New to this: Cellar or drink now?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jbdpsu82, Jan 24, 2013.

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  1. jbdpsu82

    jbdpsu82 Pundit (942) Aug 28, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    So I'm very new to this whole beer collecting/cellaring thing. I know the basic idea, higher ABV beers do better for long-term storing. However, I have some Russian Rivers with low ABV (~7%) that say on the bottle they are good for aging (at least I'm assuming, as depicted by the three hour glasses). Can someone with experience give me their opinion on the following beers in my collection, and whether they should be cellared or enjoyed now? I have quite a bit of beer, and I want to be sure I don't encounter a situation where I sit on it, and it becomes "blah".

    In most cases, these are 2012 batches.

    Thanks!

    Beer - ABV

    1. Brooklyn Black Ops - 10.5
    2. Firestone Walker Parabola – 12.5
    3. Victory Dark Intrigue – 9.1
    4. AleSmith Speedway Stout – 12
    5. Stone Imperial Russian Stout – 10.5
    6. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout – 7
    7. Samuel Adam's Stony Brook Red – 9
    8. Troeg's Mad Elf -11
    9. Troeg's Nugget Nectar - 7.5
    10. Troeg's Impending Descent – 10.9
    11. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout – 15
    12. Stone Vertical Epic 12.12.12 – 9
    13. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA - 18-22
    14. St. Bernardus Abt 12 – 10
    15. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale – 10
    16. Victory V-Twelve – 12
    17. Unibroue Maudite – 8
    18. Russian River Consecration – 10
    19. Russian River Supplication – 7
    20. Russian River Damnation – 7.75
    21. Russian River Temptation – 7.25
    22. Russian River Redemption – 5.15
    23. Russian River Salvation - 9
     
    #1 jbdpsu82, Jan 24, 2013
  2. RC0032

    RC0032 Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2009 Illinois

    YMMV:

    1. Brooklyn Black Ops - 10.5 - No
    2. Firestone Walker Parabola – 12.5 - Hell no IMO
    3. Victory Dark Intrigue – 9.1 - not going to gain much
    4. AleSmith Speedway Stout – 12 - TBD
    5. Stone Imperial Russian Stout – 10.5 - Yes
    6. Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout – 7 - No
    7. Samuel Adam's Stony Brook Red – 9 - No
    8. Troeg's Mad Elf -11 - No
    9. Troeg's Nugget Nectar - 7.5 - No but could be interesting to save 1 and try it next year against fresh. but ONE.
    10. Troeg's Impending Descent – 10.9 - No
    11. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout – 15 - ~2 years IMO
    12. Stone Vertical Epic 12.12.12 – 9 - Get drunk then try drinking this. It helps.
    13. Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA - 18-22 - Great with age
    14. St. Bernardus Abt 12 – 10 - Yes
    15. St. Bernardus Christmas Ale – 10 - Yes
    16. Victory V-Twelve – 12 - ?
    17. Unibroue Maudite – 8 -?
    18. Russian River Consecration – 10 - Varied opinions
    19. Russian River Supplication – 7 - Varied opinions
    20. Russian River Damnation – 7.75 - No
    21. Russian River Temptation – 7.25 - Varied opinions
    22. Russian River Redemption – 5.15 - No
    23. Russian River Salvation - 9 - No
     
    #2 RC0032, Jan 24, 2013
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  3. coreyfmcdonald

    coreyfmcdonald Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2008 Georgia

    I think this is pretty accurate. I'll chime in that I think 99% of American Wild Ales taste best fresh, particularly fruited and non blonde American Wild Ales. I'd definitely drink the Russian River stuff fresh. If you have multiples of any of the stuff you are interested in aging, definitely try a bottle now so you can determine for yourself whether aging helped or not. Always helps to take notes - write a review if you want.
     
    #3 coreyfmcdonald, Jan 24, 2013
  4. vonnegut21

    vonnegut21 Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2012 New York

    Let me start this with the caveat that if you have only one of something and you've never had it, you need to drink it fresh. Once you've at least tried a beer fresh, you can experiment with aging it.

    That said I think this is fairly on point, other than Black Ops, which I think is better with some age on it. Also, I personally enjoy Parabola more fresh because I like as much bourbon and oak character as possible, but I know people who find the more mellowed, intergrated flavor of aged Parabola preferable.

    Best of luck OP!
     
    #4 vonnegut21, Jan 24, 2013
  5. Number45forever

    Number45forever Initiate (0) Jan 6, 2012 Vermont

    I recently had a two year old Consecration, it was awesome. I love the fruited RR sours so much fresh, I'd never actually let one age that long myself...but age certainly didn't hurt Consecration.

    DFH 120 minute...I had one at about 5 years old and it was single sweetest, most syrupy sugary mess I've ever consumed. Also, it was hot as can be, which is expected at 18-20%. I like 120 fresh, I'd make sure you try one fresh before attempting to age it.
     
    #5 Number45forever, Jan 24, 2013
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