Perfect 120 age

What a coincidence. Several days ago a few of us tried a fresh 120 vs. a 3 year old 120 in a blind test. First time any of us had done that and it was very enlightening - everyone liked the aged one a lot more.

Doesn't address your question, but I'm wanting to hear what others say too.

 

I'm interested in this too, I have a bottle from 2012 and just bought a fresh one last week. Wanted to wait until next year and compare 3 of them but it's tempting to try them now.

 

Stillborn.

 

I actually prefer it fresh.

 

The older, the better.

 

IPAs are supposed to be best fresh but something as strong as the 120 will age for a long time. I've had one that was six years old and was great. It loses hop character however.

 

I've had it at varying ages from fresh to six years and can come to the definite conclusion that it's none that I've tried. At the longer ages it tastes more like a cognac with just a bit of hops at the background, and fresh it's waaaay too hot. I mean, it's a decent beer but nowhere worth it's price tag. I haven't had it around a year old, but imagine that's the right time.

 

I recently had a 2011 120 and it was delicious.

I'm looking forward to Barcade's 10th anniversary party in a few months where they will have a 2007 120 on tap!

 

I had mine fresh I loved it.

 

As fresh as possible. Got to enjoy what you paid for.

 

I had a 2/3 (don't remember exactly how many years) year old bottle and it was too sweet for me.But I also dont like too much sweetness in my IPAs.

 

Although labeled as an IPA, 120 has nothing IPA like about it. I've never had one aged but fresh definitely is not for me.

 

I only have one right now so will be aging for 1 year. Next year i will buy 3 more, will have one fresh, one aged for 2 years and another aged for 3 years

 

120, while labelled an IPA, I think more accurately could be called a "super hoppy American Barleywine".

Like other hoppy American Barleywines, there is no "best" age at which to drink it. Fresh it'll be very hoppy with a malty, sweet background; whereas when aged, the hops will fade into the background and the malt will come forward and develop significantly. The difference between these two is much more about preference than which is objectively better.

 

It's been quite a while since I have had 120 or Devil Dancer. I saw recently that you really disliked Devil Dancer but you really liked 120. Just curious as to what the differences were you noticed?

 

I like 120 fresh, but it's killer with at least 3yrs on it. The hops fade enough and get less astringent letting all that beautiful sweet malt shine thru. IMHO, Devil Dancer turns into an amazing version of Bigfoot after a year minimum in the cellar.

 

120 I like fresh and aged, but prefer aged a bit. World Wide Stout is a different beast - undrinkable fresh and pretty good with a year or more.

 

Fresh at the brewpub or 7 years. The hops either need to be really fresh or completely gone. Otherwise, it's a mess.