Mirror Mirror Question

This is why you should always buy two.

 

buy two and drink one now one in a year

 

I know they have a best after date, but I always like to try something fresh that I have never had. If you can afford it, buy a second to age if you enjoyed how it tasted fresh.

 

Always abide by the "best after date" on all Deschutes stuff

 

I had a 2009 last year and a 2014 just a few nights ago. I remember the 2009 being much better. It was slightly oxidized which I prefer out of a barley wine. That's just my personal opinion though.

If I had your bottle, I'd save it. But since you haven't tried it, you should consume now and try to locate another to compare down the road.

 

I find the "Best After" dating to be ridiculous. If it shouldn't be consumed yet, you shouldn't release it.

 

Another vote for buy 2...or more. I got 6. It is a treat fresh, excited to try it with some age.

 

Surely that depends on the beer though. I've had many beers that are a hot mess when fresh and great a year later. More breweries should use this system in my opinion.

 

Be patient. It will be even more amazing in a year or two.

 

If your beer isn't good when it's released, don't release it. Imagine if wineries released only fresh wine and told the consumer to store it for years before drinking it. They don't do that, wineries cellar their own wine and release when it is ready to be consumed. The consumer is welcome to age it longer should they wish, but they don't tell their consumers to do it.

 

I cracked a 2014 Mirror Mirror last weekend, and I really enjoyed it fresh.

 

I think they are just saying the optimal time to consume is after that date. I had one fresh and it was really good. I think they know it tastes good now.

 

I had 6 drank 2 very good, ill spread the rest ove the next years and years

 

its a best after date, not a terrible before date its gets better with age, but thats not to say its not great now

 

It's just a cellaring suggestion to (let's be honest) encourage buying multiples. It's still a fantastic beer fresh, but like most barleywines, it'll really be rounding the bases in terms of flavor.

 

I liked it fresh but found it too hoppy for an English style. Not that I was surprised because it's rare for an American brewery to do an English barleywine right, but I really did wish I had laid it down for a year. If you're looking for the malty sweet mouthfeel of a JW Lee's, don't have it fresh. You'll be disappointed.

 

I really like the 2009s with a couple years on them. The 2014s are OK now but will get a lot better if stored well for a couple years.

 

Good now, looking forward to after the best after date. I seem to grab one every week, I really dig it.