Age on Belgian ales?

A lot of the higher abv brews such as the Quads, Big Tripels you can consider, also the wild yeast brews such as the lambics gueuzes. Orval is a classic candidate some like to age also. It varies some people like them fresh, some like them aged.

So for example, for Ommegang... Three Phillosphers.. a big quad.. you can consider aging that one if you like.

 

Personal preference. Going against the grain I don't think Belgians age at all well.

 

I agree here. Most quads I've found age really nicely. The alcohol tones down and what's left is a real nice blend of flavors. The Trader Joes annual quads were the first I started aging and try them right before the best by dates. They clean up really well.

 

I am not a cellar person for ANY beer... but those can certainly work for people.

Knew someone who actually found a Three Philosophers hiding behind his cellar that fell out of sight, and was hidden for nearly 7-9 years... He said it tasted like Port it was incredible.

 

Something that you may or may not have noticed (some people don't).

If you look up a beer in the database and then click on its style you get taken to the style description page. On the right hand side and down just a bit there is a generic recommendation about cellaring that style of beer.

Doesn't tell you what flavor changes to expect, but that's where the Cellaring forum folks can be helpful as many of them will have aged a number of different beers and can tell you about their experience. Most beers don't improve with age, some hold up fairly well with a bit of age, some may seem to change for the better with age (depending on your personal tastes).

 

9 percent and higher in the abv age best. That said the bigger bottles with more of the good yeast and such in the bottom age better than the 11.2 oz varieties.

 

I agree about 3 Philosophers. Didn't like it fresh much but with a couple years turned out solid. I know what you mean with cellaring. I haven't had the best of experiences with aging uncorked beers but then again they won't stand the test of time with oxidation.

 

Get a fresh Chimay Blue now, and 1 to age.

Also, I think Orval is great fresh - 2 years. After that, it starts to get very boozy.

 

For Belgian Strongs made in Trappist styles, most examples are best fresh.

Other than Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10, which supposedly peak at 5 years, Orval is nice under 3 years, and Westmalle Dubbel is probably best fresh but changes in a way that some might like for up to 2 years.

St. Bernardus is the best Quad fresh by far, but it fades after 2 years. Having had Heinnipin and one or two others, I would assume that Omnegang beers age similarly to Unibroue, which means do not age.

 

Chimay Blue and Chimay White label--both. They are incredible with 2+ years on them.

 

Had a 2007 Chimay blue a few months ago. Mind blowing. Try aging that for a while and see. A wicked old quad is one of my favorite treats. And hit some lambics up. Once a solid gueuze crosses a certain age, it's a whole new beast

 

Personal preference aside...

Which Belgian are you referring to?
Chimay Blue, Duvel, Palm? Perhaps Dupont? McChouffe? Certainly not Jupiler or Stella Artois but maybe. Cantillon and Lindemans of course. Rodebach is ok for aging? Is Ommegang even Belgian? or just Belgian style what ever that may mean.

One rule of "Belgian Beer", there is no Belgian Beer and there are no rules. There are a few dozen categories if not a hundred unique beers. Generalizations about Belgian Beer are best avoided.

Ok, rant over.
Cheers.

 

IMHO, the darker Belgians age well, the lighter color ones do not.
Dubbels and Quads are usually great with some time on them (properly cellared, of course) but the lighter ones (Saisons and Tripels)
have hop and yeast character that does not take time well.

 

I'm no style **** but it's incredibly easy to see a common thread running through each of the main Belgian styles. Anyway, most of those beers you listed I would say don't age well. Trappist quads I'd also include. To each his own.

 

I agree. I don't find Tripels age all that well to my tastes but a couple year old dubbel (if big enough) on up for the darker colored beers can be fun to age a few years. I think the two to three year range is my preferred range.

 

I have aged adoration, their dark winter ale, and 3 philosophers. they both get taste great with some age on them. ommegang's website says hennepin is good for 3 years and dubbel and 3 philosophers for 5 years. age some and see how you like them. IMO aging makes some beers better and others different in a good way but not necessarily better. you just have to try it a see what you like. keep records though so you know.

 

I had an Orval recently and thought it tasted like a super carbonated farmhouse ale. Most likely had been sitting at the store for a year or two and at temps in the high 60s...I'm wagering a guess that the Brett in that one had been quite active.

 

Not a bad description of it actually! I think it settles out nicely in 1-2 years, declines after 3, but doesn't drop off a cliff, I've found in a few vertical tastings.

 

I'm working through a case puts aside something like 5-6 years ago. Past its prime but it's still fascinating, with a port wine quality as the malt persists and other elements level out.