'08 Kate the Great?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by landhoney, Jul 9, 2012.

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  1. landhoney

    landhoney Initiate (0) Apr 19, 2007 Florida

    Sifted through reviews, only saw one recent rating of the '08 and it was bad (stated the beer was way past its prime after cellaring it themselves).

    Any thoughts on this particular vintage and how its doing now?

    Thank you
     
  2. Rob1110

    Rob1110 Initiate (0) Jul 7, 2012 Massachusetts

    I recently was invited to a Kate vertical tasting. Between two guys, they had 06-11 with the double oak of 07, 09, 10 and 11. Of all of them, the double oaks stood out when fresh (10 and 11) and as for regular Kate, the 08 stood out most for me. I found that particular year loaded with chocolate. It seemed perfectly balanced between the fresher cocoa, burnt malt, touch of fruit and coffee profile and the flat, more sherried, fruit forward nature of the 06.
     
  3. HuskyinPDX

    HuskyinPDX Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2011 Washington

    How was the 07?
     
  4. Rob1110

    Rob1110 Initiate (0) Jul 7, 2012 Massachusetts

    I vaguely remember the 06 and 07, not because they weren't good but the 08 stood out quite a bit because of those chocolate notes. I think the 6 and 7 had more of the subdued, slightly oxidized fruit notes you would expect from a beer with so much age. I also remember not loving the 07 double oaked. I felt those were much better fresh.
     
  5. HuskyinPDX

    HuskyinPDX Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2011 Washington

  6. deltatauhobbit

    deltatauhobbit Pooh-Bah (1,941) Dec 3, 2007 Maine
    Pooh-Bah

    I've thought the '08 has been the best of the years I've had (08, 10, 11). I've found it to be less sugary sweet or cloying than later vintages, I also think it had a more upfront dark fruit aspect. Can't say for how well it's aged yet, haven't opened a bottle in awhile now.
     
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