Aging Backwoods Bastard

A tasting group I am in did a 2011 and 2014 side by side this past Sunday. Half of the group liked the 2011. Half the group liked the 2014. There was certainly a difference between the two.

 

When the most recent batch was released, a bar near me got a keg of 2012, and it was absolutely sublime. I picked up a couple 4pks with the intent of aging them to about 2 years given how tasty the 2012 was, but I think I'm gonna crack one this week and see how it's drinking.

 

I buy a case every year. This beer is my personal favorite, so I drink 1-2 per week. It really changes IMHO. Fresh it is a little disjointed, brash and hot. I believe it peaks in 6-9 month period and falls off after one year. It becomes thin, loses bourbon flavor and the beauty it was at 6 months is completely gone. I've tried to age past a year in perfect conditions: didn't go well for me.

On the other hand: at my cottage I've got 12 in the fridge at 33 degrees from last fall: Still brash, and bold. If I plan on drinking one, I pull it out a couple weeks in advance to promote a blending of the flavors.

 

I think if you keep these guys at good cellar temp (50 degrees), they are great! basement floor is perfect if it's concrete and you live in NWI (shitty weather). Got a good sized vertical of 12-14 going that are still tasting good. go get em!

 

Update from June: So I have broken into my stash of last years BB in anticipation for this years release and fall just seems like a reason to drink some! I am a little disappointed with how they have held up. The beer seems to have "fallen apart" and the bourbon had as anticipated faded. I will keep some for a vertical but I am not sure they are something I would age more than one year.

 

That's pretty much exactly my take on it. Unfortunately I threw back a four pack to age before I knew that.

 

Have to agree. I've had a vertical on tap and for me 2014>2013>2012>2011.

It just turned into a sour-y mess with little bourbon notes left. I have made a point the last few years to not cellar it.

 

Had one at 8 months and it was disappointing, not going to set any aside this year for more than a month or so. Bummer because it is one of my favorites but just lost its greatness over time IMO

 

So you all scared me into drinking one last night. It was fine. Not as good as the one I had in May. Bourbon flavor is taking a backseat to the caramel notes was the main thing I noticed. 6 months does appear to be the sweet spot for this beer.

 

Yeah fresh this is one of my favorite beers ever. I just don't know how it could improve with age as I don't think it drinks hots, and I would be worried about the flavors mellowing too much. On the other hand, its not real expensive so saving 1 shouldn't be too much trouble.

 

I'm starting to think this beer can go in any direction with some age on it based on these comments and my own personal experience. I'm drinking a 2014 bottle right now and it is fantastic. It's very similar to fresh but it has lost the barnyard funk that it had when fresh. It is still quite bourbon forward and I dig it.

I was able to purchase a four pack of their 2013 bottles when Founders sold extra BB and KBS a few weeks after KBS release. I had one of the 2013 BB bottles then when it was about 16 months. It was a shell of its former self. Maybe it wasn't kept in a cool place??? I don't know but I walked away from that beer wanting to drink BB fresh.

 

It thins out really quickly. I just had a 2013 bottle that I had unintentionally left in the cellar, and it was very oxidized. I didn't enjoy it, and it was nothing like what it was before.

 

Really surprised by some of the reviews of this aged. I recently cracked a 2013 bottle and was floored. Also, it was aged in a 55 degree beer fridge so I'm hoping that had something to do with the positive outcome.

 

opened a 2013 that's been stored @ 50* since purchase a couple nights ago. was incredibly smooth and complex and still had some barrel.

i'd imagine storage conditions play a pretty big role in the variances you'll see.

 

I am guessing that you could be on to something with storage. Maybe optimal storage is the key. Either way I intend to drink a bunch fresh next months when it comes out

 

Had a 2013 myself last night. Very smooth although bourbon flavor still present. Kept in 45degree wine fridge in dark. Although smoother than when fresh or even at a year, to me it lost a little something. Still a very good beer, but I am sticking with the 3-9 month window as my favorite. With that said a very enjoyable beer none the less.

 

Had a 2014 a couple days ago. Thin, muddy, little bourbon, slight oxidization. Not good.

 

I too have tried aging this beer and prefer it fresh.

 

I just opened one from 2014, it's true this beer has lost something. It's still good and drinkable but not as good as it is fresh, much thinner and not as much bourbon. I am disappointed because this is a great beer fresh I wouldn't recommend letting it sit for a year.

 

Ditto