Baladin Xyauyu Gold

My question here is whether refrigeration is necessary. Can I re-cork and keep in my cellar, my liquor cupboard, or on a shelf? Will sunlight affect it?

I have a bottle of the Copper, and I am tempted to open it, but I want to know storage after opening.

 

I actually kept mine in a closet (65-70 degrees). I wouldn't bother keeping it in the fridge as the flavors will likely come off as muted if the liquid is too cold. Room temperature is absolutely perfect.

As far as sunlight goes...you probably wouldn't want to leave it out in your window display or patio or anything like that. Just keep it in the box that it comes in and face it towards a corner or something.

 

Funny right after I read this thread I ran into a bar doing 1.5oz pours of Copper for $7 and I almost went for it...

Is it really good enough to warrant that price?

 

How do you really feel? Please feel free to vent. Its wedsnesday.

Cheers!

 

I'll let you know tonight.

I just figured that due to it already being oxidized, that it wouldn't be too bad out on a shelf. I keep my living room pretty dimly lit, so I would assume that it'd probably be fine, and even if I keep it in my cellar, I'm definitely not putting it back in the box once opened, that thing's a hassle.

 

Oxidization and skunking are two different reactions that create entirely different flavor profiles. Oxidization is the amount of exposure that it has to air (think cardboard, in this case....this is what makes the beer special...they already went through the trouble of oxidizing it for you).

Skunking is the reaction of hops exposure to light (think of the aromas/flavors you pick up from a Heineken or an improperly handled bottle of Saison Dupont).

 

I've bought bottles of all three, as well as xfume (which I actually enjoyed the most), and obviously (because I keep going back for more) really enjoyed them. It's a total extravagance, yes, and probably not one that everyone would think worthwhile. But one day when you're in an extravagant mood you should at least head back to that bar to try the small pour. After that you can decide if you want to waste a month's beer money on a bottle.

 

Would you pay $10 for a glass of port with dessert? Same idea...

It's expensive, but tasty.

 

i'd say no. it's really easy drinking, and you'll want more than 1.5oz. if you're really curious, spend the $40~50 on the bottle, so you can have at least 4~5oz at a time.

it's not really that 1.5oz isn't worth $7, but it's just not enough of this beer for a serving, IMO. 1.5~ oz of utopias is worth a steep price, b/c it's a lot bolder and more complex (bigger wow factor i guess). xyauyu is awesome, but i wouldn't go in for less than 4oz.

 

Utopias is definitely much better. That said, bars tend to serve 1.5oz Utopias pours for around $20-$25. He could get a 4.5oz serving of Xyauyu for $21. That's honestly not a terrible price for a bar.

 

What's the cost of the regular Xyauyù?

 

Wait nevermind, didn't realize it was retired.

 

Hmmm, if I am going to spend $21 for a decent pour I might as well spend the $45 on the full bottle. I definitely don't think I can get a good "feel" for the beer off a 1.5oz pour and any more than that I'm going down the slippery slope to getting the best "value" by buying the bottle.

 

Yeah. I mean, you're not going to dislike it. Just a question of whether or not you feel like ponying up $50 for a bottle of beer. At that price, I generally go port. Can't go wrong with a nice JW Lees for $10 either, if you really want to scratch that sweet barleywine itch.

 

I don't remember where or when I heard this (or necessarily how accurate it is), but I was told that the cost has a lot to do with the tax structure in Italy. Something along the lines of higher-than-usual taxes on craft beer in Italy, especially when they're exported...

 

This is definitely a special occasion purchase for me - vacation, birthday, etc. but I love every drop when I get it. It really is more like a sherry than any other beer, obviously because of the process, but it showcases (much like Utopias) how malt can act in ways that were previously associated with the grape. It really is a true crossover that could be used to get more high-end drinkers who tend to frown upon the world of beer to appreciate and open up their minds to the wide spectrum of our favorite malted beverage.

 

exactly, heck at Churchkey a 1.5 oz pour of Utopia was $20...

 

I was there and saw it also... including the Imperial Biscotti Break for $18 and I just couldn't pull the trigger either. There was lots in that store I just couldn't pull the trigger on..

 

I don't think there's a "regular" Xyauyù...just the "metal" designated ones (copper, silver, gold....which signify the varying levels of oxidation, respectively) and the Xfume (with tea leaves).

Retired? Where did you see that?