Cellar Reviews (2020)

2019 Evil Twin Grand Cru Cuvee

Bought one of these a year ago and promptly couldn't find another one for a while, until I did and then stuck it in my cellar fridge, saw it tonight and thought why not. Although this is still very enjoyable I don't think sitting on it has improved it. Maybe further aging would have improved things but I'm not sure how well these blends between stouts and barleywines do over time. Maybe some of you have some thoughts...

Anyway I wish Evil Twin would stop doing these one offs that I like and stick with them long enough for verticals.

 

2016 Dark Lord - black wax with sparkles

Poured into an imperial pint glass with almost no head but residual ring. Smell is dark chocolatey malt and old cardboard. Taste is sweet...Sweet I tells ya! Sole chocolate. Wet cardboard taste faded early. Thick mouthfeel. Overall better than expected. Broke it out in honor of DLD that didn’t happen.

Reserved 6oz for a bbq sauce that turned out well!

 

Many Chicago breweries produce world class Imperial Stouts, but when I tell them some of the Monsters Park / Devils Teeth series match up on par (sometimes slightly better) than our awesome offerings. Fundamental Observation and AleSmith also brew incredible stouts. Never had the one you reviewed, but will look out for similar variants in the future, it sounds awesome.

I would have to agree with statement. In addition to Greg's departure, GI also brew-masters who left to start their own breweries or work for others. That said, they do have a solid core of people working at the brewery, both brewers and front of house.

I drink BCS and still like to try pours brewed at their Chicago locations. Born and Raised released last year was the latest local release I liked. I wish they returned to brewing different wilds and sours. I don't visit as much anymore since I don't work nearby anymore. I have only returned once since on Black Friday, but hope to pick up Honker's Ale and maybe one or two other crowlers over the next few weeks.

 

2017 KBS

I went rooting around my cellar fridge and found this which I didn't even know I had (I'm assuming this was a gift from some dog walking friends who photographed my avatar before they relocated to San Diego). Anyway this is better than my previous KBS aged experience, which might be strictly subjective but I'm not detecting any off flavors or smells. It's still probably better consumed fresh but this hasn't been a disappointing experience.

 

One of my most unexpected craft pleasures happened at my wife's retirement party at some chain eatery years ago. They had nothing on tap, which put me in a foul mood, but their descriptions of the bottles were at least interesting so I decided to try this farmhouse ale by Goose Island, Sofie. Holy shit, from the first sip the evening turned quickly positive. I'd had Hennepin and Saison Dupont before and that was right up there with them. Whichever brew-master came up with that made a very positive impression on me.

 

Yes, I like Sofie, Madame Rose and Gillian, all three were first released over a decade ago when Greg Hall was there. I wish they would get this out more and or try new offerings. Lolita was the only one I didn't like, but my bottle may have been infected (was like straight vinegar) and would try it again.

I like Saison Dupont better, but Sofie is still a great offering you can hopefully find locally (it's available in many places in Chicago). If you ever get a chance to hit Chicago, the GI Fulton is a great place to visit in addition to other great Chicago breweries.

I also prefer draft over bottles / cans.

 

I did a side by side (by side) of Westy 12, Abt 12 and Rochefort 10, when fresh, at 2 years or aging and at 5 years of aging. Just reviewed some of my notes from those tastings after seeing your post here, and I would definitely agree. In my reviews all 3 beers peaked in the 2 year tasting (which was actually around the 27-32 month range depending on the bottle), and had some drop off at the 5 years. Abt 12, in particular, fell off cliff at the 5 year mark. Westy remained strong at 5 years but was definitely past it’s prime in my opinion. For my palate, 2-3 year old Westy 12 is one of the best beers on the planet.

 

Sipping on this 2017 BCBBW.





Pour looks flat. Carbonation on the lower end but is ok. Aroma is fairly tame, dark fruits and some oaky vanilla from the barrel. Taste follows and again is not super strong at first, although flavors come out as it warms towards room temperature and it develops nicely throughout the drink. Dark fruits, some caramel/toffee notes, slight bitterness and bourbon in the finish. Prominent candied sugar sweetness. Pretty delicious, just make sure you don’t pop the top while it’s too cold.

 

Not from my cellar but enjoying a fine Orval bottled in December of 2016. Picked it up at a place that keeps it in a big walk in. That might explain its similarity to the one I had late last year that was a year old.

Dry and effervescent. Dusty old barn on the nose and on the tongue

 

Tonight’s beer is a 2015 Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout.





Pour yields a nice 1 fingers width of tan head, good carbonation. Aroma is huge, pretty big coffee still which is impressive, and barrel notes remain huge. Big chocolate still. Aroma is just great. Taste on the other hand, is a bit odd. It has a tart cherry component, I think it’s infected. Although maybe not because 5 years of infection I would think would complete crush all aspects of this including the carbonation/appearance and aroma, and completely destroy the taste. Weird. Anyways, besides the tart cherry there’s also some bitter black coffee, and oaky bourbon notes on the finish. Once you get past that initial shock it’s actually rather good, but clearly not a peak BCBCS.

 

2019 Against the Grain - Bo & Luke.
A favorite of.mine, not dated but I bought it at the brewery last year and I think they bottle it in June or July. So not quite a year old.

Nose has big boozy raisins, roasted nuts with just a touch of cardboard on them, and some sweet oaky notes, vanilla and a vague "spiciness" that I associate with bourbon and rum cakes/fruit cakes comes up as it warms

Taste follows.with prominent bourbon, some dark fruit especially raisin, fig and blue berry. Dark chocolate and a touch of charred walnut/pecan as well.

Mouthfeel is still great with a little carbonation, rich and thick without getting syrupy.

Overall still a great beer. I have one left. I'll try to let it get to at least 18 months for science but I don't know when I'll be able to reup and in the BMA with the guy from AtG he said.they might take a year off. Doubt I'll be able to resist the last one until next spring

 

2015 was the year they had infections issues. I wonder if the tart cherry isn’t something arising from that.

 

2009 Trader Joe’s/Unibroue Vintage Ale.
Cellared until 2016 in 60F basement, since then in a 40F fridge.
Gently decanted into a Chimay chalice

Dark, dark brown with fluffy persistent off-white, eggshell head with sparse lacing.

Aroma is strongly spiced of cardamom, nutmeg, and light cinnamon all on a dark fruit fig and globe grape malt backdrop.

Flavor is also strongly spiced but not overbearingly so with similar Christmas baking spices, light orange peel, fig, dark grape, prune, and touch of anise and light caramel in the finish. Slight alcohol in the aftertaste and the

Feel is light for the ABV but smooth and moderately carbonated to make it very drinkable.

Overall, I will have to start collecting these again and holding them back — this one was extremely enjoyable.

**I really need to get this photo/image sharing thing down — being left behind....

 

Obtained in trade sometime back in 2013.

Pours jet black w some thin brown head and carbonation

Smell is sweet chocolate and caramel with a touch of cognac and marshmallow.

Mouthfeel is medium to thick but not chewy like some of today’s stouts. Viscous.

Taste definitely sweet chocolate and fig w barrel character and hint of cognac.

Finish is smooth with slight tartness w almost no oxidization.

Overall this is a wonderful beer and has held up very well. A pleasant surprise indeed.

 

I had a bottle last year and it was fantastic. Still have 1 bottle left.

 

An absolute fabulous baby I am aging since 2010. As a kind of pilgrimage, we visit the brewery in December to pick up Stille Nacht every year.
Every year, the beer recipe is changed a little bit. No major changes, just always a splendid brew.
2010 and later versions have evolved into a 'barley wine' with clear hints of apricots, oranges, mandarines, touches of sherry.
2015 had loads of hops in the beginning. Long time no tasting of this version.
2017 is low on carbonation; so is 2019. The latter did not stay in the warm room long enough. High aging potential and superb brew. One of my favorits.

 

2010 Arcadia Cereal Killer Barleywine

12 oz bottle poured into snifter glass. It is clear until all the sediment pours out. No head. Rich aroma of dark caramel, raisin, pipe tobacco. Taste is similar, but not too sweet, earthy finish. Full bodied, with just a bit of carbonation left, but its enough. Unfortunately another beer that is now gone forever.