January 2018 Cellar Reviews

2012 North Coast Old Stock

Pours a clear dark amber in color, thick cream colored head. Aroma of caramel, burnt sugar, boozy fruit. Taste is not as sweet as expected by the smell. Complex , but dry finish. Thin to medium bodied.

 

**also posted on a reply to a different thread on the same beer

2011 Gouden Carolus Cuvee van de Keizer Blauw. Home waxed bottle at date of purchase.

Pours ruddy amber, clear edges that flash amber red and deep cedar; thick and tight head rises and falls uniformly, leaving a solid cap that thins to reveal near microscopic bubbles. Smell is aromatic- fruity floral, juicy plums; upon deeper inhale sweet brandy and raisins come through, yeasty sweet rolls. Taste is complex- a loud Chardonnay-molasses duo start playing jazz, with the same yeasty sweet roll playing big band backup, with a sweet note that carries every tempo created as the flavors mingle. The mouthfeel is thick and sweet, yet so smooth it almost feels dry at the same time; flavors linger just as long as they should making this heavy sweet beer dangerously quaffable. Carbonation is light and prickly, voluminous-yet-tiny in its numbers and lends a bit of carbonic acid bite to the back end. It feels like I’m drinking 2 beers in the same mouthfeel- a bright and vinous old ale and a sweet imperial ESB is the best I can describe, this is really complex.

Overall a surprise as I did not know what to expect. 7 years and this is drinking great, in my experience and preferences this is at its best right now and in 2-4 more years the vinous dry character might get out of balance for me.

 

Pere Jacques - 2009 on label, but stamped 2010. 22 oz bottle.

Pours a murky brown with chunks of sediment and yeast that eventually settle to the bottom of the glass. good head retention. aroma of raisins, spiced rum, rye bread. taste is perfectly balanced - rich malt flavors but dry, not sweet. medium bodied, super smooth mouthfeel. Overall - at 2 years past GI's 5 years best by date, it's still great.

 

I think you may be right. I went looking for that post but couldn't find it. I know it was in or before 2011.

 

Sipping through a glass of Neptune from Bell's. This beer was released in July of 15 and so has about 2 and 1/2 years of bottle age. It is holding up well and the flavors are still very much as they were when I wrote my review of my first bottle that had about 6 mos of bottle age.

"The flavors are more complex than expected from the nose (which is fairly complex in its own right). They begin with an initial burst of sweetness that gives way to other flavors, including lots of spiciness that almost dances fleetingly over the tongue. While some dark fruits are deep down in the background they are here and gone quickly. Even though the ABV is 9% and well concealed here a sensation of warmth that begins to be felt long before the beer is finished. Some of that is a general effect from the alcohol, some is related to a light pepper burn in the back of the palate and throat."