2004 unibroue terrible

The Unibroue bottles I have had during that period have been real sketchy. They had a cork issue back them and many of the bottles have been flat and a gross. Even the bottles that have a good cork haven't been particularly good. I had a 11th Aniversary a year or so ago that had a good cork but still was UGH. I find that most Unibroue stuff starts to go down hill after 4-5 years. The distinct yeast they use make the beer taste like bad cider with extreme aging. Also older bottles I have tried have TON of dead yeast floaties. To the point that you may need a strainer!

Bottom line. I would try the bottle for the sake of science but would never pay 25$ for it.

 

Had a 2002 Trois Pistoles 2 months ago and it was awful. Oxydated big time. Don't buy it!

 

I have a 2008 Terrible I'm sitting on, but I've also found most of their beers don't do well past four-five years. Unibroue even has a suggestion based on their dating code not to exceed a certain time (different per style IIRC). That said, the Grand Reserve 17 or whatever it's called wasn't very pleasing fresh, and most of their beers are better at a year mark, but the shelf life definitely falls off between two-three years. The only one I'd say was differing was their Edition 2004, I found two bottles last year and had one right away and liked it, but I never had it fresh eight years ago so I can't compare. The other I'm saving for 2014 to try a ten year old bottle. If it was cheaper, say $14 at most, I'd pull the trigger, but $25 is steep for what's likely a disappointment.

 

Not too many beers fair well after 8 years. Terrible is a great beer, but that is pretty risky.

 

i would pass (many better bets for $20+), but if i was very tempted i'd make the bartender promise to refund if it's a flat cardboardy mess.

 

And I've had 2002 Quelque Chose and it was tasty as all hell and not oxidized. $25 at a bar on an 8 year old 10.5% abv BSDA that has great ratings on BA? If I had some money to blow why the hell not. If you have to ask a forum if a $25 investment is ir/rational I'd pass. I think it'd be a cool beer to try though.

 

Quelque chose is known to aged well vs other Unibroue beers...

 

quelque chose is also supposed to be flat.

the terrible may very well be good; it's not unthinkable in the slightest that a 10 year old quad stored in a cool dark place would be good. however, i'd proceed with caution, and since you're buying it on premises and they shouldn't be selling it if it's a bottle of undrinkable shit in the first place, i'd tell them i'd only pay if it wasn't awful (ie flat, cardboard).