bells black note.

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by heybuddy19, Oct 1, 2015.

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  1. heybuddy19

    heybuddy19 Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Indiana

    I have a bells black note 2014. I was nervous of opening it to early. How long should I let it set or is it good now?
     
  2. Mipper

    Mipper Pundit (986) Dec 14, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    It is fantastic whenever you open it up!
     
    fredmugs likes this.
  3. DrDemento456

    DrDemento456 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,439) May 15, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Definitely keep it for a while. Every year the don't bottle it the price with double from "rare"
     
  4. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    In all seriousness, Black Note was "ready to drink" last March. I was floored by how good it was fresh, and I have a hard time believing that it would improve that much by aging. It might smooth out a bit, but not necessarily "improve."

    Bell's and Founder's have a similar MO of releasing their beer with the intention that you should be able to drink it now. But like @Mipper noted, it's going to be fantastic whenever.
     
    Mipper likes this.
  5. Yargamo

    Yargamo Initiate (0) Jun 9, 2015 New York

    Even if stop it gets and good
     
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  6. c64person

    c64person Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2010 Michigan

    We just had '12 and '14 the other night, '14 still has almost a slight 'hop bite' to it, but '12 is smooth as silk. If you have never had Black Note OP, drink it now and find another bottle to sit on for a while.
     
  7. TboneRN

    TboneRN Initiate (0) Mar 30, 2014 Minnesota

    I don't think black note ages well...I enjoy it fresh the best, tends to loose flavor with time in my opinion
     
    Rodosman likes this.
  8. Gemmell

    Gemmell Initiate (0) Nov 29, 2014 Illinois

    Drink it, damn you! Drink it all!
     
  9. pmoney

    pmoney Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2011 Illinois

    I don't think Black Note gets bad with a year or two of age, but I don't really think it improves with time either. I prefer drinking Black Note within the first 18 months or so. Whereas BCBS I definitely like better with a little age.
     
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  10. archiebunkerjr

    archiebunkerjr Pundit (910) Oct 25, 2010 Michigan
    Trader

    I got a case of the 2014 bottles. They were damn good fresh. However, the last one I had about 6 months ago was a soy sauce bomb. I have four bottles left. I want to compare them to the next batch of Black Note to be bottled.
     
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  11. McWayne

    McWayne Initiate (0) Feb 5, 2014 New York

    As is so often nearly always suggested if you haven't had it before drink it up. You won't know know or be able to fully appreciate the differences in the newer/aged if you haven't had it first fresh[ish]. I had a '14 last fall and it was sensational. I was thrilled that it lived up to my expectations. Had a '12 back in August and had most certainly 'mellowed'. Certainly doesn't go through the transformations that BCBS is famous for going through.
     
  12. ChicagoNick

    ChicagoNick Savant (1,012) Nov 16, 2012 Illinois
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    I like them better fresh
     
  13. EyePeeAyBryan

    EyePeeAyBryan Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2011 Arizona
    Trader

    I drank my 2012 just under 2 years from the bottling date and it was absolutely spectacular. Like many have said, pretty sure you can't open this "early" but I'd be willing to bet now or soon is a good time to crack it open.
     
  14. gcg49

    gcg49 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2014 Texas

    I had a bottle of 2014 in February of this year and thought it was great; lots of dark chocolate with a subtle bourbon flavor. Opened another bottle from the same 4 pack last weekend and it seemed a little over the hill. Sort of bland with a hint of diacetyl and not much bourbon character left. But take my observations with a grain of salt as I don't have a proper cellar and it has been sitting in a closet.
     
  15. Rodosman

    Rodosman Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2014 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    Same exact experience here. Managed to get a case. Fresh was just absolutely amazing, however last couple bottles had some hints of soy. Glad you voiced this, I thought my palate was playing terrible tricks on me.
     
    archiebunkerjr likes this.
  16. TBonez477

    TBonez477 Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2015 Vermont
    Trader

    +1 for ASAP. Had a '14 last night and finding that the barrel is fading fast, other flavors were not melding together great and got a slight 'dill' note in it. Not sure what that was all about but I don't think these will be getting better. Drink up!
     
  17. c64person

    c64person Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2010 Michigan

    Luckily I have not had that experience. had '12 and '14 side by side the other night, and both were drinking great. '14 tasted a little 'hoppier' still like fresh Expedition, and '12 was super smooth and mellow.

    Now if people would actually cellar their beers instead of calling a closet a cellar...
     
    Prager62 likes this.
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