2007-2009 Black Albert find?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by lostsurf24, Mar 19, 2012.

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  1. lostsurf24

    lostsurf24 Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2007 Massachusetts

    Hi all,

    So came across a gem this weekend I did not know I even had. Sunday evening my lady and I were invited to my parents’ house for dinner. Seeing that a few people had some wine I chose to go to the fridge and grab myself a beer. Now my parents normally keep a few beers around the house but nothing fancy. But here and there I would be there through the years and have a few rare or hard to find brews with me to share.

    So for some reason when I reached into the fridge Sunday to grab myself a cold one I had this strange feeling that I should look carefully at what’s inside and find something good. To my amazement I pulled out a funny looking dark bottle with a red and black label. At first I really thought nothing of it. But then I realized what it was. It was a bottle of De Struise Black Albert. Randomly sitting in my parents fridge next to a bottle of soy sauce and Coors light. Now what are the friggin odds of this? At first I can't believe it. Even weirder is that I had JUST been talking about this beer to my girlfriend and a friend of mine a few weeks back in regard to the KaBert that I had wanted to try since Kate the Great just came out again. Anyways I realized that I must have gotten this from a trade buddy of mine? Either way it must be from somewhere between 2007-2009. I did find a 2007 date on it but I think that was also the year they created it for Ebeneezers. Anyways I was hoping someone might have some insight into what year it could be from? Did they bottle it each year?

    So we did what any beer lover would do...We opened that sucker up and smelled. Still had its carbonation and that classic sound. Smelled great and poured a nice thick oily black with a nice tan head. Of course we had to taste it and it tasted wonderful. Now I'm not an expert (are any BA's REALLY experts if it's not your job to be one?) But it did tasted fantastic. My other question is would this age well and would it have tasted even better if it was fresh? So anyways, sorry for the long winded explanation but any beer lover in MA or New England yesterday can see how finding that yesterday afternoon and sharing it with your family sitting outside on the porch in shorts in a t-shirt was an added bonus to a perfect day.
     
    #1 lostsurf24, Mar 19, 2012
  2. Brabander

    Brabander Initiate (0) Oct 10, 2009 Netherlands

    Great story about a great beer. The Black Albert becomes better when you age it. I am not sure how long you can age the beer but it must be more than, let's say, 5 years. The BA is my favourite Struise beer. I have had some Kabert but the BA is the best!
     
    #2 Brabander, Mar 19, 2012
  3. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes, I would second this. The oldest I've ever had was just over a year old, but I thuoght it considerably better than the same beer when fresh. Likewise, I don't know how long you can age it, but I can't see any reason to take a chance. 2 or 3 years would probably be as long as I'd want to age the beer.
     
    #3 John_M, Mar 19, 2012
  4. infi

    infi Savant (1,072) Apr 4, 2009 New York
    Trader

    Glad to hear! I've got an '07 myself too.
     
    #4 infi, Mar 19, 2012
  5. tendermorsel

    tendermorsel Initiate (0) Oct 22, 2006 Massachusetts

    From a cellaring point of view that beer will be fine. I am convinced that Black Albert bottles are strong enough ABV to cellar for 10 + plus. I think that the first batch of Black Albert was brewered for the Ebanezer's Belgian fest in the summer of 2006. Which was absloutely delicious. Based on the info you gave from the bottle this is not part of that batch but the second batch which was actually imported to the states. If it is indeed that 2nd batch you may find the beer to have some Quad/Port like qualities. Almost sour. I had one of these a few months back and it was great stuff. I like this verison but many others have not. It is not as good as the original or batches since. I definately don't want to scare you off. Any Struise beer is a good beer.
     
    #5 tendermorsel, Mar 19, 2012
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