2005-2007 Bells Expedition Stout

Kevin....

 

I don't see any benefit in letting them sit any long than you have. To be brutally honest, they're probably on a downward slide at this point. But that is my opinion and nothing more, so please don't let one person's thoughts sway you.

In my experience, most Imperial stouts tend to peak out at two years or so, including Expedition. Does this mean the beer goes bad? Hardly. It should still be fine. But it does mean that after a certain point, oxidation will inevitably set in and possibly override the desirable characteristics sought through cellaring. Remember that cellaring does not magically transform a beer into something it never was in the first place. All it does is allows certain subtleties to step forward, usually a more complex malt profile and subsiding hoppiness in the case of Imperial stouts. That's all.

But, yes, absolutely, you should still enjoy those beers. And your for a tasting with friends sounds like a fine idea. If it were me, I would see if I could obtain some 2013 Expedition to compare against the beers that you have. And if not, then I'd probably wait until the 2014 batch comes out later this year. A few more months isn't going to matter much. But it would be cool to compare the beers that you have against fresher Expedition. That would be a worthwhile experience that will make opening these beers more meaningful.

As for the 7000, I have never tried it, so I cannot speak it that one. Hopefully someone else can.

 

Find '08-present Expedition Stout and do a nice vertical. Make your friends track down some of the newer years...that way everyone wins and shares the cost.

I have a few of the Bells Batch series and would agree that they are probably on the downward trend but still very drinkable.

Enjoy!

 

I wish I would have seen this last week. Just did a '10 - '13, would have helped a bit.

Side note, 2012 was not that great, but the 2010, amazing. I don't know what that says about your much older ones, but it looks good. Am I mistaken that Bells said you could age it indefinitely?

 

I've got four '12's left and plan on drinking them soon. I had one not long ago and found that I do enjoy them a little more on the fresher side. I'm sure your vertical will be awesome! It would be very interesting to see what 10 years has done to such a remarkable beer. Enjoy!

 

5 year old expo is perfect in my book

 

As elektrikjester said, I enjoy most stouts between 2 and 4 years in the cellar. Expedition Stout is one of my exceptions. I have had several properly cellared up to 10 years out and I have to say I love this one with some time on it. YMMV. Really hope @kzoobrew would would chime in because he has more experience with aged Expy and could probably better describe what to expect as the flavor profile changes.

 

Many of my initial comments will echo what has already been said. I like this beer fresh but really start to enjoy it after a few years. I think at 5 years you really begin to appreciate how well this beer holds up. You can sit on this beer for 20 years, or beyond, and it will still hold up.

Not to oversimplify things, but the best way to describe the change in flavor is the beer smoothes out. You have a lot of "rough corners" when fresh. This is an Imperial Stout, of course you are going to have your fair share of roast. What I think stands out the most when fresh is the aggressive hop bill. You get a ton of bitterness with in the first year or so. These begin to settle out into a more even, well proportioned profile. You get more of a rich chocolate flavor with age. Licorice, soft smoke and at times some dark berry flavors will always become more prominent. The biggest risk you run is oxidation. My personal experience has been favorable, oxidation added a layer of character to the beer but if it had progressed further it would be rather unenjoyable.

If you have a couple bottles of each, do a small vertical now and decide on the rest after drinking. While I don't know if it will ever make it to the growler station or bottles, keep an eye out for Dagger Stout. Dagger is based off the Batch 7000 recipe, it would make a great side by side to drink both.

 

I'm grateful that some people have more ambition than me. OP, if you can obtain an entire run of 2008-2013 Expeditions--go for it! That will be one heck of a vertical.

I cannot agree more with what @kzoobrew says more. One reason I love Expedition with a bit of age on it has a lot to do with that pleasant, albeit subtle licorice note that really seems to step forward. I have less of an issue with Expedition, but other stouts--notably Founders Imperial--really do demand time to let the hoppiness subside and smooth out the beer. FIS is a bit too aggressive fresh. In addition to the flavor, I find that some stouts seem to develop a certain "creaminess" about them.

I probably have a bit less tolerance for extended aging of Imperials, but it certainly can be done. I love how bottles of Courage Imperial Stout have drink by dates some 12-13 years out.

And, @kzoobrew thanks for clarifying that oxidation is not always a bad thing. It can be unpleasant in excess. But whenever cellaring beers for an extended period--say, 2 years onward, it's going to be there. The main thing is that it contribute to the profile of what you're tasting. Case in point was a six-year-old Thomas Hardy Ale I had the other day where the oxidation folded itself nicely into the other flavor profiles.

 

Chris from beer temple has done this.

 

I really like the way Chris in this video contextualizes Expedition's place back in the day. A bit rambling, but great video.

 

2009s are drinking flawless right now

 

Chris hit the nail on the head regarding a lot of things in that video.

 

I finally set down to watch the video, it took my a while because 1. its long and 2. many video beer reviewers seem to annoy the shit out of me, but this was well worth my time. Chris did a great job, very insightful video.

As to some of the unanswered questions from the video, I know Expedition has been around since 1989, though I cannot comment on if it was brewed prior. I do believe it was also the first continually brewed, true, Russian Imperial Stout in the states. Try if you will, but I do not think you will find a RIS out there today that predates Expedition.