as a result of the March Madness threads, but WOW is it a bitter beast after having a Revolution Deth's Tar (BBA oatmeal stout). Gonna be more mindful of those contrast effects in the future!

 

If i had to drink this list with no others, I would die happy.........

 

Today, I decided to re-purpose the thread via the addition of punctuation - Oldes. But goodies??

I did not intend for this, but I grabbed a big boy can of Stone IPA to actually review only to check the date when I got home (something I was more proactive about with the Lagunitas IPA). So the Stone is just outside its four month best by date, canned in mid-January. Kudos to Stone for both dates and the fairly appropriate time frame of 4 months for an IPA. But boo on me for not checking first.

So, instead of an actual review or side-by-side with Lagunitas, I figured this was a good time to drain my wayyyy beyond date Dale's Pale Ale neglected for two years in my fridge. Given that, to answer my revamp of the thread title, I'm not expecting much from this one, but I expect Stone's IPA to be at least ok.


Before I dive in, two surprises. First, the Dale's gushed upon puncturing the can top, somewhat visible in the pic. Second, the blind-tasting GF says, "Neither one of these is my favorite styles, IPA." I'm a tad surprised at this comment, as I at least expected Stone to taste like an IPA. Wonder if I'll think differently than her.

Dale's does have a fruity, more malty vibe in the aroma, but to the GF's point, the Stone seems lacking aroma - including the hop notes I'd still expect to be present in some level at only 4 months.

Stone's IPA is a bit more grainy, but it definitely has an earthy to piney bitterness in back. It isn't bright or fresh, but it's fine. The Dale's is more bland on the palate, kind of completing the reversal of the aroma where Stone was the more bland.

So, goodies? No. But given the ages, they aren't horrible. The GF was still surprised to hear what they were

 

Little surprised to be doing back-to-back posts, especially since it seems my last one was longer ago than two weeks. Today’s oldie is Anchor Steam, a beer I finally reviewed last week. I really enjoyed my first of the non-new labeled cans that I immediately had another after. That would make this the third for those of you counting at home.


It’s a very pretty looking copper beer with a nice head. Nose is a bit malt with a hint of fruit. Taste follows on the malt, but goes more tea-like than fruity there. It gained some bitterness that isn’t showing up yet in this post. It’s not hitting me quite as well today as the other day but I’m still enjoying it quite a bit.

 

I gotta try to keep old things relevant because…

well, never mind why

oops-of course I meant non-oldie. Mistakes happen more often with people who are…

well, never mind how often they happen and to whom.

Now where’d I leave my beer?

 

Same here - English, French, German, Danish, and Swiss. Diplomats and Vikings.(That's either a Warren Zevon or Jackson Brown song).

 

Ommegang Hennepin Saison Ale - been a while since I have had this. As good as I remember!

 

I was looking for a variety pack for the holiday weekend and this one caught my attention- it was actually the 'new' old beers



I literally can't remember the last time I had a Dirt wolf. It's way better than I remember and even what I expected. Bitter as F. In a very good way, supported by just the right amount of malt. Great combination of grapefruit, orange peel and peach- omnipresent yet not overwhelming and over saturated. I am instantly transported to the Lucky Lab in Portland in the mid 90s (yes, I realize that Victory wasn't even around back then )

A killer start to the pack!

 

Saw that same pack myself yesterday but I didn't bite. Your description makes long for a Dirtwolf right now.

 

Part 2:

Prima isn't quite as snappy or biting as I recall, but is still a tasty Pilsner; cracker malt with a tinge of honey sweetness, and herbal noble hop flourishes.

 

That Longliner was in the Cape May pack, but the date was from December, which made Victory the no brainer decision for today.

Still, I'll make a point to get some soon, one way or another.

 

Yeah, they reformulated Prima a number of years ago. I personally stopped buying it after the changes.

Cheers!

 

Found an east coast IPA I haven’t had in a good while, perhaps a couple of years now. I don’t see much Union Craft Brewing beer around NoVa any more, though I did recently grab some Old Pro Gose.

I also don’t know how often they produce Double Duckpin these days - I think it used to be on like a semi-annual basis. This is a beer I wanted to try back in the day when I was seeking out DC Brau’s On the Wings of Armageddon (which I also don’t see too often, and might warrant a post here next time I see it).


The amber color (near clear) gives away the toasty malt character before a brief sweeter citrus note rings in the entrance of a piney mid-palate that maintains into the aftertaste. Very happy to have found this, especially at a mere 3+ weeks old.

Your fridge must’ve been packed! Nice problem to have, I guess

 

Your thread, you make (and get to break) the rules, no?