05 World Wide Stout

They just recently released the last batch (late 2011/Jan). It's going on hiatus for 2012, so try to track one down soon!

 

Well I reviewed a 2004 vintage about one year ago....so I would say yes. Crack that sum'bitch open.
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/2392/?ba=davey101

2012 vintage is already on shelves in New England. Not sure about California though.

 

Unfortunately DFH doesn't send WWS or 120 out here (general distribution). I think it has something to do with the ABV not being listed on the label. Some came out here during 09 but I think it was a mistake.

 

That sucks. Looks like they used to label it for CA in 2003 https://www.beeradvocate.com/ratebe...d-wide-stout-2003-21-ca-and-uk-release/27970/

 

i liked the 2007s i had more than the 2004s, though storage conditions at the store i found the 2004s (thanks again, davey101!) were probably not great (was refrigerated when i got to it, but i suspect it went on some sort of adventure at some point). 04 seemed a bit too oxidized and on its way down.

07 was a near perfect beer in 2011 though.

p.s. incidentally, the 2002 quelque chose i found at the same store as the 2004 WWS was surprisingly delicious.

 

I actualy enjoyed that touch of oxidation. I went back to that store to grab some more a few months ago and all the '04 WWS's were gone...but replaced by the '08 vintage. They also had some '99 le coq double imperial extra stout hidden behind the edge of the cooler and those big bottles of '04 SA chocolate bock in the back room. That store is absurd with how they move beer lol. After I read your review I did grab one of those '02 quelque chose though. Damn tasty stuff. I'll probably revisit the '04 WWS this week to see what the extra year did to it.

 

I read somewhere Sam said the sweet spot for WWS was with about 5 years on it.

 

The oldest that I've had was an '09, which I cracked open about a month ago. It was still quite harsh, but a good sipper. IMO it could benefit from a few more years to mellow it out a bit more.

I have a couple left, so I'm looking forward to trying them with a bit more age on them.

 

I had an 04 in 2010 and though greatly improved, it could use more time. Hold off on it if you can.