Aging Imperial Pumpkin Ales

They'll be fine. The amount of flavor drop off will be minuscule.

 

4 to 6 weeks isn't really aging. You probably won't notice a difference. If you aren't going to open them fresh, you definitely won't notice a difference.

 

Why not get 2 of each? Drink one now and then you will be able to tell what a couple of months in the fridge did to the beer.

 

I have put some serious thought into buying a case of Pumpking, but have no idea how they'll hold up over time. I had one about 5-6 months old last year that still tasted pretty decent, but I have no idea if this could hold up over a couple years worth of aging. So I'm curious to know if anyone has given it a shot.

 

Both beers will be fine.

That Harpoon is a big beer clocking in at 10.5% I believe.
A month to chill out will even take the edge off if thats what you prefer.I've had year old Pumking,def. not as good fresh,but still tasty.

Cheers/Enjoy.

 

In my opinion, Pumking gets better after a couple of months. I have a couple from last year I saved to see what they tasted like after a year on them.

 

Ok so I did the same as you, Positioned a couple in the cool cellar to compare to this years batch. Seriously it lost a little, but was not to far off. Instead of buying 3 cases like last year, there will be 6 this year. The King bettered with age up to 9 months.

 

Member since Wednesday, likely not a troll.

 

I've had Pumking with over a year on it and absolutely love it. I love it fresh as well but feel more brown sugar, caramel and vanilla come out with some age. I'll be doing a mini-vert of Pumking in my Pumpkin tasting this Oct with bottles from 2010, 11, 12 and 13. Will also be doing 3 year mini-verts of Uinta Oak Jacked, Fisherman's Imperial Pumpkin Stout and Avery Rumpkin.

You most likely won't notice much, if anything between now and October. 6 Months to a year from now, you might notice a difference. Bigger beers will certainly age better.

 

I had a Unita Oak Jacked that was about 5 months old and I barely tasted any pumpkin. I don't know if the flavor faded or its supposed to taste that way.

 

If you like the in-your-face spices in Pumking (which I personally do), don't age it long term (1 year +). I had a one year old side by side with a fresh and it had faded big time. Still drinkable but I much prefer it fresh.

 

Did the same experiment a couple of weeks ago. That's when I realized that under no circumstances are pumpkin beers cellar-able.

 

I infinitely prefer Pumking with a year on it.