Advice on when to drink 2012 Beers

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by videofrog, Oct 7, 2013.

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  1. videofrog

    videofrog Maven (1,256) Nov 13, 2010 Texas
    Trader

    Plan: Open 2 bottles annually from 2012 to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I would have done a better job of accumulating, but she came in '12 instead of '13, so I'm limited on what I have and what I might be able to find on the shelf.

    2012 Beers in my current inventory:
    Jester King Funk Metal Batch 1 (x2)
    Founders Imperial stout (x2)
    Westy XII (x4)
    North Coast Old Stock Ale (x4)
    DFH Palo Santo (x3)
    Deschtues The Dissident
    Deschutes The Abyss
    Deschutes Black Butte XXIV
    Ommegang Three Philosophers
    Terrapin Wake 'n Bake
    Brooklyn Black Ops
    Cantillon St. Lamvinus
    Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze
    Real Ale Sisyphus
    Stone Vertical 12.12.12
    Stone Mint Chocolate Imperial Stout
    Alaskan Smoked Porter
    Sam Adams Griffin's Bow
    Sam Adams New World Tripel
    Samuel Smith's Yorkshire Stingo
    Prearis Quad

    Advice Requested: How would you prioritize these? Which ones would you open next month, wait until 2014, 2015, 2020, etc? Not trying to "improve" any of these beers, just want to drink a couple of '12s every year for sentimental reasons, but also to get the best out of what I have under my self-imposed constraints.

    I'm also open to suggestions on stuff to grab off shelves (Fuller's Vintage, Unibroue, Chimay, Rochefort, Orval, etc), should some still be left over from '12. I'm pretty certain I can still grab some more Alaskan Smoked Porter.

    Thanks in advance for your help!
     
    #1 videofrog, Oct 7, 2013
  2. ManforallSaisons

    ManforallSaisons Pooh-Bah (1,554) Mar 20, 2008 Belgium
    Pooh-Bah

    From my limited experience, I'd say the Westy is best in the range of 5-8 years. I had a case that seemed to peak then, with lots of material precipitating out by yeas 7-8 -- still tasted great, port-like character. The lambic-based stuff is probably longer-lived.
     
    #2 ManforallSaisons, Oct 8, 2013
  3. danimalthegreat

    danimalthegreat Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Texas

    I had a 2012 Palo Santo last week and it was great... I enjoyed it more than when it was fresh. On the other hand, I had a 2012 and 2011 Three Phils side by side and thought the '11 was much better than the '12, so I'd be hesitant to drink the Three Phils this year. Just my two cents.
     
    #3 danimalthegreat, Oct 9, 2013
  4. RDMII

    RDMII Initiate (0) Apr 11, 2010 Georgia

    Any time you want? Other people's opinions and experiences shouldn't be your baseline of when you want to drink your beers. I know you're looking for feedback, but I personally trust my own tastes over anyone else.
     
    #4 RDMII, Oct 9, 2013
    RobM77 and Orlando_Beer_Drinker like this.
  5. jmdrpi

    jmdrpi Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,989) Dec 11, 2008 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Let the Old Stock go longer than a year. I've had at fresh, 1, 2, and 3 years and it just keeps getting better.
     
    #5 jmdrpi, Oct 10, 2013
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  6. AdamF625

    AdamF625 Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2010 Massachusetts

    Save the Alaskan smoked, drink the founders RIS and WnB.
     
    #6 AdamF625, Oct 10, 2013
  7. Orlando_Beer_Drinker

    Orlando_Beer_Drinker Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2013 Florida

    I'll be opening my Stone 12.12.12 on 12.12.13. You can always check with the different brewers for an idea on what they say is the ideal aging time. There's numerous books about it. I'm currently reading "The Naked Pint".
     
    #7 Orlando_Beer_Drinker, Dec 4, 2013
  8. Kuester

    Kuester Initiate (0) May 14, 2012 Colorado

    I would drink the Stone Mint Chocolate relatively soon, if the mint isn't already gone I would expect it to be soon. Had one a few months ago that hadn't changed a lot yet so you're probably ok for now.
     
    #8 Kuester, Dec 5, 2013
  9. bayridge27

    bayridge27 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2009 New York

    The Black Ops (if it is the 2012 release), you should sit on for another year. After cellaring several vintages of this, they need at least 1 year of aging to cool off, and I think another year to hit its prime.

    No reason to sit on the Three Philosophers. Its a very accesible beer and nothing should stop you from drinking now.
     
    #9 bayridge27, Dec 5, 2013
  10. JasonLovesBeer

    JasonLovesBeer Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2013 Canada (BC)

    I am going with 12.13.14 for my bottle of 12.12.12!

    My limited comments:

    Dissident anywhere from fresh to 4 years. 2 years is a good median.
    Abyss anywhere from fresh to 6 years.
    St. Lam anytime from now until after retirement. Development is slow enough that I wouldn't be patient enough to wait.
     
    #10 JasonLovesBeer, Dec 5, 2013
  11. mdfb79

    mdfb79 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,757) Jan 11, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Below are my personal preferences:



    Founders Imperial stout (x2) (does not change much with 1-2 years on it)
    Westy XII (x4) (5-8 years on it)
    Deschutes The Abyss (1-4 years on it)
    Deschutes Black Butte XXIV (fresh...didn't feel older bottles of the anniversary beers were as goo as fresh)
    Terrapin Wake 'n Bake (fresh)
    Brooklyn Black Ops (3-5 years on it. Wouldn't drink fresh)
    Cantillon St. Lamvinus (depends if you want more fruit (drink now), or less fruit more sour (4-6 years on it)
    Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze (anytime is great)
    Alaskan Smoked Porter (fresh - 2 years on it)

    Personally I think Fullers Vintage Ale with 4 years on it is fantastic and easy to drink...would suggest adding that to the mix.
     
    #11 mdfb79, Dec 5, 2013
  12. Dupage25

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

    North Coast Old Stock is best with 2+ years on it. I've yet to have an older bottle that didn't taste better than a younger one.
     
    #12 Dupage25, Dec 5, 2013
  13. jtmartino

    jtmartino Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2010 California

    Drink the Stone Mint and Terrapin Wake 'n Bake. Both use adjuncts that fade over time. I had a Stone mint last week and the mint was gone.
     
    #13 jtmartino, Dec 5, 2013
  14. jbeezification

    jbeezification Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2012 Texas

    We drank a Black Butte 24 a few weeks ago and it was delicious. Definitely better than fresh.
     
    #14 jbeezification, Dec 6, 2013
  15. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just had the mint stout last weekend and it still tastes like colgate.
     
    #15 SFACRKnight, Dec 6, 2013
  16. TheBeerDad

    TheBeerDad Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2012 Michigan

    Please dont do this on her birthday annually, its her day not yours.
     
    #16 TheBeerDad, Dec 6, 2013
  17. Stinger80OH

    Stinger80OH Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2011 Ohio

    The FIS and WnB need to be consumed ASAP IMO. The 3 Philosphers isn't likely gonna gain much either from "cellaring" so I would drink that one too. Cheers!
     
    #17 Stinger80OH, Dec 6, 2013
  18. videofrog

    videofrog Maven (1,256) Nov 13, 2010 Texas
    Trader

    Dude, lighten up. I didn't start drinking until 9:30 am. I wasn't stumbling until around lunchtime. And I don't think anybody noticed when I barfed all over the cake when trying to blow out the candles myself. Plus, she won't remember these first few birthday celebrations anyway, so what's wrong with all of the guests focusing their attention on me?
     
    #18 videofrog, Dec 6, 2013
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  19. billverstein

    billverstein Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2011 Canada (ON)

    I've had a couple 2005 St Lam's that were amazing! Don't be scared to lay that one down for several years
     
    #19 billverstein, Dec 6, 2013
  20. videofrog

    videofrog Maven (1,256) Nov 13, 2010 Texas
    Trader

    For all of those with helpful responses, I really appreciate it. I thought this thread had died weeks ago. Anyway, I only managed to open the St. Lam and shared it with two other beer-loving relatives. I'll get to the WNB soon as I'm sure the coffee is fading fast. I'll hold out on the Stone Mint Chocolate until next year; I had one about 6 or 7 months ago and the mint was still prominent. I did pick up a Fuller's Vintage and a Cuvee Renee to add to the list.
     
    #20 videofrog, Dec 6, 2013
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