Aging Backwoods Bastard

"Bourbon is almost gone. Toasted coconut, wood, vanilla, still a bit of early heat. Finishes smooth."
This is what I wrote in Untappd for a 2012 Backwoods I had in April. I personally love aged Backwoods but have never had anything past 3 years old. It would be interesting to see what 2 additional years or so does to it. I say try it.

 

The Bastard is a beer that I drink fresh. I put down a four-pack of 2012 & had one about a year ago & was less than impressed, to say the least; if memory serves it had gotten muddled & weird. I didn't care for it at all. But I had three more that I didn't care to drink, so I'm letting them ride to see if Backwoods really sucks to age, or if it was just going through its awkward teenage years. I'm hoping it comes out the other side in another year or two back in the tasty range.

 

I had one last night from last year's release. Thought it was the best one I've had in a long time.

 

I agree with BadBreath. Best one I had one I had ever had was sitting at a year old. I preferred the 2013 to the 2014 this past year when I tried them side by side.

 

I recently had two from 2014 release. I thought it still tasted great but it did seem as if the bourbon had gotten a weaker taste. I do not plan on letting the rest, well maybe one or two bottles of my lot go past November when I hope to stock up on more because it'd be a shame to let a great beer get to be a mess.

 

I recently had a 2011 and it was fantastic.

 

I prefer this beer at about 3 to 9 months the bourbon falls off after that pretty quick after that .

 

It's one of my favorite beers and I have never had one aged that compares to fresh.

 

I agree with the 3 to 9 month post, I've had it fresh and a year aged which didn't taste quite as good, but earlier this year I had it when it was about 5 months old and it tasted fantastic.

 

Interesting. We had one from last year about a week ago & I thought it was borderline crappy. Tasted like a barleywine that was going through its muddle phase. My wife - a Bastard fiend - thought it was just OK.

That said, before I figured out I didn't like it aged, I tossed a few in the cellar. I pulled out an '11 last night & will check to see how it's doing soon.

 

I agree with the 3-9mth window. Not sure that is actual aging but that is a sweat spot for the beer. Ive had it with 18months and it gains nothing more and loses a little IMHO. Fresh, the bourbon is a little harsh but give it a few months of slight fade and it is in the zone. So drink it up now!

 

Its all a matter of opinion on what age you like this beer. But it is definitely worth at least holding one for a year to see if its going in a direction you like. I personally like it fresh.

 

I have a few older bottles and I really regret letting this one age. I love this beer fresh but age takes away all of the positive attributes that I enjoy.

 

Had a 2010 recently and it was a drain pour

 

I did a 2011-2014 vertical this past november. I think 2-3 years is probably the sweet spot for this one. All the dark fruit/molasses flavor is still there and the bourbon has subsided enough that you can taste the other more subtle flavors. 2011 was still very good but the underlying flavors had faded noticeably.

 

Structurally it just collapses after a year in the bottle.

 

Had a 2013 on the river last night, really holding up well.

 

Interesting seeing opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other. Just goes to show there is no correct answer on this one. Do what works for you.

 

At this point save the '14 and have it next to '15 ... I doubt you'll be saving one again.

I had a 3 or 4 year old BB at a bar and it was like a good aged scotch ale/ old ale but had lost all bourbon... basically I'd consider aging dirty 6pks with much less heartache/ cost to get a similar effect.