Abyss aging - is it necessary?

Thanks cavedave.

 

10>11, without a doubt

 

i felt this way until i had a 2011 that had aged about a year a few weeks back. the overwhelming cherry presence has subsided and now its one of the best tasting beers i can ever remember
i have 9 left and its killing me not to open one for everybody that comes over.

 

I really am entertained by the recent emergence of the "cherry" flavors in the beer since the label change. The beer has been made with cherry bark since it's commercial inception, not in the last couple years.

http://www.ibabuzz.com/bottomsup/2008/12/13/beer-of-the-week-deschutes-abyss/

I'm not saying folks are not tasting cherries - but I doubt you are tasting cherries this year, or last, if you've had previous batches. Simply put, the quality was fucked in '09, they Gland-slammed that bitch in '10 and have started a slow decline since. But, that's just my opinion, man.

 

Op, if your able to have it on tap in some bar then you shouldn't open it. But if can't have it on tap then crack your bottle open. You would know to pick up more next year if it turns out you like it! I cracked open a bottle when Deschutes first came to MN and it was great, with age better in IMO. Cheers!

 

I used to agree, but I had both recently and as much as I hate to say it, I think the 2010 is starting to go over the peak.