Does booziness fade over time?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Admbmb92, Jan 3, 2015.

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  1. Admbmb92

    Admbmb92 Initiate (0) Oct 6, 2013 Oregon

    Does alcohol taste fade over time in boozy beers? I know that hops fade and flavors come together better over time in beers that you can age, but for a big beer like Sucre can the alcohol flavor fade as well? I ask because I finally opened up Sucre on New Years and I loved the barrel aged notes that it had, but the rubbing alcohol flavor kind of took over those notes which was disappointing to me
     
    #1 Admbmb92, Jan 3, 2015
  2. AndrewK

    AndrewK Savant (1,123) Oct 20, 2006 California

    Yes. Higher alcohols (fusel alcohols, the ones that are hot and solventy) oxidize over time to create aldehydes, which often have an aroma of almonds, cherry, and vanilla and can contribute to sherry and toffee flavors. Fusels can also bond with acids in beer to create esters, which will create various fruity aromas and flavors. As these reactions occur, the booziness will of course diminish.
     
    #2 AndrewK, Jan 3, 2015
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  3. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    One caveat to Andrew's post: while the flavor of alcohol will fade over time, especially strong beers will still probably retain some warming sensation. They just won't be full-blown "hot."
     
    #3 Dupage25, Jan 5, 2015
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