Beer Shelf Life (Hopslam)

I just realized that I have 8 Hopslam beers left in my stash that were bottled late December 2013. First, what are the chances they are still drinkable? They been stored dark and cold. This thread doesn't give me tons of hope.

Secondly, any one have any experience doing something like http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/...-infuse-beer-with-hops-spices-cocoa-nibs.html and if so any recommendations for fun things to try with my 5 month old Hopslams.

Cheers!

 

It's drinkable, just a matter of whether you like how it changed or not. I'd drink one just normally, and if you like it rinse and repeat, if not, why not try the infusion? Curious how that works out if you go that route.

 

I opened the bottle and poured it into a New Belgium globe glass. I could tell right away from the smell that the beer had definitely changed. The hop aroma was pretty much gone and replaced with a much more boozey honey malty smell. The taste was way different, again the booziness was the pronounced flavor. I didn't really care for it but I drank it slowly over about 1/2 hour. I think I'll give the infusion a try on my remaining stock.

I sent Bell's a tweet and their reply was:

 

already still

Anyhow, I was saving my last one for a friend that I for sure knew would enjoy it...He never had time to make it out to my place despite saying he would..I made several empty threats thinking "sure, a little more time won't hurt" and now everytime I open the fridge it just sits there mocking, ridiculing me.

Which is ok, because apparently according to some - a miracle has happened, and an IPA has been converted into a barleywine, all within the confines of my fridge. Feeling blessed.

 

i had some 2 weeks ago that has been kept cold and it was pretty good. had some from the same case that was kept at cellar temp and it was gross.

 

I haven't found an IPA/DIPA that I have liked aged as compared to fresh yet. YMMV. I've had older Hopslam and the honey and sweetness is too much for me. Also, people, I would recommend storing your IPAs in a fridge, not your cellar.

 

Yup

I went to a bar last night, and they had just recently tapped their keg of Hopslam. Naturally, I ordered a glass. The thing that was missing most from the beer was the hop aromatics (the dominant notes of grapefruit I would get fresh was barely even making an appearance), but the bitterness was still there, and I thought it melded well with the malty sweetness. While I'm sure that none of you guys that would still have Hopslam don't have a keg that is stored in a very cold fridge, you should feel free to order it on tap if you have any other bars around you like this one I was at.

 

I actually kind of like my Hopslam aged a couple months. Mellows it out a bit, and becomes a little more enjoyable.

 

I have kind of started to enjoy slightly aged IPAs. Am I crazy?

 

I had a '14 Hopslam (1/11) last night actually. Been in the back of my fridge since ~1/27? So not cellared.

While most of the catty grapefruit nose was gone, it still drinks dank and grapefruity. A lot of the peppery meady flavors from the honey have mellowed and blended with the malt which I really like. Very drinkable and no booziness.

So IMO, it is one of the few IPAs worth trying with some age, but I'm glad I drank the majority of my case within the first month. Cheers