Aged Gems Found in Stores

There's this enormous bottle, a magnum or double magnum, of Samichlaus Classic that's 7 years old at my LBS. Granted its $130, but if I can get the owner to come down on the price a tad I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.

 

Yoou can find samiclaus that old in various locations. Unless you want the magnum for novelty sake, you'd be better off just trading for that quantity of beer at a cheaper price.

 

The bottle I had, not very long ago, was a real treat.

 

I can think of a couple, but was wondering about the conditions of a store shelf. For example, would a 2015 Abyss be worse than what it "should" be due to sitting under some bright lights all day every day? This probably wouldn't even have occurred to me, but I picked up a '17 backwoods bastard recently and thought it was horrible compared to fresh.

 

When it comes to "aged gems" I always try to grab a bottle that's in the back of the shelf, out of the lights. If that's not possible it would need to be something I really want or really cheap for me to buy.

Cheers!

 

I have a very old Sierra Nevada barley wine on refrigeration I think 1993. It is in my Mom's garage refrigerator.

 

In 2012 I found 1992 Old Foghorn and anchor Xmas from 1988 and 1991

The old foghorn was still very good

 

This year:
2 x 2014 BCBS
1 x 2015 Sierra Nevada BA Bigfoot
2 x 2013 Bruery Sour in the Rye

 

Recently found an almost 5 year old Deschutes Stoic, as well as the Bruery White Oak 2016 edition the other day.

 

Picked up a 2007 J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale yesterday at one of my old haunts. Can't believe I passed by it so many times before without realizing what it was.

 

curious to hear people's takes on what this one is worth in it's older age? I regular two places that often have multiple vintages of this. I don't think I've had this, and I'm not certain I know what it even is (an english barleywine?). I think it's something like 12-20 bucks a bottle, some going back to the early 2000s. What is typical retail for old bottles and what is this curious creature?

 

Yes, a British Barleywine brewed in UK. The 4 cask aged versions are sold only in US. Ages very well and for a very long time when treated properly.

Pricy, but worth a try. Your store either aged or bought some older stuff, so price variability by age.

Don’t have any local pricing information from around here and what’s in the basement is old enough that what I paid wouldn’t be helpful.

 

I think the sticker price for a 9.7 ounce bottle was $9.84 which with taxes is over ten dollars. Pricey, yes, but this was featured prominently in Patrick Dawson's Vintage Beer as a beer that ages magnificently and, given my prior experiences with British Barleywines, there was no way I was passing this up.

 

The importer, B. United, is known for having an extensive list of "vintage" beers - they still have 2007 Lee's Harvest Ale (among other years) in stock according to their website. In theory, the local wholesale distributors can still order it from them, so any bottles on store shelves don't necessary date from that era but could be "new stock" for the retailer.

 

Yes, I've talked to delivery guys who've brought in vintage bottles of North Coast Old Stock Ale (bombers of barrel aged reserve and regular four packs) and barrel aged Old Rasputin that have been in stock elsewhere, I assume at the brewery or some central storage site.

I know I've seen the Harvest Ale at the store in the past; I just didn't understand how good it's supposed to be.

 

I had a 2001 Harvest ale that I shared with my brother in 2016.. I bought it in 2016 for like $10.

It was incredible. Very little carbonation, tons of fig and raisins flavors, alcohol nearly undetectable. We were both very pleased with the experience and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone.

 

It would give you an imperfect baseline because it's different each year.

About $10 for a small bottle. If it's $20, it's either one of the big bottles, or it's at a bar or a ridiculous store. Some stores will charge a little extra depending on the age of the beer (but double the price is not typical).

The plain Harvest Ale is one of my favorite beers... and I've had all the beers there is.

 

I think it's an amazing beer if you like rich malt flavors. The highest score I've ever given here on BA was a 10 year bottle of JW Lees. After that first bottle I've picked up an drank a bunch of vintages and have never been disappointed.