1990 Samichlaus Bier

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.