Aging past the "Best by...." date?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by lookrider, Jan 20, 2013.

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  1. lookrider

    lookrider Savant (1,208) Apr 22, 2007 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    I just stopped at a bottle shop in another state that I don't get to very often and picked up a 750 of Unibroue's Don de Dieu which I've wanted to try for a long time. I get home and am lovingly ogling the bottle when I see that the Best By date was 4 months ago. Unibroue says that their beers age nicely but the ones purchased along with the Don, La Fin and Trois Pistoles, had best by dates in 2014 so I assume the bottle of Don I got was past the time Unibroue brewers would have considered it to be in it's prime. Question is, should I drink it right away because it's starting to go downhill or can I save if for a few months to have with my brother when he comes for a visit which was my plan when purchasing?
     
  2. benetoh

    benetoh Zealot (536) Feb 2, 2008 New Jersey

    I have never tried a Don De Dieu that has been aged, so the only advice I can give is if the store had more on the shelf, open the one you have. If it is good, you can always get more. If it sucks, then don't.
     
  3. lookrider

    lookrider Savant (1,208) Apr 22, 2007 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Well, I opened the Don and now I'm regretting not saving it until my brother comes to visit. It's 4 months past the best by date so it's got at least a couple of years since bottling and it's just fantastic. Still got good carbonation and I taste no oxidation. I think it's as good as La Fin. At least now I know that they can go past that best by date and I imagine the dark ales would age even better. I don't cellar anything intentionally but it's useful information
     
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