Cellar Reviews (2023)

Ironic that the lovely review from @Rug was posted earlier today.

I came here to report a bit of a warning about a batch of Harvest Ale I've been seeing problems with. 2012 Sherry barrel, absolutely knocked my socks of 2 or 3 years ago when ì picked some up so I snagged a couple more to sock away. Over the last year as I dipped into them I started to notice some issues with souring. Pulled my last one out of the cellar to the beer fridge a week or two ago and cracked it today.

Nose was decidedly sour, like tart cherry juice. Taste followed with an unpleasant medicinal sour note.

To make myself feel better, I cracked into a regular 2012 bottle as well. That one also wasn't resonating with me. Not a particular off flavor, just a general disjointedness that is not inline with my experience with this beer.

So, it may just be me, or there may be something off with the 2012 batch. I'd actively discourage anyone from paying for a 2012 sherry barrel though, based on 3 or 4 bottles I've tried in the last year that all shared the same issue of sharp sourness.

 

Interesting. I've always thought Mother of all Storms was a fine beer fresh, but really turns into a barn-burner with a couple years on it. Different palates & all that.

 

Hmm, good to know. Maybe I'll get a 2012 for science if I see it but I'll be prepared for the worst haha

 

I applaud your dedication! And I would definitely be interested in hearing anyone else's experience with a 2012 batch. It's entirely possible that it's just something off with me, i do tend to go in waves with these kind of heavy malt beers, usually it's a sort of unpleasant vegetal flavor that I'll start to get off of them instead of this sour note I've gotten from these but I definitely have a fickle palate.

I also haven't had the opportunity to try any other vintage lately. I may try to rectify that soon

 

Finally sharing the last SAN here-

They wanted to do a night of foreign stouts so I grabbed what I had and off we went.
The Coconut Vanilla BA Rat Queen and the Sign The Wafer (second from the left) I believe were both sent to me by @Coronaeus as part of some NBW BIF madness a while back.
And yes, the Willitized is a late addition as it was decided we needed one more beer and I had opened all I had taken.
Overall, it was a pretty enjoyable evening.

 

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I’m glad you liked the Rat Queen. Sadly, Barncat is closing up shop for good in a few weeks. It’s sad as they are by most accounts, one of the best three or four breweries in Ontario.

 

That is bad news! So sorry to hear. Any idea why?

 

They never expanded. I believe it was just the two guys who started it running the operation the whole time. They would ever only be open on Friday afternoon and weekends, and would sell out of stuff pretty quickly. I think they may have still had ‘day jobs’.

They announced the close-up a couple months back and had their last release a couple weeks back.

I did see a comment on Instagram suggesting they have banked their yeast.

I’m hoping they emerge in some form or other again in the future.

 

2020 Brooklyn BCS

minimal head, the carbonation is bit low, but the mouthfeel is fine. a lot of dark chocolate and earthy licorice in the aroma. taste is similar, long finish, a touch sweet.

 

Cross posting from the Barleywine tread. Even though this is listed as an Old Ale.


Thomas Hardy’s Ale - O’Hanlon’s



Second bottle from this batch, and at almost 20years old, it holds up quite well.

First half of the bottle is pictured above.

Still gem clear, more ruby red than mahogany today. Still no head or lace, yet a slight carbonation is evident. Viscous film is less impressive today, in a Utopias glass. The warm pour flashed over with a thin head that passed within a second. The warm pour came with enough sediment to bring back the rich mahogany and and iridescent haze.

The aroma is just as strong and earthy as previous experiences, as are the raisins, figs and dates in the nose. Smoky peat is very light. Warmth brings out sweet molasses. Warmth ramps up the earthy raisins and figs.

Umami is definitely still here, although somewhat muddy, which is actually what I expect of that flavor. Light bitter-sweetness is also still present. The dry Port wine is prominent and even more so as it warms. Almonds, check, anise is gone. The finish is long and mild, I can tease out cherries, only because I’m looking for them. Unquestionably a different beer at ambient temperature, vs refrigerator temp. ~45° or so. The umami really jumps with warmth, and IMO, the warm version is superior.

Still full-bodied and syrupy smooth, and not palate clinging. Alcohol is about as expected for 11.9% ABV, though without any heat or warming characteristics. It does tingle the tongue when at ambient temperature. Soft carbonation and mild residual sugar on the lips.

2004-P13371 is sadly my last bottle. It claims to hold well up to 25 years, and I wanted to be sure to finish it before it nose dived. Mission accomplished to be sure.

The 2018 review … https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1533/16858/?ba=SLeffler27#lists

… was actually consumed 15 April 2018. So these two reviews are about five years separated.

 

This might be my last, found in the back of the fridge.
At almost 4 years old I’m still impressed.
Big fluffy mocha head, with minimal ring and sporty lacing. Rich chocolate and coffee, maple is gone on the aroma. Smells a lot like KBS than CBS at this point.
Tastes a lot like KBS too. Chocolate and coffee, bit of booze, char and barrel. Maple is nonexistent but this beer tastes a bit smoother and rounder than I would expect it to be.
I’m impressed that it tastes this good after this long. It’s not CBS but still worthy.

 

Over two cases left of pre 2022 Revolution Deep Woods in the refrigerator, and nice and cool house with the windows open overnight, so picked Cafe Deth.

Revolution Cafe Deth (2020)



Can Notes: Canned 10/14/20 11:11:13 AM, 14,8% ABV, refrigerated as always with cans since purchase.

Comparing to the 2019 vintage reviewed here July 20th The sweet notes noted for 2019 are mellow / not distracting. The roast coffee leads, clean dark roast, no flaws, really good, more enjoyable tan the 2019 version IMO. Also getting more barrel, and this feels very strong, the desired outcome as I'd like to return to sleep for the 2-3 hours left in my 8 hour daily target.

These beers always hold up well refrigerated, but this one is above average in terms of exceeding expectations. Pop open and enjoy with confidence, these are at peak condition.

 

Having Brew 3000 from Fremont, a little over 4 years old at this point.



I've had 6k and 5k fresh and 5k around a year old, loved them all. This is tasting fantastic right now, glad I get to try this with some age on it. It is more fruit forward than the others I've tried. There is still plenty of caramel, toffee, vanilla, and bourbon to be sure. But the raisin is more pronounced and there is a lovely plum pudding note here. I'm also getting some maple syrup at the finish. The carbonation is light but this beer has great legs and a wonderfully sticky body. Hard to imagine this improving from here, if you have one I'd say open it relatively soon.

 

upload full resolution photos

35th anniversary expedition. Bottled 9/3/2020.

I drank a 2020 barrel aged expedition the other day which was as good as ever but this non barreled variant is tasting even better right now. All the classic expedition roast, char, sweet cream, and earthiness is unmistakable as expedition but kicked up a notch at 11.5%. Drinking from cellar temperature I note that it seems much sweeter than I recall it ever being at 3 years old. I've drank so few of these and so far apart that I can't begin to claim to make any valid comparison from now vs fresh. It doesn't taste aged but is tasting just as good if not better than I remember it.

 

I was fortunate enough to get a 6 oz pour of that, but Barrel Aged. Dear Lord it was amazing. Sadly I never saw it in the wild so that once was my first and last. Sigh.
That stated, the original is very, very good. I think I still have a few down in the cellar.

 

I had no clue they barrel aged the 35th anniversary. I'm definitely envious.

 

2010 vintage North Coast Old Stock Ale - Pours a dark amber/mahogany color with a small caramel color head that dissipates quickly except for around the edges of the glass. Smell is of toffee, caramel, raisins, molasses and dates. Smooth malty flavor, dark fruits and a finish of cherry. The 11.7% abv is slightly present in the finish but it's a very deceptive easy drinker. Great beer! I'm glad I have 1 more in the cellar.

 

My favorite doppelbock.

 

2019 3F Oude Geuze

Pours a hazy apricot orangish yellow with a bright white head with decent retention. Aroma is fruity, citrus, tart lactic acidity and subtle funk. Taste is complex and delicious with fruity notes of peach and pear, moderate sour tartness, citrus rind, and a wonderful oaky vanilla finish. Carbonation is high which is appropriate, lighter side of medium body, great drinkability. A wonderful beer, complex and delicious. I’m slowly transitioning my cellar to be lambic/gueuze, it’s a pricey endeavor but should pay dividends for years.

Cheers old beer nerds!

 

This might be my favorite cellar beer. Economical and readily available that you cant really lose stashing some away. The oldest ive got is 2013 and they were excellent last time I drank one. This 2010 must have been a real treat.