2016 Golden Angel Issues?

Diacetyl yes, but what's causing the sulfur smell?

 

Pretty sure no Wicked Weed bottles are bottle-conditioned, unless they have very recently started doing so and I'm not aware. I'm not sure I understand what you mean when say that "sometimes they have issues when they keg them." There shouldn't be any difference. Which is why they don't bottle-condition, so they can try to avoid things like carbonation issues.

 

They definitely bottle condition their beers. Two recent Instagram posts referencing bottle conditioning:

 

Gotcha, well perhaps they have started doing it. When I heard Walt give a talk about their sour beers a while back he said they didn't and weren't planning to any time soon. That was over a year ago now though, so I guess they've changed it up. Thanks for the examples!

 

We opened a bottle Saturday evening and it didn't taste right. It was all apricot with a buttery taste. I was very disappointed, especially since it was being shared with friends. So glad that I only bought 6. I am going to set the rest back and see if the issue will resolve itself.

 

Maybe that has something to do with why I've liked some of their more recent ones better than most I've had in the past? Probably part that and part the fact that they've had some recent ones at better price points (Garçon de Ferme for example).

 

I do think there's a difference between truly bottle conditioning (i.e. carbonating from the yeast in the bottle) and letting a sour condition in the bottle to clear out some of the issues. Wicked Weed might be calling the later bottle conditioning, though it's not what I'd typically call bottle conditioning.

Definitely sounds like we need to sit on these for a while. I'm probably going to open one this weekend just so I have a baseline, and because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment.

Has anyone contacted Wicked Weed about this?

 

Cracked a bottle last night. It was definitely a little off in the nose, and the carbonation was very fizzy. Taste was really good though, tons of apricot with a good bit of a sour bite. I think a little more time in the bottle will really help it to develop. Sucks to wait, but if the nose and carb catch up to the taste, this is a great beer.

 

My wife and I ended up with 18, so I'm really hoping a 4-6 week cellar will settle the bottles down.

I've always assumed "bottle conditioning" was the former, but it's definitely possible they're referring to the latter...

 

According to a sales rep, Golden Angel went through an unexpected fermentation shortly before release. And that is what is responsible for the smell that we are currently smelling. They should be putting out a press release soon with more details on what exactly happened.

That being said, I'm excited to see how these bottles will turn out given some time.

 

'Unexpected fermentation'. That's... interesting. Though with sours I guess you never really can tell.

 

Confirmed issue on their facebook page.

 

Looks like they've posted some more info on the Wicked Weed website.

HTML:

http://wickedweedbrewing.com/regarding-2016-golden-angel/

They claim to wait it out for 30-60 days and offering refunds to those who do not wish to wait.

 

"As a thank you for your continued support, if you purchased 6 or more bottles (either at the day-of sale, or through pre-sale) you will be gifted a bottle of vintage 2015 Golden Angel. Proof of purchase and ID necessary."

... is this for anyone who purchased 6+, or only those turning in and refunding their 2016 bottles?

 

I'm wondering that as well...

 

It sounds like anyone that purchased 6 or more regardless of whether you want to return your bottles are entitled to a 2015 bottle.

They are also partially refunding bottles that have been opened already.

 

Yes. Clear about that. so if you bough 1-5 bottles... No '15 for you.

 

Kudos to Wicked Weed taking care of this super quickly and in a pretty darn fair fashion.

 

I wouldn't say that its 'clear'. I asked the question on the FB thread, and they said 'Correct', but I asked if it was for people that purchased 6 or more bottles or for people that were returning 6 or more bottles. Still not entirely certain if you can walk up and get a '15 Golden Angel if you aren't returning your '16 bottles. Doesn't really affect my decision one way or the other and I'm going to hold bottles for a couple months before making a decision.

 

Good on them too for assuming that some of the bottles had already been opened (2pp according to the website), so if you bought six, tried two and returned the other four, then you'll be compensated for the six.

A class act and the right move by Walt and everyone involved.