1990 Samichlaus Bier

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Jaywild, Sep 14, 2024.

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  1. Jaywild

    Jaywild Initiate (40) Sep 14, 2024

    Hello all,
    I’m helping my Dad clean out his house and he has 2 bottles of 1990 Samichlaus Bier that he has kept climate controlled in the back of a dark cabinet since 1990. Are they worth trying to drink or even opening?
     
  2. beergoot

    beergoot Grand High Pooh-Bah (9,310) Oct 11, 2010 Colorado
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    ...beer doesn't go bad per se, so I'd say crack one open and see what you think...then share your experience with us...this would be a great topic on the What Beer Are You Drinking Now? (WBAYDN?) thread...
     
  3. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Interesting question, and thanks for coming here to ask it. @beergoot has the right answer, but I think instead of bad, I'd use the word spoil because a beer that old could be bad to your taste but won't sicken you. But taste is subjective. If the cap on the bottle hasn't been compromised over the years, I think you'll have a beer that will not have any carbonation (this beer usually has none anyway) and will taste like a sherry or port wine. It's time to find out. Please let us know how it goes.
     
  4. moodenba

    moodenba Pooh-Bah (2,502) Feb 2, 2015 New York
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I think there is a good chance of having a fine beer. I'd expect the beer to have adequate carbonation. A regular crown cap, as Samichlaus has, should retain the pressure. My homebrew's carbonation lasted over 40 years. The high alcohol should also help protect the beer. There could be a deterioration of the hop character, but that might not be a big problem with this beer's assertive body. Domestic twist caps are less secure, and some cans held long term seem to suffer because the liner deteriorates. Unpasteurized bottled beer with some live yeast, in a securely crown capped bottle, is probably the best way to preserve a beer.
     
  5. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    OP, here's a thought - if you're not in any hurry, in the Beer Talk forum during the entire month of February, we have a Cellaruary theme where many of us pull the oldest beers from our cellars to drink and write brief comments on our findings. Your Samichlaus would fit that theme if you want to stick around until then. But you've raised my curiosity now, so how about one bottle now and report back, and the other bottle in February? :slight_smile:
     
  6. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    DM me if you'd be willing to mail to Chicago. I'd pay for postage, trouble & a lil' extra.

    I love this beer & would love to try a very old version.
     
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