Framinghammer Baltic Porter - Bourbon Barrel Aged - cellaring?

They were only released maybe two months ago in bottles. Maybe someone aged a growler from last years release though.

 

Had one last night from March. Was as I remembered it, excellent.

 

I dont think it would benefit much from any aging.

 

This is correct. I have tried vanilla and coffee Framinghammer. Drink them now. They're ridiculously smooth and flavorful.

 

The regular BBA Framinghammer needs no time. I couldn't imagine how it would get better. Enjoy pronto.

 

I did, drank it in October and it was still excellent (had lost some carbonation, though). This year I bought a case for aging. I don't see why this wouldn't improve with age, but time will tell.

 

in general i advocate not aging barrel aged beers (they're already "ready"), and this is no exception. particularly because it's neither very hot nor particularly complex. just roasty, oaky, and good.

 

Not age barrel aged beers? So you wouldnt age say a 2012 Abyss? That is quite a bold statement, I have 09, 10, 11, and 12 (several) good then great or better now. Go ahead age it I would without question.

 

You're comparing apples to oranges I believe. Try a 2012 abyss and a Framinghammer side by side. Huge difference

 

True but He said "in general i advocate not aging barrel aged beers" Im not comparing persay I just wouldnt say in general.

 

You're right he did. That's just kind of silly. Every beer should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in my opinion. Abyss totally needs some age, and even says it on the bottle "BEST AFTER: XXXX"

 

Abyss is made to age, whereas most BA beers are ready to drink immediately. Also, Abyss is only like 25% or so aged in barrels, 75% not BA, which is likely a large part of why it needs to age. It's a hot monster fresh.

The general rule of thumb, with a few notable exceptions, is that BA beers should not be aged. They've already been sitting in barrels aging for (usually) a year or so.

As for BA Framinghammer - I've been drinking mine. It may hold up and I'll keep one around to experiment, but I'm not expecting anything positive to come from long-term age. It's smooth, mellow, and infinitely drinkable right now. And Baltic Porters tend to be less predictable on long-term aging. Just playing with fire for no good purpose by aging it IMO...

 

Cellar a couple if you've got a bunch, but it's delicious right now and very subtle on the booze end (i.e., you can taste the bourbon but without the heat). Easily one of my faves for 2013 (so far).

 

I'm not aging it. I've got some so it's just taking time to get through it and I agree with many on here that it is very easy drinking.

 

Oh man! I got excited when I saw a thread about BBA Framinghammer. This is one of my favorites! Outstanding and will get the full credit it deserves in time. Like Geocool, I also bought a case and will cellar half of it. So far it tastes just as good as when I bought it a couple months ago but we are only talking months.

 

This. They are ready to go now.

 

I would recommend not aging any beer probably 95% of the time, even with something like Abyss. I've never had an aged Abyss that I liked better than fresh.

Hope your '09 isn't infected. I drank all mine right after the release and they were delicious.