ABV increase in aged IS?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by AlienSwineFlu, Aug 7, 2013.

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  1. AlienSwineFlu

    AlienSwineFlu Savant (1,135) Dec 14, 2012 Ohio

    I'm currently trying a Hoppin' Frog BA BORIS Oatmeal Imperial Stout (2009) (thanks to Lorianneb!). I don't have any experience with aged beer, but I did have a 2012 last week and noticed a couple differences. The 2009 seems to be/have... thicker, a warmer and heavier mouthfeel, more pronounced whiskey taste, and possibly a higher ABV?

    So you guys are the experts, am I imagining this or is there any validity to these observations? Also, if the ABV does increase in a beer like this, is there any way to estimate how much it would increase year-to-year? This particular IS was originally brewed at 9.4%. Thanks!
     
    #1 AlienSwineFlu, Aug 7, 2013
  2. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    Doubt it got stronger. Most likely it was originally blended much more poorly than it is today, meaning newer years would be smoother. It's possible the whiskey flavors are outlasting the beer, which might honestly make sense
     
    #2 Dupage25, Aug 7, 2013
  3. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    ABV will not increase with age unless the beer has an infection. In that case you will also have bottle bombs. Specs on beers can change year to year (brewer tweaking the recipe, using different barrels, etc.)
     
    #3 OddNotion, Aug 7, 2013
    GRG1313 likes this.
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