Sofie Freshness

Sofie is very cellarable. Freshness should not be a issue as it would be with, say, a pale or ipa. Drink up!

 

This beer is A LOT better with the age on it, IMO.

 

I have 2 bombers of 2010, that I don't plan on opening for at least a year or so more...

one of my all time favorite shelf beers.

 

It's very good. I've had the 2012 three times in the past month
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1549/48824/?ba=mudbug

 

My neighborhood package store's stock of Sofie is all from 2012 and I like it better that way.

 

Buy the 2012 and be thankful you don't need to pay 'extra' for these aged beers.

Cheers!

 

Since it's a Saison, you'll be fine with it older year. Personally, I like my Saisons with a bit of age. I had a 2012 Sofie a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious.

 

I don't know what all these guys are talking about, I'm sure you'll find the hops have fallen off sharply. I suggest letting me dispose of those old ass bottles for you.

 

Below is from the Goose Island website for Sofie:

“Brewer's Notes:
Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons.

Recipe Information:
Style: Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale
Alcohol by Volume: 6.5%
International Bitterness Units: 20
Color: Champagne
Hops: Amarillo
Malt: 2 Row, Pilsen, Wheat

Serving Suggestions:

Preferred Glass: Wide Mouth Glass
Food Pairings: Sofie pairs with a wide variety of foods, its light and refreshing qualities complement lighter flavors like fresh oysters and contrast rich shellfish like lobster.

Cheese Pairings: Brie
Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years”

A 2012 Sofie is a baby!

Cheers!

 

Let's not forget about Matilda, too! Jump on those 2012s if you see them.

 

Tried it for the first time this weekend, a January '13 bottle, and really enjoyed it. So did the others I shared with.

 

I personally like my Sophie fresh and my Matilda with some age on it. The brett comes out so much more in the Matilda when aged.

 

No doubt. I have a beautiful 2011 Matilda that is just waiting for me to lose my willpower and pop it open.

As much as people love Sofie (I like it too), I really think Matilda is the cream of the "farmhouse" crop from Goose Island.

 

Based on a Fleur I had recently, I believe from 2011, I'd say at a certain point the brett will become a little too pronounced. Granted, Fleur was a more delicate beer than Matilda, but I still think going too long can be an issue based on just how GI uses the brett. I'm not sure I'd open it just yet, but I also wouldn't hold on to it indefinitely.

 

That's good to know. I also have a 2011 Fleur in waiting. Maybe I will open it tonight and see. Unfortunately, I never got to try Fleur when it was fresh, so I'll have zero frame of reference...

 

Yeah- I was in the same boat when I saw it on the shelf, and would like to have tried it younger (more hibiscus/less funk). If you do open it, post back- I'd like to hear your impressions.

 

I just drank a March 2012 a couple of weeks ago. Still fantastic. Great beer. Buy it

 

I just had my first, bottled on 6/11/12, and it blew me away. Great beer, fresh or with some age.