Avery Maharaja

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by DerekMorgan, Mar 4, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. DerekMorgan

    DerekMorgan Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    I bought a bottle and didn't notice there was a year (Winter 11/12) printed on the label in small letters. I always hear good things about this beer and expected it to be very hoppy but almost all hop characteristics were gone and left it very malty with a very thick mouthfeel and a strong alcohol taste. Could this be caused by the aging and should this be consumed fresh only?
     
  2. quirkzoo

    quirkzoo Initiate (0) Jul 7, 2011 Colorado

    Correct, age on a DIPA will definitely diminish hop characteristics. The batch usually comes out towards the end of January so best to try it as close to then as possible.
     
    FishPondManager likes this.
  3. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Yes.
    Depends on the way you like it.
     
  4. bluejacket74

    bluejacket74 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,305) Jul 4, 2005 Ohio
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Yes, I'd recommend this be drank as fresh as possible.
     
  5. CoachC

    CoachC Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2012 Florida

    If Maharaja is not fresh, it ain't worth the $$. That being said, I just picked up a couple bombers of Maharaja bottled in late January of 2013.
     
  6. alexipa

    alexipa Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2011 Colorado

    Maharaja tends to be more on the malty side anyway for a DIPA... so with some age it would definitely be malt heavy. I really like it fresh as well as with some age!
     
  7. williamjbauer

    williamjbauer Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2012 Colorado

    Even fresh maharaja has a bright honey malt character but the hop character of any DIPA is best ruined by the tincture of time. Check the label on every ipa my friend. It will pay off.
     
    StArnoldFan likes this.
  8. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    I have posted about Maharaja many times. It used to be my favorite IIPA, but Avery went at least a couple years without a release that was up to the old standard. The newest release (17) was excellant again, but a little too aged now. Maharaja like many (if not most) IIPAs gets rather cloying with age. But some people like it aged. You will find old ones on the shelf.
     
  9. barleyswine

    barleyswine Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Kansas

    I age them for a while or I drink 'em fresh
     
  10. WhiteJordan

    WhiteJordan Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2012 Washington

    I had Mahajara last summer and it was terrible. It was a sweet, malty and bitter mess. Then we got it on draft at the bottle shop I work at and it was amazing! I believe bottle age is huge for this beer
     
    EyePeeAyBryan likes this.
  11. logan0203

    logan0203 Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Just got a case of bombers that were brewed 2 months ago. Absolutely worth the money.
     
  12. DerekMorgan

    DerekMorgan Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    Thanks guys, I'll keep an eye out for a fresh one and give it a second go
     
  13. jzeilinger

    jzeilinger Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,847) Dec 4, 2004 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agree and not. I'm blown away by the number of brewers who create amazing IPA's/D-IPA's and don't bottle/can date; for those who don't, game over unless I live close enough to the brewery and know what I'm getting. I've had Maharaja on tap that has been mind blowing and I've also had it past it's prime which was a drain pour. Not all brewers date their labels and for IPA's that's a big problem because you'll never know by looking at the label. ("Bottled/Canned On" dates are always better than a "Best By" date which I think is a universal "given" but can't speak for everyone.)
     
    SammyJaxxxx likes this.
  14. Roudy1

    Roudy1 Initiate (0) Sep 29, 2012 Iowa

    I recently picked a bottle of this up. It says Batch 17 2013. I can't seem to find a bottling date or code anywhere on the bottle. Where is it usually?
     
  15. patrickcmcd

    patrickcmcd Initiate (0) Dec 25, 2010 Massachusetts

    Had this on draft 2 weeks ago in Salem, Ma. I was really blown away compared to the bottle experience. An excellent DIPA with the malt barely there, mostly citrus. I know a lot of people complain about the mouth feel but it was fantastic.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.