Bell's 30th Anniversary: One Year Later

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Hop-Droppen-Roll, Aug 31, 2016.

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  1. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    What's everyone's experience been with aging this awesome beer? I drank several over the course of several months after the release and it was always amazing, but the other day I pulled one out and realized the bottling date would be 1 year old the following day - and I almost felt as though it was not as good as it was fresh. Maybe a fluke. Maybe my tastebuds were off that day (I've had a bit of a cold). On the other hand, I once watched a video of a guy reviewing 8 years of Expo Stout, and he actually felt that the 1 year old was the worst (or, least awesome) of the bunch.
     
    #1 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Aug 31, 2016
  2. dscott421

    dscott421 Crusader (459) Jun 13, 2013 Kentucky
    Trader

    I had one about a month ago and thought it was phenomenal, much improved from the one I had fresh when purchased. I have about 5 more that hopefully I'll be able to open on each "birth" day. If you thought the several you drank before were "amazing" but this one wasn't, I'd say it's your tastebuds....
     
    #2 dscott421, Aug 31, 2016
  3. FlaviusG

    FlaviusG Zealot (637) Aug 15, 2009 Illinois
    Trader

    I've got 4 left...will try one soon.
     
    #3 FlaviusG, Sep 1, 2016
  4. smi69

    smi69 Maven (1,419) Apr 8, 2014 New York
    Trader

    I also had one the other day at the 1 year mark and thought it had gotten better. Did not realize
    until I looked and it was 8 29 15. I drank 3 six packs over the year and have 2 sixes left. looking forward to the rest.
     
    #4 smi69, Sep 2, 2016
    Hop-Droppen-Roll likes this.
  5. dragonaut

    dragonaut Initiate (0) May 29, 2005 Iowa

    Same as the others…had a week or two ago and much enjoyed and thought it had improved. That said, I don't get any of the massive hop presence/bitterness like Expedition to suggest it'll go 5-7+ years like it does. I am very eager to know what it tastes like in another year or two!
     
    #5 dragonaut, Sep 3, 2016
    Jmorey likes this.
  6. Junior

    Junior Pooh-Bah (1,883) May 23, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I didn't get a chance to have any fresh. Fortunately Bell's recently released some to the Mid-Michigan area. Bottled 8/27/15. Again, not sure how it tasted fresh, but it is fantastic one year later. I doubt any of these will make it to see their second 'birthday'.
     
    #6 Junior, Sep 10, 2016
  7. phildow

    phildow Crusader (407) Jan 6, 2013 Michigan

    I don't know if I just didn't take enough notes, but I feel like the ones I consumed over the past year didn't really exhibit many signs of aging. Luckily, I've got a case to experiment with.
     
    #7 phildow, Sep 12, 2016
  8. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    After having some fresh and aged Narwhal recently, I'm honestly thinking that I'm picking up on stouts differently, like my taste-buds have adjusted. All I can do is keep experimenting I guess :grinning:
     
    #8 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2016
  9. gibgink

    gibgink Pooh-Bah (1,581) Oct 27, 2014 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I cracked the 4th of 6 right around the same time OP did and found that the big, strong bitter notes prevalent when I drank it fresh have fallen off and the sweeter notes remain.
     
    #9 gibgink, Sep 29, 2016
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