I've searched the forums, but couldn't really find anything about aging it. Does anyone know how BBPT5 ages? I have a bottle that I'm considering aging or maybe even building a vertical with. I don't want to age it if it doesn't improve though. I know that very few beers actually improve with age. It's too hard to get to let deteriorate by aging, if that's what happens with it. I love it fresh so I'll just drink it fresh if people don't think it improves. I know it's just people's opinion about whether something improves or not, so that's mainly what I'm looking for, opinions. Once I get some opinions from experience, I'll make my decision then and not look back. Thanks for the input.
I had the 2013 fresh and with 1 year on it, and I definitely preferred it aged. Everything just seemed more balanced. Then again, who knows how accurately we remember taste. Since you' 've already tried it fresh, I'm guessing most people (myself included) will be on the "age it" boat.
It's so damn good fresh, I have a hard time saving any for aging! Speaking in general terms (which is always a bad idea ), I find most RIS's age well and always have some old Bell's Expedition or Founders Imperial in the cellar. I generally don't age RIS's with adjuncts (coffee, vanilla, etc.) as those flavors fall off.
I did a 13' 14' vertical during the super bowl. I take a long time to drink BA stouts, so it took me 2.5 hours to finish both bottles. I preferred the 14' for the first 30 minutes. As they warmed, the 13' took over. The temp would have started at about 45/50 and came up to I suspect pretty close to 70. Long story short, is I don't think aging has an adverse affect on this beer. Save your bottle for a special occasion and you won't be disappointed.
I've had 2012, 2013 and 2014 over the last year and the 2012 was definitely a shadow of its former self. I say it depends on how you cellar it. If you leave it in a room temperature closet for example, I'd recommend against that.
its at its best fresh in my opinion. its only aged for a short period of time so its not a very harsh beer that needs mellowing. also, the base beer is best fresh in my opinion. i refrigerate all mine to slow down the aging process.
Awesome input, thanks guys. Keep the replies coming in. Stevedore, it's stored in my basement in OH in a box so no light hits it as all either. Temp of my basement is probably not above 60 at any point throughout the year.
