Cellar Reviews (2019)

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jmdrpi, Jan 1, 2019.

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  1. ChicagoNick

    ChicagoNick Savant (1,012) Nov 16, 2012 Illinois
    Trader

    black xantus was my favorite when I first got into craft beer. Haven’t seen one on the shelf in ages.
     
    #361 ChicagoNick, Dec 23, 2019
  2. Beer_Economicus

    Beer_Economicus Pooh-Bah (2,698) Apr 8, 2017 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Only place I really ever see it is in Blacksburg, VA when I travel through. Specifically at one retailer that tries and fails to justify their sometimes crazy markups ($10/KBS 12oz, anyone?).
     
    #362 Beer_Economicus, Dec 23, 2019
    ChicagoNick likes this.
  3. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Loved the V Twelve I had in the past. Didn't care for the V Ten...
     
    #363 Bitterbill, Dec 23, 2019
    jmdrpi likes this.
  4. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    Bruery Rueze 2014, wild blonde ale aged in barrels, 6% abv

    pours bright gold, ring of lacing around the edge, active carbonation. Smells bright and fruity with haylike funk; tastes bright and crisp, apples and stone fruit dominate, light grain sweetness in the back; body is light and almost salty and quenching the thirst. Very good, just the right balance of funk to juiciness for my liking.
     
    #364 youradhere, Dec 24, 2019
    bayareahustla, CaptainHate, Budlum and 3 others like this.
  5. youradhere

    youradhere Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2008 Washington

    Goose Island 2014 Madame Rose 6.7% ABV

    pours clear copper with 2 fingers of tan head that falls relatively quickly to leave a ring of lacing. Smells slightly medicinal with some funk, fruitiness, lactic sour; tastes of smooth yet sour berries, heavy jamminess, bleu cheese; mouthfeel is off dry with faint yet prickly carbonation. Almost an oude Bruin style but lighter, I like it a lot!
     
    #365 youradhere, Dec 24, 2019
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  6. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    2009 Samichlaus Classic. In my cellar since I bough a whole case 10 years ago - been drinking one every Christmas Eve (and a few other times) ever since.

    pours a clear dark amber color, minimal head. just a ring around the edge of the glass. aroma is like brandy - strong fermented fruits. grape, apricot, fig, black cherry. a bit of brown sugar and pipe tobacco. taste is similar, but not overly sweet. drinks so smooth and nice - there is no hot booziness left at all. mild carbonation, mouthfeel is a bitt sticky, medium bodied.

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    #366 jmdrpi, Dec 25, 2019
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  7. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

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    photo upload sites

    First off, Merry Christmas to all the BAs!!

    You can tell by the look that it's appearance hasn't suffered in the 5 years that I kept it in my cellar.

    Super good malty nose, toffee, raisins, more dark pitted fruits, and more than a hint of Port.

    The caramel malt is a flavour burst that permeates every sensory element of my taste buds. Toffee follows with a healthy flavour of Port. That Port is surely a result of oxidation and is a most welcome addition to my enjoyment of this beer. Being a fan of aged English BWSAs and Old Ales, you know where I am coming from. :wink:

    Close to full bodied with near perfect carbonation. Notice that I didn't mention wine at all; it WAS aged in wine barrels. Do I feel cheated because I can't taste any of the barrel? Laws no.

    Prost!
     
    #367 Bitterbill, Dec 25, 2019
    JMN44, unlikelyspiderperson, gudbrande and 10 others like this.
  8. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    2013 Melange 3. I probably purchased 8 or so of these back in 2013/2014. It's one of my favorites from the Bruery. This is one of my last from this year. It's fantastic, but I think it might now be growing some hints of negativity. The taste is still rich caramel and chocolate, mixed with some vanilla. However, there is a strange bitterness on the back end that is a bit different. Just doesn't feel as sweet as it has been over the past few years. Still really amazing stuff, but different.

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    #368 Beersnake, Dec 26, 2019
    unlikelyspiderperson, CaptainHate, archiebunkerjr and 6 others like this.
  9. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Early 2009 Old Guardian. Still plenty of carbonation on the pour. The nose is amazing. Lots of toffee candy, honey, apples, pine, and a bit of wheat. The taste is exquisite. The hops are still quite dominant, with a lingering coating on the palate. A beautiful blending of sweet toffee, molasses, and apples with the hoppy bitterness. Also picking up some leather, raisins, citrus peel, and some earth. Overall, this has aged really nicely and will likely be fine for a few more years. I have several from different years (including one from 2005) that I will crack soon.

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    #369 Beersnake, Dec 27, 2019
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  10. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    2009 Westvleteren 12 (BB 10-27-2012). Less carbonation than fresh. Nose has that characteristic (too long) smell. Oxidation big time. The nose has turned into soy sauce, grapes, coke, and a bit of port. Taste is a bit nicer than the nose. Still picking up the soy sauce and some metallic notes, but also some dark fruit and toffee come through. Overall, this is not a great age for this beer. I tried a 20-year old of this and it tasted similar. I think it hits a point and dives, remaining there for many years.

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    #370 Beersnake, Dec 29, 2019
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  11. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Here is an odd cellar review. Did a little experiment by putting a couple of these in the cellar 5 years ago. This was bottled on July 9, 2014. Tons of head on a relatively aggressive pour. Nose is sideways compared to fresh. Getting a big oxidation note, along with some sweet fruit notes. Some honey and a bid of bread. The taste, however, is really nice. Not getting much oxidation, but it's a totally different beast from when fresh. No hops - mostly honey, wheat, nuts, and caramel. Some chocolate, mild citrus note, and a bit of grass. Overall, this is some major evolution. I am not a huge fan of it fresh, but this is totally drinkable and enjoyable.

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    #371 Beersnake, Dec 31, 2019
    ManBearPat, CaptainHate, TheGent and 6 others like this.
  12. neenerzig

    neenerzig Pooh-Bah (2,885) Feb 15, 2006 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    #372 neenerzig, Dec 31, 2019
    CaptainHate, bl00 and Bitterbill like this.
  13. applejax

    applejax Initiate (164) Sep 22, 2013 New Jersey

    I'm building up some Samichlaus Classic and Helles in the aging corner. I understand these age well so I'm holding out for a few more years, but very enticed by your review!
     
    #373 applejax, Jan 1, 2020
    toolbrew likes this.
  14. liquorpig

    liquorpig Pooh-Bah (1,964) Sep 6, 2008 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    2017 Corsendonk Christmas Ale - best by 8/20 date. Pours a dark brown color with a fluffy mocha color head. Head retention lasts throughout. Aroma is of cherry, raisins and brown sugar. Smooth tasting with nice carbonation. Hints of molasses and dark fruit, malt and caramel. Great tasting beer. Could probably have held on to it for next Christmas.
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    #374 liquorpig, Jan 1, 2020
    CaptainHate, bl00, TheGent and 1 other person like this.
  15. strohme2

    strohme2 Pooh-Bah (2,001) Nov 3, 2007 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Seems like a good time to open this. I’m sure all of you have special beers that you’re “saving for a special time” as they sit longer and longer in your cellar. This is that beer.

    It was released August 20, 2016 at Kuhnhenn’s 15th Anniversary Party with under 100 bottles released (I seem to think it was closer to 70 bottles..) and you had to buy a ticket to purchase. It sold out quickly and I was lucky enough to grab one. I tucked it in a cardboard box on the basement cement floor and let it sit until tonight.

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    Poured into a tulip glass. Pours a deep and slightly muddled brown. I mustered half a finger of head that quickly left. No lasting head of any kind as I drink this, even with a
    quick swirl of the glass.

    Nose of fig, dates, chocolate, caramel and mellow bourbon/wood.

    Wow this has mellowed considerably since I had it last (2016)! Originally it was all bourbon and heat. The bourbon is definitely still there but as a background component and not in the forefront. Raisins, figs, toffee, slightly nutty, bourbon and wood, chocolate and still some boozy heat finish even more so as it warms.

    Slick and syrupy mouthfeel, small but noticeable heat, zero carbonation.

    This is a perfect treat to celebrate the end of the decade and a Happy New Year. I’ll continue to nurse this up until midnight. Here’s to cellared beers that you should be drinking and an awesome beer community!
    Cheers all and Happy New Year!
     
    #375 strohme2, Jan 1, 2020
    ManBearPat, CaptainHate, bl00 and 3 others like this.
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