Aging high ABV saisons...

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by smaisch, May 5, 2012.

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  1. smaisch

    smaisch Devotee (361) Nov 23, 2009 California

    So when I was just starting to get into beer in 2009, I picked up a Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux.

    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/637/1716

    Now it's 2012 and I still haven't opened it for whatever reason. It's pretty high ABV for a saison at 9.5%. Is there anything I should expect with this? Has anyone tried a saison with similar ABV and years on it?

    Wondering if the funk has increased at all or if it's just mellowed out and it will be disappointing.

    Thoughts?
     
    #1 smaisch, May 5, 2012
  2. SpruceFish

    SpruceFish Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2009 Washington

    Bottle conditioned beer typically has live yeast thus funk, sour, yeasty goodness should increase as they convert more sugars
     
    #2 SpruceFish, May 5, 2012
  3. smaisch

    smaisch Devotee (361) Nov 23, 2009 California

    Any amount of years you can estimate before this would begin to fall off?
     
    #3 smaisch, May 5, 2012
  4. Eriktheipaman

    Eriktheipaman Pooh-Bah (2,303) Sep 4, 2010 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Had a year old Saison that was 8% and it was still drinking great. Not a whole lot of difference that I could tell. I'd be interested in trying one with a couple or more years on it.
     
    #4 Eriktheipaman, May 5, 2012
  5. clegolfski

    clegolfski Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2008 Ohio
    Trader

    Had an 09 Saison Brett the other day. Was really bright and tasty. Body seemed to be a bit thin.
     
    #5 clegolfski, May 5, 2012
  6. poopinmybutt

    poopinmybutt Zealot (643) May 25, 2005 Nebraska

    also had an older blvd saison brett a month or so ago and agree with clegolfski. very bright, brett was actually not that out of control and the body was thinner than a fresh one. it was amazing.
     
    #6 poopinmybutt, May 5, 2012
  7. tobelerone

    tobelerone Grand Pooh-Bah (4,220) Dec 1, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Had a 3 plus-years old Hennepin the other night that had been refrigerated in relative darkness for most of its life and it was damn good. FWIW. 7.5 ABV%, I believe.
     
    #7 tobelerone, May 7, 2012
  8. Nuggethops

    Nuggethops Initiate (0) Jun 7, 2010 New Hampshire

    I've only ever aged Saison Rue and Saison Brett, neither past two years and I was pleased with the results. I had a 9 month old Flora from HF that was pretty dam spectacular and wouldn't mind grabbing some more to cellar for a year or two.
     
    #8 Nuggethops, May 8, 2012
  9. trevorjn06

    trevorjn06 Initiate (0) Mar 5, 2010 Washington

    This isn't neccesarily true unless the beer has Brettanomyces or bacteria in it (Lactobacillus or Pediococcus). Normally bottle conditioned beers have just Saccharomyces cerevisiae in them and the flavors should mellow/change over time by the yeast slowly processing aroma/flavor compounds, hop flavor/aroma decreasing, the bitterness changing (perhaps fading) and the malt perception changing in various ways due to oxidation. If funk and sour notes are increasing the beer is either infected, such as many Fantome beers are (which are delicious IMO) or it was a sour in the first place.

    That being said I have a vertical of Avec Le Bon Voux and I think this and many other saisons age quite well. Dupont beers don't have Brett or bacteria in them and won't get tart but they will change.

    Cheers!
     
    #9 trevorjn06, May 10, 2012
  10. Chisholm

    Chisholm Aspirant (224) Dec 18, 2006 Ohio

    I had a ~10 year old saison w. brett at a tasting, and it was one of the best beers I've ever had.
     
    #10 Chisholm, May 11, 2012
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