Was looking for a sticky before posting this...sorry if this breaks any rules. Long time listener, first time caller. About a year ago someone gave me a few bottles that had been cellared, but told me to wait about a year before drinking. Stars are aligning. KBS 2012 KBS 2013 Bourbon County Brand Stout 11/11/11 Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron Feb '08 I also have been saving a couple bottles of Dark Horse Plead the 5th from Early '14. Drink any of these? Keep aging them? What would you do?
Drink one, feel satisfied for doing it and then hold them for the next time you get an urge for something really, really nice, like what you have. You aren't going to see much swing in taste on the KBS 12 or 13, carbonation has receided a bit and initial hops are bye-bye but it's still pretty close because of the booze, which mellows out a little but retains some of the initial flavor. Those are all great beers man, especially with time.
Of the four listed, I'd continue cellaring the Palo Santo Marron. As for KBS, my experience has been that cellaring does little for the beer, especially considering the coffee notes.
Joe555 - Welcome to BA! I would recommend trying to find some new BCBS when it releases tomorrow and then do a side by side taste test between the 2011 and 2014. This will give you an idea of what aging can/will do to a beer. I would then recommend deciding if you think it is in your interest to age/cellar beers. Few beers improve with age. All beers change with age. I have some favorites that I have cellared only to find out I like the beer much better fresh. Others I find have taken on some interesting characteristics. My best advice is - don't go crazy putting beers away for another day. Your cellar can get real big real quick and you will have more beer than you know what to do with. Seriously. This is experience talking. The vast majority of beer is made to be drank, not collected. Cheers, and enjoy your time on BA!
